Why Ancient Studies Still Matter Today

By Chaeeun Lee

When we think about ancient studies, it can sometimes feel distant from our everyday lives. Ruins, old languages, and long-gone civilizations might seem disconnected from the modern world. But the more we learn about the past, the more we realize that the ancient world is not as far away as it seems. It continues to shape the systems, ideas, and even the words we use today.

Writing was one of the most important developments in human history because it allowed people to preserve memory beyond a single lifetime. As Barry B. Powell explains, writing technology changed civilization by making knowledge transferable across generations (Powell, 2012). Without early systems of writing, there would be no recorded laws, literature, or philosophy to build upon. Ancient texts are not just artifacts; they are conversations that continue into the present.

A clay tablet inscribed with ancient cuneiform writing from Mesopotamia.

Many parts of modern society have roots in antiquity. Roman law influenced later legal systems, and Greek philosophy still appears in discussions about ethics and politics. Mary Beard argues that understanding Rome helps us better understand the structures of power and citizenship that still affect us today (Beard, 2015). This shows that ancient studies are not about escaping into the past; it is about understanding the foundations of the present.

Jan Assmann’s idea of “cultural memory” also helps explain why this field matters. He suggests that societies maintain their identity by remembering and reinterpreting their past (Assmann, 2011). Ancient monuments, texts, and traditions give communities a sense of continuity. Studying them allows us not only to appreciate earlier civilizations but also to question them critically.

In a time when information moves quickly and attention spans are short, ancient studies teach patience. It requires careful reading, context, and reflection. Yuval Noah Harari writes that looking at the long span of human history helps us better understand current challenges (Harari, 2015). Ancient studies stretch that timeline even further, reminding us that questions about justice, power, and meaning have existed for thousands of years.

The Library of Celsus in Ephesus, an ancient Roman building in present-day Turkey.

This is also why organizations like SASA are important today. SASA works to support students, independent scholars, and public engagement in ancient studies, ensuring that the field remains accessible beyond traditional academic institutions. By encouraging research, conversation, and digital outreach, initiatives like SASA help keep ancient studies active and relevant in contemporary society.

Supporting ancient studies is not simply about preserving the past. It is about protecting perspective. By continuing to study and share ancient knowledge, we keep a long human conversation alive; One that connects who we were to who we are becoming.

References:

• Assmann, Jan. Cultural Memory and Early Civilization: Writing, Remembrance, and Political Imagination. Cambridge University Press, 2011.

• Beard, Mary. SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome. Liveright Publishing, 2015.

• Harari, Yuval Noah. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Harper, 2015.

• Powell, Barry B. Writing: Theory and History of the Technology of Civilization. Wiley-Blackwell, 2012.