We Came on a Spaceship: Examining Pseudoarchaeology’s Place in and Out of this World with Stephanie Halmhofer. Working with BAR Publishing, this book explores pseudoarchaeological claims like those presented in the TV show Ancient Apocalypse. Though these themes have been a common inclusion in popular culture for decades, the show and its controversies brought fresh attention to pseudoarchaeology and how pseudoarchaeological themes find their way into popular culture and gain the curiosity of many viewers. The show also raised discussions on the impact and influence of pseudoarchaeology beyond the pages and screens of its popular culture representations. Although the shows found on the History Channel are perhaps the most visible representations, these views have existed for a long time and have a wide reach into various fields. Taking an interdisciplinary approach to the issues redolent within pseudoarchaeology, this collection seeks to bring together a team of scholars from multiple disciplines to address the breadth of ways in which pseudoarchaeological thoughts have existed throughout history. The mission of this volume is not simply to debunk these stories; rather, this volume will seek to explore pseudoarchaeology’s place in the world through theoretical analysis and discussion of contemporary/historical case studies.
Conspiracy Theories and the Information Society with Matthew Hannah. will explore the ways in which information has become a frontline in the battle over truth and reality. In a time when information is an essential component structuring online life, we also see the rise and viral spread of conspiracy theories. This collection, in conjunction with Berghahn Books, will bring together important scholars from different disciplinary perspectives to offer a thorough analysis of the impact that conspiracy theories and mis/disinformation have on the information society. We are living in an age of unprecedented information overload, and the importance of being able to properly sift through incomplete data, misinformation and disinformation is overwhelming. Essays will apply a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and it is the goal of this collection to engage the pervasive challenges offered by conspiracy culture within a society completely reliant on digital information. To address these major social issues, it is necessary to develop a multifaceted strategy in order to combat them. Although librarians, scholars, and educators address various forms of literacy in their curricula, it is vital to examine the issues inherent in conspiracy culture through a multiplicity of lenses to analyze the massive social and political issues facing us in a time of information abundance.
Robert Spinelli 