Expert: Ralph Salier - 5/16/2009

Question
Hi Ralph,

I'm presently working as a computer software programmer. I realized during my college life that I was truly interested in making a career out of archaeology, but I was already into engineering (computer science). Can I now jump to this field, after having worked in software for over 3 years & being less than 28 years?
I live in India. Can I combine my present career with archaeology, are there any such jobs available? Your answer will be much appreciated & would be very helpful.

Regards,
Chandra

Answer
Hi Chandra,

You may want to focus on a more unique type of archaeology which is a marriage of the more technical field you are in and "dirt archaeology".  There is a great need for the development of the new technologies in aiding the archaeologist in understanding what lies below the surface of the ground.  To this end, side scan radar, deep layer sisemology, GIS, Space Photograph and other digital methodologies are being modified from their original intent for use in archaeology.  This needs to continue as does new technologies and perhaps a global relational database system that can help us relate widely spaced sites with each other based on age or other parameters.

University of Chicago, Stanford University (California), University of Arizona, Columbia University, Cambridge University, the Soborne in France, and even some of the universities in India may be interested in such as cross over major.