Xenoarchaeology

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Xenoarchaeology (also known as exoarchaeology) is a protoscience that exists mostly in science fiction works, mainly those that have to do with space exploration like Star Trek. The name derives from Greek Xenos (ξένος) which means 'stranger, alien', and archaeology 'study of ancients'.

Xenoarchaeology is concerned with the physical remains of alien cultures. These may be found on planets which have been inhabited or visited by extraterrestrials (who eventually became extinct or left) before the coming of human explorers or colonists.

The study of alien cultures might offer us glimpses into our own species' past or future development [1].

Fictional works with xenoarchaeological themes

Novels

• 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
• Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke
• Wasteland Of Flint by Thomas Harlan
• House of Reeds by Thomas Harlan
• Broken Angels by Richard Morgan
• Strata by Terry Pratchett
• Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds
• Grass by Sheri S. Tepper
• The Voyage of the Space Beagle by A. E. van Vogt

Short stories

• Omnilingual by H. Beam Piper
• The Sentinel (short story) by Clarke

Computer games

• Freelancer
• The Dig
• Doom 3*

Movies

• Alien
• Stargate
• Doom

Television

• Babylon 5
• Star Trek
• Stargate
• Doctor Who

See also

• Archaeology
• Astrobiology
• Astrosociobiology
• SETT
• Xenolinguistics
• List of fictional xenoarchaeologists

References

• Diggers at the final frontier Charles Thomas, British Archaeology, no. 11, Feb. 1996: Essay
• Star Trek digging Carolyne Kershaw, British Archaeology, no. 15, Jun. 1996: Letters

External links

• Xenoarchaeology