Expert: Ralph Salier - 1/31/2009

Question
I have read that chemistry is important to archaeology, but I wanted to know whether it is possible to study both. Would the two conflict with one another or could one be both a archaeologist and chemist? Could you do both field work and analysis of the materials?

Answer
Hi Amanda,

I have a background in both.  My degree is in Archaeology but I took courses in metallugy, Chemistry, Organic Chem, Chemical analytics, and other courses which proved to be very useful in the field and in the lab.

So, yes, I would encourage a dual major in both fields.