Shortcuts: How To Make It As An Archaeologist

CNN.com ^ | 12-11-2006 | Paul Sussman

[blam]

Shortcuts: How to make it as an archaeologist

POSTED: 7:01 a.m. EST, December 11, 2006
By Paul Sussman for CNN

(CNN) -- Following news that archaeologists in Rome have discovered a sarcophagus containing what they believe to be the mortal remains of St. Paul the Apostle, we offer a few tips on how to get in on the world of excavation.

Forget the bull whip

It might have got Indiana Jones out of a scrape or two, but then Indiana Jones has little if anything to do with real archaeology. Excavators these days are far more likely to be armed with a theodolite and laptop than a whip and pistol, so if you are working on the assumption that archaeology = glamour you're going to be sorely disappointed. Mind you, if you find yourself digging somewhere hot then an Indiana Jones Fedora might come in useful.

Study hard, get the qualifications

Gone are the days of the enthusiastic amateur -- men such as 19th Century businessman Heinrich Schliemann who, having made a fortune contracting during the Crimean War, decided to turn his hand to excavating and, at Mycenae and Troy, made some of the most spectacular discoveries in the history of archaeology. These days archaeologists are highly qualified, technically skilled professionals -- simply being able to poke around in the ground with a trowel is no longer enough. Draughtsmanship, surveying, micro-botany, photography, material conservation, epigraphy, digital design, cartography, computing -- these are just a few of the skills that are required on a modern archaeological mission (although not all necessarily by the same person).

Volunteer as "trowel fodder"

While many of the technical aspects of archaeology can be learnt in a classroom, there is no substitute for practical experience. If you are really committed to the subject.

[blam]

Ping.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

So I won't be able to shoot the Arab who's swinging the sword menacingly?

[Coyoteman]

These days archaeologists are highly qualified, technically skilled professionals -- simply being able to poke around in the ground with a trowel is no longer enough. Draughtsmanship, surveying, micro-botany, photography, material conservation, epigraphy, digital design, cartography, computing -- these are just a few of the skills that are required on a modern archaeological mission (although not all necessarily by the same person).

To that add stratigraphy and soils analysis, osteology (human and animal), artifact identification and analysis, sample collection (soils, macro- and micro-floral, radiocarbon etc.) and a host of other skills.

For the lab and report preparation there are even more skills needed, way too many to name here.

We archaeologists are more than just pretty faces.

[ErnBatavia]

We archaeologists are more than just pretty faces.

But do you all have to speak with that funny Egyptian accent like that dude on the Discover Channel?

[usurper]

Following news that archaeologists in Rome have discovered a sarcophagus containing what they believe to be the mortal remains of St. Paul the Apostle.

Forget the rest of the story. This is big news to me, anyone got a link?

[bannie]

But Schliemann did it without the metal detector.

[Graybeard58]

Ping.

[blam]

"Forget the rest of the story. This is big news to me, anyone got a link?"

St Paul's Tomb Unearthed In Rome

[wizr]

Thanks for the info on the tomb. However, I must argue one point in the article:

"Though he never met Jesus Christ, he joined the first Christians after a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus,"

In Acts Chapter 9, Paul asks who is speaking to him. IT WAS JESUS!! If you don't believe that passage, then the rest of the New Testament means nothing. Paul went from killing Christians to being one of Christ's Apostle's, putting his own life on the line.

Paul was not just telling stories. He met Jesus on that road to Damascus.

[SunkenCiv]

AIA's Annual Fieldwork Opportunities Bulletin:
http://www.archaeological.org/webinfo.php?page=10015

BAR's Join A Dig page:
http://www.bib-arch.org/bswbDig.html

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Blam.

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.

Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on or off the
"Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list or GGG weekly digest
-- Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)

[SunkenCiv]

We archaeologists are more than just pretty faces.

I'm just glad Helen Thomas isn't an archaeologist, no reason...

[SunkenCiv]

and on FR, we have...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1345449/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1346519/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1749237/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1749580/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1749991/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1751859/posts

[ASOC]

so deska

This explains the bumper sticker

Archaeology - I really dig it!

[uglybiker]

She just looks like something an archaeologist dug up.

We are still unsure as to the purpose of the grotesque image, but we believe it was created by the ancients to scare children into going to bed early.

[Coyoteman]

My coffee mug reads, "My Life Is In Ruins"

[mewzilla]

For anyone interested....

Archaeological Institute of America

[ASOC]

Pretty funny

Anthropology 101, sounds pretty dull

Post-atomic Attack Survival 101, sounds much more exciting, 'eh?

[SunkenCiv]

Medusa.