Why are some people more interested in our past than others?

Question

Why do people become Archaeologists, Anthropologists or Historians? What's so intriguing about what people did in the past, or what happened then? Why do some people care less about this and rather want to look forward to the future instead?

Answer 1

Thats like asking why anyone cares about anything... Why prefer the past or the future, why prefer brunettes or blondes... Personality... everyones is unique and that results in different interests. Theres no logical reason to explain such a broad question... You'd have to ask each person their reasons for their preferences.

Answer 2

Because as Alexander the Great said, "Even a fool learns from his mistakes, the wise man learns from the mistakes of others."

I'm an engineer that has spent his life building for the future, but it would have been foolish to ignore what was done in the past. Chuckle, I do find the past, evolution, human migration & struggles fascinating.

Answer 3

Well in my experience it is because history gives us something tangible to study and work with.  You know generally what happened and how it turned out.  You don't have to guess or assume or predict, it is all right there in black and white. and for people who do not feel that same interest or passion it is because they care more about today and feel that the past has no impact on what they are trying to accomplish now.

As for Archeology there is a thrill in finding something that has been hidden for god knows how long.  I can not tell you the thrill I got when I would pull an artifact out of the ground.  I knew that I was the first person in hundreds if not thousands of years (in a few cases tens of thousands of years) to touch or see this artifact.  I had in my hand a tool or weapon or item some one who has long since passed had used.  For that briefest of moments I was able to touch time it's self, I actually connected to some one who I would never know thousands of years before I was even born.  I was touching a moment in time.

Yeah that’s a little idealistic but that’s how I would feel.

Not every one feels like that, few people care how Caesar may have felt crossing the Rubicon because it does not affect them today or tomorrow.  For others the Battle of Layette Gulf has no impact for them at all and can be a bore.

Really in the end however it just comes down to personal preference nothing more.

Answer 4

Because knowledge of the past better helps us to intentionally proceed into the future with proven guidance...

It's something that animals of prey, are not able to transfer!

Answer 5

i believe that these group of people are intrigued with our past is bec. they might feel that their past will definitely define their future...they might want to know the missing pieces in their lives, and by doing this they want to excavate the things forgotten by mankind...

Answer 6

Because everyone is different, plus, is it your problem?