--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In archaeology, context is the basis of…" description: "\"In archaeology, context is the basis of many discoveries that are imputed to the deliberate workings of intelligence. If I find a rock chipped in such ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a0/seth-shostak-2047_am_in-archaeology-context-is-the-basis-of-m_2664402.png" --- # In archaeology, context is the basis of many discoveries… ![“In archaeology, context is the basis of many discoveries that are imputed to the deliberate workings of intelligence. If I find a rock chipped in such a way as to give it a sharp edge, and the discovery is made in a cave, I am seduced into ascribing this to tool use by distant, fetid and furry…” quote by Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a0/seth-shostak-2047_am_in-archaeology-context-is-the-basis-of-m_2664402.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a0/seth-shostak-2047_am_in-archaeology-context-is-the-basis-of-m_2664402.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a0/seth-shostak-2047_am_in-archaeology-context-is-the-basis-of-m_2664402.png) > “In archaeology, context is the basis of many discoveries that are imputed to the deliberate workings of intelligence. If I find a rock chipped in such a way as to give it a sharp edge, and the discovery is made in a cave, I am seduced into ascribing this to tool use by distant, fetid and furry ancestors.” [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Context determines whether artifacts are seen as natural or intentional, shaping our interpretations of ancient behavior. **In simple terms:** Context decides if we see tools or natural rocks. Key Takeaway Examine surrounding evidence before assuming intelligence. Themes archaeology interpretation human cognition Mood analytical skeptical Type interpretive scientific When to use this quote - museum curation - field excavation - academic publishing Key Concepts cognitive bias artifact analysis Questions to Reflect On - How does context influence our perception of ancient technology? - What safeguards prevent misinterpretation of natural objects? A Different Perspective Context alone cannot prove intelligence without corroborating data. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ancestors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancestors/) [Archaeology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/archaeology/) [Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cave/) [Context](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/context/) [Deliberate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deliberate/) [Discoveries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discoveries/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Edge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/edge/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/research/) [Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rock/) ## Related quotes > [“There are people who like cute, furry things and people who eat cute, furry things -Issy, pag. 53”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-jones/there-are-people-who-like-cute-furry-things-and-people-who-eat-cute/) [Carrie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-jones/) > [I can't tell you how much we laughed on the set to have Alec Guinness in a scene with a big, furry dog that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hamill/i-can-t-tell-you-how-much-we-laughed-on-the-set-to-have-alec-guinness/) [Mark Hamill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hamill/) > [“The smell of oil in the air was huge and furry.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-smell-of-oil-in-the-air-was-huge-and-furry/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“Holy furry crap balls! 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