Over the past few years, I've come to recognize that Ursula K. Le Guin is an enormously important figure for public archaeologists. The K. stands for Kroeber—Le Guin is the daughter of anthropologist Alfred Kroeber and thus comes by her archaeology chops in the genetic way.
But, more importantly, Le Guin is one of a handful of science fiction writers who use the past as underpinnings for social commentary of the present, whenever the stories take place. I'm not talking about simple fictional stories that take place in the past, I'm talking about deliberate use of ideas about the past embedded into a story which illuminates something about the social conditions of the present.
In this six minute YouTube video posted over at MediaBistro, Le Guin talks about her latest novel, called Lavinia, which uses a minor character from Vergil's Aeneid to develop some of her themes.
As far as I'm concerned, using the past to illuminate the present is the main purpose of public archaeology—maybe the main purpose of archaeology at all, in fact. "Holding up a mirror so you can see another angle on it", that's how Le Guin looks at it. Yeah. That's it. 
Author Ursula K Le Guin poses with her award at the PEN USA Annual LitFest Awards Gala at the Biltmore Hotel on November 9, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Buckner / Getty Images
Comments
I read her books many years ago and I must agree.Now I only want the evidence. She is a great writer. I also write things such as poetry and terse responses. The Hugo life award should go to her.
Very interesting! Like Terry, I read some of her books many years ago but failed to make the connection. Perhaps I need to drop by the Tuscaloosa Public Library and see what I have been missing.
Dick
I’m a reader of Le Guin’s work and it ranks as some of the most important literature of the modern era, particularly in speculative fiction, but as you point out, also in regards to our relationship with the past, and our perceptions of distant technology and beliefs.
I had not known about her middle initial and its connection to Archaeology, so thanks for that insight…and for so many others. cheers.
By the way, Kris, the link to her youtube directs one instead to your article on Beringia, appropriately enough…but in the mean time a simple search for “lavinia LeGuin” at youtube will bring up the interview.
Oh foo. Thanks for pointing it out! I’ve changed it now…
Kris
Having Alfred Kroeber be Ursual LeGuin’s father, fits some missing part of the puzzle which is me . into place .. now I feel more whole , happy and hope full. I love her. She is such a crone exemplar.