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/

Graduate School

Here's a recent post to the graduate school board on Library Thing:

Hi rikker,I am beginning my first year as a graduate student at New Mexico State in May, which is a great relief! The process of applying to graduate school was even more grueling than the GRE. I don't think I remember how many hoops I had to jump through. A friend of mine (Ph.C. at University of Washington) applied to 6 schools, and only received an answer from one! I applied to 4, was accepted into 3 programs, and did not receive an official answer from 1. If there is one piece of advice I can give about the graduate school application process--have lots of faith, and persevere. Good luck!

aggie

Library Thing Group

Hey, I found a group of Graduate Students on The Library Thing who are discussing their degrees and goals. Here's my entry into the group...

If "non-traditional aged student" means someone who is categorized as "boomer-aged" then I guess I am one, too! I will be starting the M.A. program at New Mexico State University in May by taking part in the Kipp Ruins Graduate Field School. If all goes well, I will earn a Masters in Anthropology with a focus on Southwestern Anthropology and Archaeology.My original goal was to go after the Ph.D., but after thinking through my goals of working in Cultural Resource preservation, and teaching, I realized that I could reach them satisfactorily with the M.A.; and I wouldn't have to remain in college for the rest of my natural life :)As a side note, one of the reasons I chose a much smaller university for my graduate studies (my B.A. was earned at the University of Washington, Seattle) was to lessen the turmoil of having to deal with the politics and impersonal-ness of the large school.