How to grade students in a chaning world toward technology

 
In the current evaluation process, students typically provide answers to predetermined questions, and grades are assigned based on the correctness of these responses. However, considering the advancements in technology, there is now a capability for generating answers with ease. In light of this, I propose a shift in the assessment paradigm—moving beyond merely evaluating answers to also acknowledging and grading the questions students pose in any given context.

Voltaire's famous saying, "Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers," serves as an apt motto for this approach. Assessing students based on the quality, depth, and thoughtfulness of their questions not only reflects their intellectual engagement but also encourages a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. This method prioritizes critical thinking and inquiry skills, fostering an educational environment that values active participation and curiosity.

Embracing this perspective not only aligns with the current trajectory of educational philosophy but also recognizes the evolving nature of technology and its impact on the learning process. By encouraging students to pose meaningful questions, we aim to instill a deeper understanding and appreciation for the material, promoting a holistic approach to assessment.

Palippothana Megalithic Archaeoastronomy

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357242569_Astronomical_Orientations_of_the_Megalithic_Burials_of_Palippothana_Sri_Lanka

Thinking a furturistic archaeology and heritage management for Sri Lanka

 

Archaeology as a discipline is poised for a bright future, with exciting new directions and opportunities emerging. Here are some key trends that are shaping the future of archaeology:

1. Continued Convergence with Other Fields:

Archaeology is increasingly drawing insights from a wide range of disciplines, including anthropology, history, linguistics, biology, and environmental science. This interdisciplinary approach is leading to a more holistic understanding of the past, one that considers the interconnectedness of human societies with their environments, cultures, and technologies.

2. Integration of Digital Technologies:

Digital technologies are transforming archaeology, from data collection and analysis to interpretation and communication. Drones, 3D scanning, virtual reality, and other digital tools are enabling archaeologists to study sites and artifacts in greater detail, share their findings more effectively, and collaborate with colleagues worldwide.

3. Emphasis on Public Engagement:

Archaeology is moving beyond the confines of academic institutions and museums, engaging with the public in meaningful ways. Public archaeology projects, museum exhibitions, and educational initiatives are fostering a deeper appreciation for the past and its relevance to contemporary issues.

4. Focus on Global Challenges:

Archaeology is increasingly recognized for its potential to address global challenges, such as climate change, resource management, and cultural heritage preservation. Archaeologists are applying their expertise to develop sustainable practices, identify vulnerable sites, and promote cultural diversity.

5. Collaborative and Community-Driven Approaches:

Archaeological research is becoming more collaborative, involving stakeholders from diverse communities, including Indigenous groups, local governments, and citizen scientists. This participatory approach ensures that archaeological research is conducted with sensitivity, respect, and transparency.

As these trends continue to unfold, archaeology is positioned to play an increasingly important role in understanding the past, informing the present, and shaping a more sustainable future.

 Image (C) Thilanka M. Siriwardana

Employment issue: bootstrapping is essential 

 Addressing the employment issues for university archaeology and heritage management graduates in Sri Lanka requires a multi-faceted approach. What if we can adapting to following strategies to positively change the situation and expand the job market:

Public-Private Partnerships:

Foster collaborations between the government, private sector, and academia to create joint initiatives for archaeological and heritage management projects. This could include development projects that require heritage assessments or cultural tourism ventures.

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Support:

Encourage graduates to start their own archaeological consultancy or heritage management firms. Provide support through entrepreneurship programs, grants, and mentorship to help them establish and grow their businesses.

Cultural Tourism Development:

Advocate for the development of cultural tourism initiatives, creating opportunities for graduates to work as guides, curators, or consultants for heritage-related tourism projects. This can contribute to both economic growth and cultural preservation.

Digitization and Technology Integration:

Promote the use of digital technologies in archaeology, such as 3D modeling, virtual reality, and digital heritage documentation. Graduates skilled in these areas can find opportunities in digital heritage projects, educational platforms, and museum curation.

