Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
New York : Scholastic Inc., 1993, c1979.
Description
It is the year 4022; all of the ancient country of Usa has been buried under many feet of detritus from a catastrophe that occurred back in 1985. Imagine, then, the excitement that Howard Carson, an amateur archeologist at best, experienced when in crossing the perimeter of an abandoned excavation site he felt the ground give way beneath him and found himself at the bottom of a shaft, which, judging from the DO NOT DISTURB sign hanging from an archaic doorknob, was clearly the entrance to a still-sealed burial chamber. Carson's incredible discoveries, including the remains of two bodies, one of then on a ceremonial bed facing an altar that appeared to be a means of communicating with the Gods and the other lying in a porcelain sarcophagus in the Inner Chamber, permitted him to piece together the whole fabric of that extraordinary civilization.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member orangejulia
It's really hard to describe this book. The book documents an archaelogical expedition excavating a generic cheap hotel. If you love documentaries showing you "Secrets of Egyptian Tombs" and such, you'll think this is hilarious. The archaeologist's analysis of the contents of the hotel room, and
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what the artificats are (a toilet seat thought to be a ceremonial object meant to be worn). Utterly hliarious. Show Less
LibraryThing member mmyoung
A light, enjoyable and well illustrated book that can be enjoyed on two levels. For children and young adults it is just a fun story. For adults who are aware of the history of archeology and cultural anthropology the text and illustrations carry secondary amusing insights and references.
LibraryThing member kimreadthis
What a great premise - humans of the far-off future excavate a hotel from the United States from the 1970s/1980s. It wasn't very well executed and didn't hold my interest. While obviously it was all meant in jest, the conclusions drawn by the archaeologists are ridiculous and only very minimally
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supported by the actual physical evidence. It was not my type of humor. Show Less
LibraryThing member IreneF
Parodies not only archaeological reconstructions, but archaeologists (Howard Carter), imagery (e.g. Sophia Schliemann wearing the "Jewels of Helen", museums....
LibraryThing member Antares1
This is a very short book. I would imagine it is supposed to be geared to a younger audience. It involves the interpretations of 41st century archeologist in excavating a Motel 6 type roadside Motel. The excavation begins as satire of the opening of King Tut's tomb, and also has a send up of
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Schleiman's discovery of Troy. There are many amusing scenes were common objects are interpreted as religious artifacts. Show Less
LibraryThing member TessaSlingerland
The idea is good; sometime in the faraway future an archaeologist stumbles upon a twentieth century motel and tries to explain his finds. It makes you think about the way archaeological finds are explained nowadays. But after a few pages it becomes a bit of a trick. Look around in your own house
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and try to think of what someone from another time would think your stuff is used for. Show Less
LibraryThing member rebecca401
A perfect introduction to the study of history, this book chronicles the work of an amateur archaeologist in the year 4022 as he unearths the remains of a motel from the late 20th century. He pronounces it a tomb and makes inferences about burial rites. Common objects become objects of great
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reverence. Show Less
LibraryThing member maxwestart
Not only is this satirical tale excellent, but the pen & ink artwork of David Macaulay is just exquisite!
LibraryThing member BruceCoulson
According to the author, the book was based on various students of archeology reports that extrapolated from basic facts to wild flights of fancy that were sometimes amusing...but had no basis in the artifacts that had been found. And so it is with Motel of the Mysteries; Howard Carson stumbles
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(literally) into a major find of 20th Century America artifacts, and draws some amazing (and hilarious) conclusions from his finds. A fun eye-opener about archeology and our knowledge of the past. Show Less
LibraryThing member ex_ottoyuhr
It was once observed that if the standard terminology of archaeology was applied to the 20th century, we would speak of the 1945 invasion of Europe by the Washing-Machine People.
This book takes that insight and runs with it.
This book takes that insight and runs with it.
LibraryThing member lycomayflower
An illustrated novella telling the story of archaeologists in the far future excavating the North American country of Usa. Focuses on a "burial site" (a motel room) and illustrates and speculates about all the artifacts found within. The speculations are wildly off base. I think this is meant to be
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a commentary on modern life and the way we idolize things we shouldn't? Not sure. The commentary about archaeology itself was obvious but seemed more jokey than satirical. It kind of missed the mark for me (and felt a little dated--maybe because we idolize different things wrongly now or in different ways than we did in 1979 when the book was published?). It was mildly amusing, and the way the illustrations and the text played on one another was fun. But I have to say I'm somewhat bemused. Show Less
LibraryThing member Huaquera
Treating an old motel like the tomb of King Tut.
LibraryThing member riselibrary_CSUC
It is the year 4022; all of the ancient country of Usa has been buried under many feet of detritus from a catastrophe that occurred back in 1985. Imagine, then, the excitement that Howard Carson, an amateur archeologist at best, experienced when in crossing the perimeter of an abandoned excavation
Show More
site he felt the ground give way beneath him and found himself at the bottom of a shaft, which, judging from the DO NOT DISTURB sign hanging from an archaic doorknob, was clearly the entrance to a still-sealed burial chamber. Carson's incredible discoveries, including the remains of two bodies, one of then on a ceremonial bed facing an altar that appeared to be a means of communicating with the Gods and the other lying in a porcelain sarcophagus in the Inner Chamber, permitted him to piece together the whole fabric of that extraordinary civilization. Show Less
Awards
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 1979)
Language
Original publication date
1979
Physical description
95 p.; 29 cm
ISBN
0590472364 / 9780590472364
DDC/MDS
| 818.5407 |
Other editions
Motel of the Mysteries by David Macaulay (Paper Book)