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Doctrinaire Diffusionism and Acts of Faith

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Patricia J. O'Brien
Patricia J. O'Brien*
Affiliation:
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
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Abstract

Some anthropologists have suggested prehistoric Old and New world contacts. Meggers, Evans, and Estrada are the most recent advocates, and their hypothesis of a landfall by Japanese fishermen on the coast of Ecuador seems to have been the causa belli of the attack by John Rowe on “doctrinaire diffusionism.” In a response to Rowe, Jett and Carter (1966) suggest his level of absolute proof is the best, but not the only, proof. Rowe's absolute proof is best because it can be rigorously and objectively tested. But if this level of proof is not met, then the acceptance of such evidence becomes an “act of faith.” The hypotheses of transoceanic contacts can not be evaluated adequately for or against until this level of proof is achieved. Until such time, the acceptance of such theories will remain “acts of faith.”

Type
Facts and Comments
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 33 , Issue 3 , July 1968 , pp. 386 - 388
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1968

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References

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