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Ancient cancel cultures: The defacement of statues in America replicates a tradition going backÌýmillennia

Amid pleas for racial justice, protesters across the United States have mutilated hundreds of monuments. They haveÌý,ÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý.

As statues tumble, aÌý. For some, the defacement of monuments, particularly thoseÌý, helps debunk myths of white supremacy. For others, their destruction equals vigilantism and lawlessness.

The result of months of protests over racial injustice and monument destruction may seem like a modern form of American political speech. It’s not.Ìý

As anÌýanthropology professorÌýand archaeologist who has written about howÌý, I believe it mirrors an age-old practice long used to discredit once revered people and repudiate once venerated ideas.