Routledge Box Office Archaeology: Refining Hollywood’s Portrayals of the Past

“How true is it?” is a common refrain of patrons coming out of movie theatres after the latest film on pirates, Vikings, or mummies. While Hollywood usurps the past for its own entertainment purposes, archaeologists and historians know a lot about many of these subjects, digging up stories often more fascinating than the ones projected on screen. This distinguished group of archaeologists select key subjects and genres used by Hollywood and provide the historical and archaeological depth that a movie cannot―what really happened in history. Topics include Egypt, the Wild West, Civil War submarines, Vikings, the Titanic, and others. The book should be of interest to introductory archaeology and American history classes, courses on film and popular culture, and to a general audience. Alternate Selection, History Book Club. Review 'Discerning audiences can tell the difference between Victorian and Edwardian dress, Viking longboats and Greek fishing boats. Archaeology has helped with the verisimilitude of sets and the background for the action; however, the tale drives the characters and the action, whether strictly true or mythic, and these are in the hands of script and director. Strong chapters by archaeologists look at the movies [...].The authors are master archaeologists and fans of the cinema--a fine combination. Summing Up: Highly recommended.' C.S. Peebles, CHOICE Magazine 'This curious book will appeal to archaeologists who are annoyed when Hollywood constructs fi lm plots that do not conform to their understanding of the evidences and, far more importantly, to teachers who intend to teach history through a commentary on filmic representations...Of course we can all be fascinated by film representations of our discipline, but ultimately technical critiques such as those found throughout Box Office Archaeology must been seen as statements about archaeology rather than about cinema.' Peter Hiscock, Australian Archaeology About the Author Julie M. Schablitsky's academic and research pursuits are launched from the University of Oregon, Museum of Natural and Cultural History where she holds an adjunct professorship and directs excavations on American pioneer sites and Oregon Chinatowns.