This week, we have…

• A fun fact inspired by Fictogram

• Answers to last week's games

• Reader survey

Tomb raiding is NOT a good career path

The phrase ‘tomb raider’ may bring to mind hidden artefacts, cobwebbed tunnels, and archaeologists with a propensity for wielding deadly weapons. You’re probably thinking of Indiana Jones, or Lara Croft (Fictogram guest #506), two iconic fictional tomb raiders from pop culture whose adventures in all corners of the world yielded buried treasures and ancient civilizations. But did you know that tomb raiding is alive and well, and actually a big threat to legitimate archaeological research? 

According to some investigations, a huge proportion of archaeological sites have been ransacked. Over 50% of Maya sites in Belize have been looted, and nearly half the Buddhist shrines and stupas in northern Pakistan have been damaged or destroyed by illegal excavations. Tomb raiders in Italy have been caught smuggling and selling looted goods to museums, earning them millions of dollars.

Looting has caused archaeologists excavating newly discovered sites to keep their discoveries top secret until all activities are complete, lest they unintentionally advertise a new treasure trove to hopeful thieves. One such site, a 1200 year old tomb discovered in Peru, was excavated in secrecy for months, and unearthed 1000 artifacts, gold jewelry, and 60 bodies including three queens of the Wari civilization. Because most tombs are looted, much of Wari history remains a mystery, something that archaeologists are hoping to combat with their explorations of untouched sites.

So what separates archaeologists from tomb raiders? It’s an interesting question, especially given that there is no rule for when an object becomes a historically significant artifact. Of course, archaeologists undertaking excavations usually have permits from the local government, with rules outlining what constitutes legal excavation. The intent behind excavation and tomb raiding is also important - archaeologists are motivated by piecing together human history, while tomb raiders are often motivated by profiting off the black market. As far as Lara Croft is concerned, whether she could face legal consequences for raiding would likely come down to whether she received permits from local governments for her excavations - something the games have been notably silent on.

Learn more: National Geographic, Smithsonian's National Zoo, Discover Wildlife

Trivia

Answers to last week's games

Monday, April 7 to Sunday, April 13.

Linxicon

The following are the shortest paths from last week:

• #419 depression → upset → shocked → surprisingly

• #420 population → overpopulation → pollution → sickness → sick

• #421 everything → something → someone → actor

• #422 behind → position → territory → colonial

• #423 juice → squeeze → narrow → distant

• #424 spin → spinning → selling → buyer

• #425 circle → round → roundly → totally → certainly

• #426 Play now!

Elemingle

• #75 Hassium

• #76 Germanium

• #77 Bohrium

• #78 Thorium

• #79 Moscovium

• #80 Gold

• #81 Cerium

• #82 Play now!

Forgeous

Play Forgeous for Apr 14