|
author |
Maxxe Albert-Deitch
| title |
Controlling the Narrative: How National Mythology and Archaeology Shaped Identity in Modern-Day Israel
| abstract |
It's widely acknowledged in anthropology, folklore, and most other disciplines that myth is
the backbone of belief. Myth becomes history, which in turn becomes truth, which becomes the
bedrock upon which our ideologies and substantive existences are built. The same rhetorical
methods that served as a basis for cultural cohesion two thousand years ago work just as well now
for binding countries together through national myth. The same act that creates a sense of
cohesion also inherently creates a sense of exclusion—the creation of a national founding mythos
often creates a myth of exclusion—'this is our land, not theirs.' Archaeology, religion, and the
narrative history of cultural cohesion (and division) come together to help explain the way that
myth and history interact within the context of state formation and border enforcement. This
discussion of narrative, myth, and archaeology's role in crafting identity, history, and national
borders points to two main arguments: first; that narrative and storytelling are far more important
to history than many believe, and second; that there should perhaps be more oversight and
criticism when evaluating the use of archaeology and antiquities departments in governmental
affairs. This thesis uses in-depth analyses of actions taken and methodology used at three
controversial archaeological sites (the Old City of Jerusalem, the Masada fortress, and Khirbet
Qumran) to discuss cultural cohesion and the definition of "homeland" in relation to the modern
state of Israel.
| school |
The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University
| degree |
B.A. (2021)
|
advisor |
Allan Dawson
|
committee |
Jonathan Golden Kimberly Rhodes
|
full text | MAlbert-Deitch.pdf |
| |