International Collaborations:

Facilitate partnerships with international organizations, universities, and research institutions. This can open avenues for graduates to participate in global archaeological projects, research collaborations, and cultural exchange programs.

Heritage Conservation and Restoration Projects:

Advocate for increased funding for heritage conservation and restoration projects. Graduates can be employed in roles related to artifact restoration, site preservation, and conservation management.

Skill Diversification Programs:

Offer training programs and workshops to help graduates diversify their skill set. This might include courses in project management, business development, or communication skills, enhancing their competitiveness in the job market.

Community Engagement and Education:

Promote community involvement in heritage projects and encourage graduates to engage with local communities. Graduates could lead educational programs, workshops, or awareness campaigns, fostering a sense of ownership and support for cultural heritage.

Advocacy for Policy Change:

Advocate for policies that recognize the value of archaeological and heritage management work, leading to increased government funding and support for related projects. This can create more opportunities within the public sector.

Research and Development Initiatives:

Encourage graduates to engage in research and development activities, potentially leading to innovations in heritage management, archaeology, or related fields. This could attract investment and create niche job opportunities.

By implementing a combination of these strategies, Sri Lanka can work towards expanding job opportunities for archaeology and heritage management graduates, fostering innovation, and contributing to the sustainable development of the cultural heritage sector. Some thoughts for those who take policy decisions if seeing this 😶

Images (C) Thilanka M. Siriwardana

Heliciculture - Personal experience

 

 

Heliciculture, or snail farming, not only finds its roots in modern culinary practices but also boasts a historical and archaeological significance. Throughout history, various cultures, including the ancient Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians, have showcased a culinary fondness for snails. Archaeological evidence, such as snail shells found in ancient middens, attests to the longstanding tradition of consuming snails.

In ancient times, snails were considered a delicacy and were often featured in feasts among the elite. The meticulous records kept by these civilizations reveal the cultural and gastronomic importance of snails in different societies.

Fast forward to the present, and heliciculture has become a bridge between tradition and modern sustainability. The controlled cultivation of snails not only caters to contemporary tastes but also aligns with eco-friendly agricultural practices. Moreover, the integration of heliciculture into historical and cultural narratives highlights the enduring appeal of snails in human culinary history.

By delving into the archaeological remnants of snail consumption and understanding its historical context, heliciculture becomes more than a culinary practice; it becomes a fascinating journey through time, connecting us to the culinary preferences of our ancestors and the evolution of our gastronomic heritage. 

Photo by. TM Siriwardana at Milan, 10-12-23

Why Rama needed a bridge to cross a shallow sea?

 According to the Bauddhayana Dharma Shastra and Manusmrithi, seafaring is prohibited for the "twice-born" (referring to the upper castes) in the Hindu social system, as the sea is regarded as the resting place of gods. Consequently, those who venture across the sea risk losing their high-born caste status. Rama, being of high birth, faced the dilemma of crossing the sea to rescue Sita without violating this rule. The only plausible solution was to construct a bridge to traverse the sea – or did he? In my recollection, during the return journey, Rama pointed out the places they had passed but made no mention of the so-called bridge. Therefore, in my perspective, if Rama did indeed come to Sri Lanka, it was likely through the shallow Palk Strait, utilizing simple rafts. It appears that Valmiki or the storyteller, well-versed in geography, fabricated the narrative of a bridge. Alternatively, this "bridge" could be remnants of dunes before further erosion. Regardless, my personal view leans towards the notion that no actual bridge was constructed, but rather the story itself.

Related quotes

    Historians are like deaf people who go on answering questions that no one has asked them.

– Leo Tolstoy
 

Red herrings of Sri Lanka

 Since the earliest known occurrences in Sri Lanka, I can recollect that most daily events seem to be mere 'red herrings.' The government, media, policymakers, and at times, international interest groups present these distractions to us, akin to cats eagerly seeking food. A recent problematic event is the ICC and Sri Lankan cricket issue, emerging just before the budget and persisting. Notably, there are announcements of high-profile criminals' deaths before fuel price hikes and potential scandals involving famous individuals before the passage of bills. Whether these are relevant remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that our inclination towards these red herrings seems to be growing, and perhaps, all involved parties are well aware of this trend.

