Expert: Ralph Salier - 3/24/2009

Question
QUESTION: i would like to know what college &course i can prefer as i like to be an archeologist

ANSWER: Hi Sherin,

Before I can adequately help you in your decision making process, I need you to answer the following questions:

1) What are your areas of interest?  in other words cultures, areas of the world, etc...
2) Are you interested in the laboratory work? The analytical work to describe, define and identify the materials found
3) Since English is not your first language, where are you from and where would you like to study
4) Are you prepared for the difficulties, hardships, dirt and mire you will encounter as an archaeologist?  This is not Indiana Jones.....
5) why archaeology?  How about anthropology or physical anthropology or paleo botany?
6) Have you ever found an artifact? if so, how did it make you feel? Do you still have it? Or do you have a collection of artifacts?  Did you keep careful records of where you found them?
7) Do you have a back up plan in the event you can not find work in the field?

Once I get your response, I may have some additional questions but this should help me steer you in the right direction.

A quote from M. Leaky: "It is fine and dandy to become an archaeologist but always have one or two other skills you can fall back on when you need  to.  Become a teacher, plumber, welder or something else as well as an archaeologist.  That way when there is nothing to dig, you still have a job to do."

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i am interested in Egyptian civilization,,,,,,,yes iam interested in the laboratory work ,,,i am from tamil nadu -india ,i would like to study in australia,or abroad,,,,no  i had not  found an artifact ,,,,,,,, is anthropology or physical anthropology or paleo botany is a fine field for me

Answer
Hi Sherin,

If you are interested in Egypt, then Oxford, Cambridge or Columbia are the three top schools for the study of this subject.  However, if you want to study archaeology of a non-classical nature, then Australia is as good a place as any.  I would recommend Australia National University or the University of Western Australia.  Both have excellent Archaeology programs which also cover Lab, Anthropology, Physical Anth etc... Also, it does not matter early on what cultural area you are interested in since it is important to understand the basics, including the science behind the field  which includes Paleobotany, Osteology, Paleolimnology, Lab identification, ceramics identification etc... These are all necessary regardless of where you work in the field.  Thus start out at one of these universities and then transfer to an Oxford to continue your studies specifically in Egyptiology.  Most people I encounter get hooked on Egypt but, given the termoil in that part of the world. I would also explore other parts of the world that are less well understood.  The Archaeology of Inida, The archaeology of South East Asia, The archaeology of Oceania etc... all are in need of greater exploration.