New 5* in Vault - Grecian Carolyn Palamas
robownage
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in The Bridge
4
Comments
Not that it makes sense, but I think the idea is that xeno is used when it applies specifically to a culture or alien species (another examples is xenolinguistics) while exo is used when it applies to other planets (like exobotany). In the case of archaeology, seems like either would apply? I guess since it could be your own species, but on another planet or prehistorical, archaeology wouldn't strictly be related to aliens even if you're on another planet?
But honestly, it's probably because writers are inconsistent.
They're broadly synonymous terms. Arguably, exo-archaeology would be the study of human activity on other worlds, and xeno-archaeology would be the study of alien activity. But it's a distinction that often isn't made.
From DS9 episode "Dax":
SISKO: If you can remember other things, remember that as well. What academic degrees do you hold, Lieutenant?
DAX: I hold Premier Distinctions in exobiology, zoology, astrophysics and exoarchaeology.
PICARD: Your published writings have been sporadic for the last decade. Your appearance at symposia has been rare, or scheduled and then cancelled at the last moment. The finest archaeologist of the century is now shrouded with a cloak of mystery.
PICARD: I had a long talk with Professor Galen last night. He asked me to leave the Enterprise, to join him in an archaeological expedition which could last for nearly a year.
CRUSHER: That must be tempting.
PICARD: I couldn't leave the Enterprise. But the offer raised in me certain feelings of regret.
CRUSHER: That you could have been an archaeologist and not a starship Captain?
So as usual looks like the Star Trek writers were inconsistent.
It seems to me that archaeology (the study of “ancient” cultures based on their artifacts) needs no prefix, but exo- seems fine. I’m not sure in a civilization spanning many star systems why you would want the specialty to exclude one planet (in Dax’s case, I assume that planet is Earth, assuming her degree is from Starfleet Academy?), but whatever. Xenoanthropology would be the study of the cultures of alien beings (as opposed to the study of your own cultures) and makes a lot more sense to me as a discipline, especially in the early days following first contact.
Also of interest, xenobiology has come to mean something different than the study of alien life: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenobiology
Edit: Since “exo-“ just means “outside” I suppose the context of Star Trek, it could mean “outside the Federation” instead of “outside Earth”.
I love the look of this pack!
I tend to agree, but also don't mind the distinction ... as one that can be explained by the different subject of study--living people vs. material culture. It also follows a tradition of essentially-synonyms being used to distinguish: archaeology and paleontology carry the same basic meaning from two different languages, but have become definitionally exclusive of one another (as anyone who's made the mistake of asking an archaeologist what dinosaurs they study will learn!)
Your insight serves you well. All of my rolls for Carolyn netted everyone else except her after waiting for another TOS character to arrive. Thankfully I managed to get some good load of 4* characters I'd missed from years earlier, but I'll have to wait for Crew Retrieval to get her.
I know the distinction well- Anthropology major and Geology minor (along with a Classics major and History, Ancient Studies, and Native American Studies minors [so basically I have four Bachelor's Degrees]