Archaeologist Carl Feagans traces the rise of pseudo-archaeology and its role as a “gateway drug” to larger conspiracy theories. He opens by examining the Cerutti Mastodon claims, outlandish assertions of a 130,000-year-old American mastodon, showing how selective evidence and sensational headlines drive false narratives. Listeners will hear Carl dissect the methodology of amateur “myth hunters” and contrast it with rigorous field practices.
We also chat about prohibition-era moonshine stills unearthed in the backwoods, where Carl shares stories of discovering hidden distilleries and connecting them to local oral histories. He discusses the process of authenticating improvised copper pot stills, the nuances of dating illicit equipment, and how these finds offer a window into rural ingenuity and cultural resilience. Throughout, Carl emphasizes the value of peer review, structured community forums, and transparent reporting to keep real archaeology, and public trust, intact.
#Archaeology #Conspiracies #History
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00:00 Intro: Pseudo-Archaeology as a “Gateway Drug”
04:31 Cerutti Mastodon Site & 130,000-Year Claim
06:53 Extraordinary Claims Need Extraordinary Evidence
33:29 Provenance & Site Disturbance as Crime Scenes
35:23 Millimeter-Perfect Recording & Handheld LIDAR
36:08 LIDAR “Last-Bounce” Technique Explained
38:42 The “Casey Jones” Square Still Innovation
41:54 Discovering & Measuring a Hidden Still
45:17 Ethnography & Oral Traditions of Hollow Stills
59:58 Dinosaur Misconceptions & Archaeology vs. Paleontology