All About Antiquities

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Andrew's Alert

"That belongs in a museum." "So do you!"

    Ah, that classic Indiana Jones line followed by the crook's response. What a fitting opener for this website! Sadly, as dedicated as there are people who seek to discover antiquities for the world's educational betterment, equally too are those dedicated to making money on these things.

It's incredible, one person may hold in their hand that vase pictured and be overtaken with emotion and awe that this precious thing was once handled by people thousands of years ago, while another person holds it and thinks of that new car they can get from its sale.

Sadly, when financial gain outweighs social integrity, forget it, it's no different than a two-year old biting a sibling and then throwing food at them. Makes you wonder, if we are all human, aren't we supposed to think relatively alike? Guess not.

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"We had seen God in His splendors, heard the text that Nature renders. We had reached the naked soul of man."

-Ernest Shackleton

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Plain and simply put, that's what this website is all about.  But what exactly are antiquities?  Let's take a look. 🔍

First, let's look at the origins of the word.  The word antiquities comes from Latin antīquitās, meaning 'ancient times' or 'the quality of being ancient.'  It entered English through Old French antiquité and appears in English records as early as the 14th century.  Antiquities expanded its reach and now encompasses the following sub-classifications:

Wikipedia and Websters define antiquities as:

Objects, relics, or works of art from the ancient past, especially the period before the Middle Ages.

Since you probably got a kick out of that newspaper article linked in the Antiques description above, let's focus on relics, as that category of antiquities seems to excite mystery and adventure!  Originally the term relic was associated with one's bodily bones in a purely religious connotation.  In fact, one of the earliest sources that purports to show the efficacy of relics is found in 2 Kings 13:20-21:

"Elisha died and was buried.  Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring.  Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb.  When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet."

13th Century medieval Christianity quickly established the significance of relics, associating the bodily bones of the late saints and martyrs as objects to be esteemed and venerated.  In fact, the word relic draws from the medieval Latin reliquia, meaning 'remains.'  Indeed, relics are key aspects of some forms of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and many other religions.

A typical relic, whether of secular or spiritual significance, is often thought by the general public to be usually found in some remote, hard to access, long lost far away land whose inhabitants were once uncivilized and walked around barefoot.  This may be true to some extent, however a more accurate correlation would find ancient relics potentially amidst our own neighborhoods and right below our own feet!  Have you ever wondered what life was like where you live, say about as much as 5000 and as little as 50 years ago?  In our everyday hustle and bustle lifestyles, we never entertain this thought.  Yet at any moment we could actually be standing in the middle of a Revolutionary War battleground, an ancient Indian burial ground, or a grown-over and weed filled aged Viking settlement.  We are merely passing through history, but relics you see...are history.

But how does one take on the role of Indiana Jones, don a whip, and crawl through caves to find such things?  Phase one of the relic hunting process literally begins with an idea.  An appreciation for all-things old and ancient is required.  Finding a relic certainly brings about a sense of nostalgia, of touching history rather than merely reading about it.  The discoverer is actually physically holding something that was once held many, many years ago.  And in many cases, revered and worshiped by its original keepers.

After an idea is established, phase two gets underway, and that is the Research process.  Where is venue?  A complete background analysis is done which includes the site's historical significance, past inhabitants, known cultural and spiritual activity, business transactions, building structure history and foundations, and any other supporting peripheral information associated with the site such as media articles.

Once at the actual site, you're ready to roll.  Whether climbing or crawling, your bravado will take on the task of exploration and discovery at some of the most unknown, unearthed, uniquely peculiar, and headline-making destinations around.  Not only are you seeking relics, but simultaneously you'd be probing the hidden world they dwell in.

And some are even more hidden than you know.  While most relics are tangible artifacts, physical things that you can hold in your hand and marvel at, other relics are intangible artifacts, existing yet difficult to place your finger on.  On the subject of paranormal antiquities, a 300-year-old household entity certainly merits the title of 'relic emeritus'!

Now, Voyager, your adventure awaits!

Antiquities

Relics

Artifacts

Antiques

You know, those things that Indiana Jones hunts down.  Relics are objects with religious, spiritual, or historical significance.  Specifically religious or spiritually significant.  Can be ancient or relatively recent.  A relic is an antiquity if it’s old enough and culturally important.

Sort of the term you hear on T.V. documentaries when archaeologists dig up ancient cities.  Artifacts are objects made or shaped by humans, usually with cultural or historical value.  Human‑made objects, usually archaeological or historical but not necessarily 'old enough' to be antiques.  Can be sacred, mundane, or utilitarian.

As in that T.V. series American Pickers, incidentally that was the show that beat a former project of mine, Real Live Relic Hunter, to the air!  Antiques are objects typically over 100 years old, valued for age, craftsmanship, or rarity.  Primarily defined by age (commonly 100+ years).  Valued for craftsmanship, rarity, or beauty.  Not necessarily archaeological or sacred.

Andrews Antiquaria shall observe all legalities in the search, discovery, and acquisition of any artifacts and antiquities pursuant to the laws of the land upon which said artifacts and antiquities are acquired.  All attempts will be made to seat said artifacts and antiquities into the ownership of global governments responsible for preserving and displaying said artifacts and antiquities for the purpose of historical preservation.  Andrews Antiquaria itself shall uphold its commitment to non-monetary gain of said artifacts and antiquities and remain committed to their global historical, educational, and sentimental purposes.  Any private interest in said artifacts and antiquities shall be refused if it in any way, shape, or form conflicts with the purpose of historical preservation and public display.  Andrews Antiquaria may accept and post on its website any not-for-profit foundational ‘loan and display’ artifacts and antiquities pursuant to the legalities mentioned herein.  Andrews Antiquaria shall not be held responsible for any breach of said legalities resulting from another party’s accidental or intentional misinformation communicated, another party’s hidden facts, another party’s private interests, or another party’s monetary gain.

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