Josh's Blog

Shell Point Speaker Series

Yesterday, I flew to Fort Myers, Florida so I could deliver the final keynote address in the 2010-2011 Shell Point Speaker Series.

The title of my 50-minute talk was “World Mysteries - A Selection” and it covered my travels exploring over 50 countries and countless mysteries. In addition to showing photos from dozens and dozens of archaeological sites and world wonders, I focused on 4 specific mysteries:

 
• Gobekli Tepe in Turkey - Why did the people there create those t-shaped pillars, and how did community ritual influence the transition from nomadism to settlement?
 
• The Amarna Period in Egypt - What was Akhenaten’s vision that led him to abandon the pantheon of Egypt in favor of the monolatrous worship of the Aten?
 
• El Mirador, Guatemala - How did the Pre-Classic Maya’s conspicuous consumption of resources lead to their ultimate decline?
 
• Rapa Nui (Easter Island) - Similar to the Maya, how is it that the people of Rapa Nui failed to notice the collapse of their environment? Why didn’t they do anything about it?  

I then finished with a brief discussion of where our world is today, how we can learn from the past, and what we must do to safeguard our future. During the post-talk Q & A, the audience asked some really interesting and creative questions about my travels and opinions on several topics.  To finish the evening, I went to dinner with a small group of friends in The Explorers Club’s Florida Chapter. Overall, I had a fantastic time and want to thank the people at Shell Point for their hospitality!

Posted by ExplorerJosh on 04/15 at 09:33 AM

1. Hi Josh,
   This is what I would have liked best:
   “...a brief discussion of where our world is today, how we can learn from the past, and what we must do to safeguard our future.”

       Form your show about the Amarna Period I learned Akenaten’s religion was not based on his piety but his developmental disability. And his people suffered a regression on at a skeletal depth. I was stunned. Thanks.
   Francis

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/15 at 12:36 PM

2. Akhenaten was a visionary, but I’ve always liked because he was not sexist, he prevailed almost on par with Nefertiti

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/15 at 12:49 PM

3. Hello Josh, your talk sounds wonderful. Any chance of your coming to California to make a presentation at GHF? Livia, aka Mexrose

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/16 at 03:16 PM

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