1. Is the author using history/archaeology as a plot device, a setting, part of a character, the tone, style, literary allusions, historical context, metaphor, simile? Give several examples of any of these categories from each example book/TV show. Is the author a historian or archaeologist (amateur or professional)? How does that inform or influence the use of history and archaeology in the book? Are there any differences between books about history/archaeology written by historians/archaeologists versus those books written by non-historians and non-archaeologists? Please quote from your sources.
2. Why is the author using history/archaeology in this novel/short story/film? Why do you think historical/archaeological information, characters and settings are so often used in detective fiction? What added value do these give to a story or film? Is it to a) educate readers/viewers, b) improve or increase the puzzle aspect of a plot, c) provide more interesting characters which the audience might relate to, d) focus on a topic of interest to the author, e) some combination of the above, f) anything else? Give examples. I am looking for at least two quotes and three examples from each book and TV show.
3. Is the information about historical events/persons, etc. accurate? Partially accurate? If there are inaccuracies, why? Give examples. (i.e. in Sherlock Holmes’ Musgrave Ritual, Conan Doyle makes up the idea that the Musgraves have the crown of Charles I. To this day, we do not know what happened to that crown, it was probably melted down.) What purpose would historical inaccuracies or embellishments serve for the audience? What do you learn about the past from this novel/film? Explain in detail? Are there differences in the way a book/short story presents historical information and/or the processes of historical/archaeological detection compared with the way a TV show/film does? What is the importance of knowing history accurately? How can embellishments of history in a detective story spur someone to understand history better? I am looking for at least two quotes and three examples from each book and TV show. You will have to also research in another secondary source the accuracy of the historical information depicted.
4. What are the processes of historical and archaeological detection? List and explain several critical thinking skills and technological devices/skills which are used. How similar are the processes of historical and archaeological detection to crime detection techniques in the late 20th and early 21st centuries? Give several examples of techniques and critical thinking skills used both by criminologists and historians/archaeologists. You will have to also research another secondary source to understand this answer.
