As humans, in order to formulate achievable goals for our future, we must be able to learn from our past. Everyone is familiar with the old saw "if you don't know history, you are condemned to repeat the same old mistakes''.

Unlike historians, anthropologists study not the cycle of past events or even the individual events themselves, but the human and social mechanisms by which those events took or take place. Anthropologists study human behaviour, analyse social and cultural change, and seek the patterns inherent in these processes. As an anthropologist, I am concerned for the patterns we seem to be forming and for the future of humans on the Earth.

Anthropologists (and archaeologists, who study human cultures and behaviours through material remains) recognise there are certain human constants. Among these are the necessity of securing and maintaining access to food and water, clothing, shelter, defence; and the ability to reproduce. Most of these processes leave behind material traces or artifacts (and can, therefore be studied in the archaeological record). All of these activities rely on renewable resources. This has been so since humans first became human and will remain so until we are no more; it is true for all of us, everywhere and in every time. Technology, style, ideology may change, but our basic needs are constant and universal.

Perhaps never before has it been so important to recognise this truth about ourselves: that we are, literally, one people. We have collectively become so many, so adversarial, so irresponsible, and so powerful, that we threaten our own existence. In some cultures, it is our lack of technology which threatens to eradicate us, through the effects of disease and famine; in others, it is, ironically, our technology itself which threatens us, through waste-product pollution, weapons of mass destruction, and unconstrained bio-medical research. All of us compete for increasingly scarce resources; and we are increasingly globally connected, through trade and alliances, if not ideologically.

Every human act has consequences. In one way or another, we poison the soil, air and water; kill and cripple our brothers and sisters; threaten the future of our children with genetic alterations, for which we cannot know the long-term consequences. Generally, we foul our own nest. Unfortunately for other species, our nest is the Earth. For our survival, we must learn to peacefully co-exist within our own communities; between our own societies; and amongst the Earth's biological diversity; without losing the cultural identities and traditions which make us unique and interesting.

As humans, we are not restricted to "basic instinct'', but can learn from our mistakes. The archaeological record reveals many of these mistakes: Societies which have disappeared for lack of water; or due to elimination of nutritional resources -- through poor land management, overfishing and overhunting.

Almost 30 years ago, the book Bermuda's Delicate Balance warned Bermudians about a lifestyle and a mindset which ignored the constraints of a tiny isolated ecosystem. Today, there is even less arable land; there are more cars; more people; more buildings; disturbingly fewer restraints on social behaviour; more interpersonal violence; the stubborn and disturbing presence of diseases like tuberculosis, diabetes, and AIDS.

However, the archaeological record teaches us not only about our past mistakes, but also about past strengths. The material-culture record can reveal the historical presence of many peoples who, in past power structures and political climates, have been effectively without history, yet preserved and moved metaphorical mountains -- such as women and slaves; or people who whose vision and courage forged new frontiers -- and the "little'' people who made those visions a hard-won reality, the shipwrights, farmers, and sailors.

We find evidence of their existence -- their homes, weapons, tools, household goods, personal remains, gardens, even their parasites -- in the earth and and under the sea around us.

Terrestrial and marine archaeology are just getting started as disciplines in Bermuda, after a tradition of dedicated "mudlarking'' and a decade or so of scientific groundwork. With the aid of institutions such as the Bermuda National Trust, and the variety of museums, historical societies, and cultural organisations; the backing of Government Departments interested in the preservation of cultural resources -- and the educational opportunities and tourist dollars those resources represent; and technological advances such as GIS (Geographical Information System) and GPS (Global Positioning System); archaeology is poised to make a real difference in the lives of Bermudians. On the eve of Earth Day, let us remember to cherish the earth, and all that is in it.

Nan Godet is records officer in the Government archives; was Curator at the Bermuda Maritime Museum for seven years. She has an MA in Anthropology with specialisation in historical Archaeology and sits on the Archaeological committee of the Bermuda National Trust.

Photo: Bermuda Archives Bermuda as it was: Bermuda can learn from its history and apply the lesson to the environment.