The Impact of Legendary Artifacts on Society and History

Archaeologist Kang Hyun-wook reveals that artifacts embody human history, often overshadowed by the pursuit of prestige and sensationalism.

### The Quest for Artifacts: Unraveling Human Desires and Forgery Incidents
* 🔍 Archaeologist Kang Hyun-wook explores the significance of legendary artifacts and the human motivations driving their pursuit, highlighting the contrast between the **romanticized view of archaeology** and its often **harsh realities**.
* 📜 The difference between archaeology and history lies in their materials; archaeology focuses on **physical remnants**, revealing a **more extensive human history** that exceeds the recorded past of merely **5,000 years**.
* ⚓ A notable case involves a cannon excavated in 1992, linked to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, which sparked excitement in South Korea but later faced **allegations of forgery**, highlighting the **fragile nature of artifact authenticity**.
* 🕵 The investigation revealed that improper actions by those in charge led to the **compromise of the cannon's status as a national treasure**, raising questions about the **processes behind artifact designation**.
* 🌍 The quest for artifacts isn't limited to Korea; global incidents, such as the **Holy Shroud**, showcase how relics can **stir faith and controversy**, with scientific tests revealing its **likely medieval origins** rather than a direct connection to Jesus.
* 🏺 The Silk Road serves as a historical backdrop for the **competitive looting and forging of artifacts**, where explorers often **exploited local populations**, driven by the desire for **prestige and sensational discoveries**.
* 💡 Ultimately, the pursuit of artifacts reflects a **deeper human desire for recognition and honor**, emphasizing that the true value lies not in the artifacts themselves but in the **stories and people behind them**.
* 📚 By shifting focus from the artifacts to the **human connections they represent**, we may find a **more profound appreciation for our shared history** and lessen the significance of forgeries.

### The Impact of Legendary Artifacts and the Role of Archaeology
Legendary artifacts have a powerful allure, driving people to seek them out for their **potential to reveal hidden histories**. Archaeologists work in challenging conditions to uncover physical remnants of the past, which are **crucial for understanding human history**. The difference between archaeology and history lies in their materials, with archaeology focusing on the **physical remnants left by humans**, making it **essential for uncovering the majority of our human history**.

### The Significance of Excavations in Understanding History
Excavations aim to uncover everything left by humans, with recent discoveries also related to the **cosmos**. The excavation of a cannon in 1992, engraved with characters for **defeat**, caused a stir in South Korea and was linked to **Admiral Yi Sun-sin**. However, the investigation into the artifact's authenticity revealed **improper actions by the excavation team**, leading to a **scandal**.

### The Controversial Designation of the Turtle Ship as a National Treasure
The turtle ship from the Joseon Dynasty, known for its **excellent preservation** and distinct designation as a **battleship**, was controversially designated as a **national treasure** in an **unprecedentedly short time**. The evaluation process, based on a **brief assessment**, raised concerns about the **integrity of the designation**. The ongoing debate over forgery incidents and the significance of relics, such as the **Holy Shroud**, highlights the **complexity of cultural heritage preservation** and the need for **thorough evaluation**.

### The Controversial History of a Sacred Cloth
The cloth's bloodstains and resemblance to **Jesus' crucifixion** have sparked **deep emotions and worldwide fame** since the 14th century. Scientific tests in 1988 revealed its true age, dating from the **13th to 14th century**, not from Jesus' time. The cloth's significance is tied to the **conversion of Northern Europeans** and the search for **sacred artifacts**, while the Silk Road's history is marked by **conflict over territory** in the early 20th century.

### The Competitive Looting of Artifacts
Explorers in the past competed fiercely to loot and discover artifacts, causing **harm to the local indigenous people**. The Silk Road was a hub for artifact trading, with **written inscriptions driving intense competition** among explorers. The Taklamakan Desert's treacherous nature led many to **risk their lives for character notes**, which were then combined and sold, while a renowned linguist named Richard later **deciphered ancient languages and the spirits' incantation** in the area.

### The Ahu 4 Forgery Incident and Its Implications
Stein, an explorer, uncovered the Ahu 4 forgery and obtained a confession, highlighting the **exploitative attitude of explorers towards local people** and the **ruthless theft of artifacts by Europeans**. The pursuit of artifacts is driven by a **desire for prestige and honor**, often overshadowing their **true significance**. Recognizing that the value lies in the **people who created the artifacts**, rather than the artifacts themselves, can **diminish their perceived importance**.

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