Over the last century, a new power narrative has emerged that warps archaeological data into a specific shape the way a magnet affects iron filings. It is the unspoken belief that humanity is on a journey from worse to better, from primitive to complex, uncivilized to civilized. Our civilization of perpetual war, total surveillance, obesity, runaway mental illness, overmedication, environmental degradation, widespread unemployment and scientific materialism has nothing to learn from the past because it is better. Enjoy that smartphone made by suicidal Taiwanese slave labour. Continue shopping….

Any attempts to consider our Palaeolithic ancestors as more advanced than
previously thought still carries the patronising tone of a complete stranger complimenting the artwork of a handicapped child. ‘Look at how clever our inferiors were,’ we say, as we die, fat and unhappy, waving our iPhones around for signal.

– Gordon White, Star.Ships