The study of the past is never truly past. It’s a dynamic conversation, constantly reshaped by new discoveries, evolving methodologies, and – crucially – our present-day concerns. Recent work in the humanities, particularly over the last week, demonstrates this vividly. A surge of detailed archaeological documentation, coupled with renewed critical examinations of historical injustices and the very nature of power, is forcing a re-evaluation of how we understand ourselves and our place in the long arc of history. This isn’t simply about adding new facts to the record; it’s about fundamentally altering the questions we ask.
The Silent Voices of Tell Basta
A remarkable trend is the increasing granularity of archaeological documentation, made possible by digital tools and a commitment to open science. Dirk Beckers’ work on the Ushabti collections [1, 3, 4] exemplifies this. Ushabtis – small funerary figurines intended to perform labor in the afterlife – were ubiquitous in ancient Egypt, but Beckers isn’t simply cataloging them. He’s creating a meticulously documented, digitally accessible record of each object, including detailed descriptions, material analysis, inscription records, UV examination results, and even 3D models. The publication of Ushabti UB-014, a faience figure of Hori I, Viceroy of Kush [1], is part of a larger project to establish a “transparent, versioned, and citable object record.” This is a significant shift. Traditionally, archaeological knowledge resided in museum collections and published reports, often inaccessible to researchers. Beckers’ approach, leveraging platforms like Zenodo, democratizes access and allows for continuous refinement of understanding.
The Art of ‘Defensive Provenance’
Beyond mere description, Beckers’ catalog emphasizes provenance – the history of ownership and movement of the objects. He explicitly adopts a “defensive, source-critical approach,” acknowledging the ethical complexities of collecting and the importance of tracing an object’s journey. This is particularly poignant given the history of looting and illicit trade in antiquities. Importantly, the catalog also includes openly identifying suspected modern reproductions [4], a practice that promotes transparency and scholarly rigor. Ushabti UB-006, a terracotta figure, reveals a fascinating case of ancient “usurpation” – the deliberate erasure of an original owner’s inscription and replacement with another [3]. UV fluorescence examination confirmed the epigraphic evidence of this act, offering a tangible link to the motivations and practices of individuals in the ancient world. This isn't just about identifying who owned an object, but understanding how they actively reshaped its meaning.
The Doctrine of Discovery: A Five-Century Shadow
While Beckers illuminates the material world of the ancient past, Steven T. Newcomb’s work [2] forces us to confront a far more recent – and deeply troubling – history. Newcomb meticulously details the Doctrine of Discovery, a medieval legal concept rooted in papal bulls that authorized European Christian nations to claim lands inhabited by non-Christians. This doctrine, he argues, wasn’t merely a historical quirk; it continues to underpin legal arguments used by the United States government to deny the rights of Native American Indians [2].
From Religious Justification to Modern Injustice
Newcomb’s research is a powerful example of how seemingly abstract theological concepts can have concrete, devastating consequences. The abstract states that Columbus’s act of possession was based on this doctrine, but the true weight of the argument lies in demonstrating its *persistence*. Five centuries later, the legal foundations of colonialism haven't simply disappeared; they’ve been subtly adapted and integrated into modern legal systems. This isn't just a historical grievance; it’s an ongoing injustice. The implications are profound, demanding a fundamental rethinking of land rights, sovereignty, and the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the state. Newcomb's work serves as a stark reminder that the past is not dead; it’s actively being invoked to justify present-day inequalities.
Power, Contingency, and the Illusion of the Despot
The question of power – its origins, its legitimacy, and its limitations – is a central theme in the humanities. Marc Richir’s philosophical essay, *La contingence du despote* [5], offers a provocative challenge to traditional understandings of state power. Richir argues against the common assumption that a society without a state inevitably descends into anarchy. Instead, he suggests that the very notion of a powerful, foundational leader is an ideological construct, used to legitimize coercion and present it as necessary for social order.
Deconstructing the 'Founding' of Society
Richir’s argument, rooted in a critical examination of political philosophy, challenges the “vulgata” – the widely accepted belief – that power is the *founder* of society. He posits that the idea of a powerful, exceptional individual establishing order is, in fact, an ideology designed to justify coercion. This resonates with contemporary debates about state surveillance, authoritarianism, and the erosion of civil liberties. By questioning the very foundations of state power, Richir opens up space for imagining alternative forms of social organization, ones that prioritize cooperation, mutual aid, and the dismantling of coercive structures. While the abstract is concise, the core argument—that power is not a prerequisite for society but rather a contingent imposition—is a significant contribution to political thought.
Bridging the Temporal Divide: Common Threads
These seemingly disparate strands of research – archaeological documentation, legal history, and political philosophy – are connected by a common thread: a critical engagement with the past and its implications for the present. Beckers’ meticulous work on the Ushabtis provides a window into the beliefs and practices of ancient Egyptians, while Newcomb’s research reveals how those beliefs, reinterpreted and repurposed, were used to justify colonialism and dispossession. Richir’s philosophical inquiry, in turn, challenges the very structures of power that enabled these injustices.
The detailed documentation of material culture, like the Ushabtis, isn’t simply an academic exercise. It’s a form of restitution – a reclaiming of agency for those whose voices have been silenced by history. Similarly, exposing the enduring legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery isn’t just about assigning blame; it’s about creating the conditions for genuine reconciliation and restorative justice. And questioning the foundations of state power isn’t about advocating for anarchy; it’s about demanding accountability and building a more equitable and just society.
What’s Next? The Bigger Picture
The current moment in the humanities is marked by a growing awareness of the interconnectedness of past and present, and a commitment to using scholarly research to address pressing social and political challenges. We can expect to see more work that combines rigorous historical analysis with critical theory, and that prioritizes accessibility and public engagement. The trend towards open science, exemplified by Beckers’ approach, will likely continue, fostering greater collaboration and accelerating the pace of discovery. Furthermore, the increasing use of digital tools – 3D modeling, data visualization, and machine learning – will open up new avenues for research and interpretation. But perhaps the most important development is a growing recognition that the humanities are not simply about understanding the past; they are about shaping the future.
References
- Dirk Beckers (2026). Beckers Collection (Aachen) - Ushabti UB-014: Ushabti of Hori I (Tell Basta). Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research).
- Newcomb, Steven T. (2026). Five Hundred Years of Injustice: The Legacy of Fifteenth Century Religious Prejudice. Open MIND.
- Beckers Dirk (2026). Beckers Collection (Aachen) - Ushabti UB-006: Usurped wooden ushabti with inscription. Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research).
- Dirk Beckers (2026). Beckers Collection (Aachen) - Catalog of Ushabtis and related funerary objects. Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research).
- Marc Richir (2026). La contingence du despote. Eikasía Revista de Filosofía.