Expert: Ralph Salier - 7/12/2008

Question
Need some advice please.

I am a life long extremely passionate wannabe archaeologist. I have no formal
education in history, anthro-archae(ology) at all. I constantly have a book on
some ancient culture in my briefcase and spend way too much time on the
history channel. I currently work at at&t as a engineer. I am 43 years old and
actually considering a late in life change to do what I have always dreamed of
doing. Thing is, I work full time and can not attend a university full time and
even part time would be rough. Is there a path I can start taking using
distance learning to set up a nice collection of transferable credits towards a
degree in archaeology? I can not seem to find anything locally that is geared
towards that program. Would it be a general science, liberal arts or social
science degree?

If I can save enough and have maybe a associates or even a bachelors ready I
could possibly then go full time student. Anyone have any suggestions
please. And maybe a good distance learning suggestion?

Answer
Hi Michael,

Here are some options.  There may be some volunteer opportunities in your area.  Contact the office of the state archaeologist for you state and ask if there is a local chapter of the state's archaeological society in your area.  Often times these folks have a professional leader who then sets up a dig and organizeses it and controlls it.  If you let me know where you live, I could put you in touch with some one in the know for your area.  This way you can get your feet wet and find out what it is all about.  Beleive me when I tell you it is a lot of hard work and not nearly as glamorus as it may seem.    

Once you have ahd this kind of experience, then I would recommend some digs out of the country like in Egypt, Israel etc... This will expose you to other methodologies and techiniques used else where.  Even digging along Hadrians Wall in England may be of interest for you.  If your interest continues, then you can approach the distance learning option and take one course at a time.  Most will be in Anthro but there are some "class room" courses in Arch as well.  But to be an archaeologist on the professional level, the only way is to be out there in the dirt.

So, let me know where you live and we will proceed from there.  

If it takes me some time, please for give, I am on site and the only time I have access is in the evenings and then not always.

Ralph