I Study Dead People

As a professional archaeologist, not a day goes by without someone inquiring about my discipline. Some people congratulate me on my choice of career and for the completion of the several years of education required to obtain the B.A. and the graduate degree required to pursue work as an archaeologist. Children, in particular exude excitement at meeting a "real" archaeologist; their perceptions of the job range from Indiana Jones' adventures, to the study of dinosaurs, to other activities sometimes akin to collecting (looting) archaeological artifacts from sites. After dispelling these notions, my standard answer is thus: "Archaeology is the study of prehistoric and historic human cultures through the examination and analysis of their material remains, as found in archaeological sites, structures, features, and landscapes. Material remains may include the stone tools utilized for hunting or processing plant foods, bone tools for making clothing and shelter material, seeds and animal bones indicating the foods people subsisted on, burial features, ceramics, and wooden structures. Since my research specializes in the material remains of ancient and prehistoric people, in a nutshell--I Study Dead People.

For more information, use the Google Search tool at the top of the page and SEARCH "What is Archaeology". Thanks for visiting my blog, and have a great day! --AFN


http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/09/illinois-high-school-says-goodbye-to-final-remnant-of-native-mascot/

Good-bye to final remnant of Native Mascot

According to the news article, Bloomington High School's Purple Raiders have detached themselves from the last vestiges of the American Indian mascot that has been used for 30 years. The life-sized statue of an American Indian will be auctioned off at an annual high school booster's event. Half of the proceeds are expected to fund this year's senior class.

This is good news, particularly in a climate where American Indian mascots are often seen as discriminatory and insensitive to the Native American people of this country. Change is good, and in Indian Country, this example of positive change may be applauded. --AFN

Go here to read the newspaper article