 

(Image source. https://haroldrhenisch.com/2012/11/07/what-is-art/)

Coastal changes - Lankapatuna

 

On the left is an aerial photograph of the Lankapatuna coastal area in 1963, clearly depicting numerous sandy beach ridges extending towards the adjacent coastal plain. The photo on the right is a 2023 Google Earth image, revealing recent settlements and land clearance that have impacted this geomorphological feature. The aerial photograph is sourced from Erb, 1963. These changes are evident throughout the coast of the island and require careful attention to mitigate their impact on coastal erosion and marine biota.

Canis familiaris L. (or Canis aureus L.). as reported by Sarasins from Nilgala Cave, Sri Lanka 1908

 

The framented lower jaw found from Nilgala (Sarasin and Sarasin, 1908)

 Canis familiaris L. (or Canis aureus L.).

A fragment of a lower jaw (Plate IX, Fig. 235), containing two incisors, a canine tooth missing its tip, the first premolar, and the root of the second premolar in its socket, unquestionably belongs to a Canid. However, it is not possible to determine with absolute certainty whether it belongs to the Pariah dog or the jackal. Due to the relative thickness and shortness of the symphyseal part, which appears more elongated in the jackal, Dr. Stehlin and I were inclined to assign the fragment to the dog. However, I did not dare to make a final decision, so I sent the jaw to our eminent Canid expert, Professor Th. Studer in Bern, asking for his judgment. Here is his response: "Unfortunately, the fragment belongs to a part of the skull that shows the least characteristic features; moreover, it comes from a young animal, about 8 months old, in which the permanent canine has not yet fully developed its crown, and the three premolars are still close together, with the front one still close to the canine. The second one has broken off near the root, which is still in the sockets. I have now compared the whole thing with skulls of jackals from Ceylon. There, the canine is much slimmer, less sagittally widened, and less flattened on the inside; it shows a ridge towards the back that is less pronounced in the jackal; also, the front end of the jaw is thicker and more robust than in the jackal. On the other hand, the first premolar, due to the strong development of its tip, resembles more that of the jackal. In Pariah dogs and Dingoes, it is weaker and lower. The height of the jaw at the first premolar and the sagittal diameter of the canine crown correspond to the proportions of a Sumatran Pariah; the Dingo shows stronger dimensions. For now, my diagnosis leans towards a dog, not a jackal. However, that's all I can say after comparing it with numerous Dingoes and Pariahs, as well as two jackal skulls from Ceylon; unfortunately, the small piece doesn't allow for a definitive judgment."

Even if we, with all due caution, attribute the jaw in question to a dog based on this assessment, it remains difficult to explain how a dog's jawbone ended up among the bones of prey animals, as dogs were certainly not used as food. While it's unlikely that jackals were eaten either, they often prowled around human settlements and were likely hunted frequently. Whether the bite marks found on some bones are from jackals or from a domesticated form cannot be determined.

In the past, we had a tendency to believe that dogs were introduced to the Weddas by the Sinhalese (26, page 450), partly because the Wedda dog seems to be nothing more than the Pariah dog of the Sinhalese and Tamils, and also because the Weddas occasionally exchange young dogs with the village Sinhalese, indicating that they do not seem to have enough of their own breeding stock. Furthermore, there are still isolated groups of native Weddas in remote mountain regions who do not own dogs, such as the small tribe on Danigala, which we visited in March 1907.

There are also examples of ethnic groups that only came to know dogs very late. For instance, the Andamanese had no dogs before the European occupation of the island group and only started using them for hunting since 1865; now they highly value them (see Man, 17, page 341). Similarly, the Tasmanians received dogs, which they had soon began to appreciate (see H. Ling Roth's compilation, 24, page 111).

With the discovery of the presumed dog jaw in the Nilgala Cave, the question of the Wedda dog becomes open again and should be carefully considered by future cave researchers.

--- Translated by Blogger from the original source.