“Would future archeologists get the wrong idea about Santa Claus?”
Of course they will. It’s as if Archeologists default to the wrong answer that is closest to their cultural biases, then adjust their answers to beat the guys who published the original theory. That they eventually reach a theory that matches all of the evidence is a wonder.
I wonder what future archeologists will think about theme parks.
What’s the right idea about santa claus?
That it’s made up and only meant for kids to believe in, at least in part, as a way to manipulate them into being good (but it’s also fun to think about all the toys you’re going to get from him). As opposed to researchers thinking he was either an actual person or even just someone that a good chunk of the population believes in, similar to finding evidence of a religion.
Are myths a cultural constant amongst human civilizations? If these future archeologists have their own fairy tales, then it would be easier to recognize Santa for the children’s legend. Then again, I can easily imagine that they’d misconstrue our use of him as a marketing tool as more akin to a religious leader.
Silly Buggers! Everybody knows that’s the Toilet!