AboutRalph Salier Expertise Archaeologist for the last 30 years. Norh American generalist and Hopwell culture/Red Ocher culture specifically. Lithics Expert and Ground Stone tools.
Experience
Past/Present clients Numerous museums in US and Canada. Several University Anthropology Departments.
Question I took several courses in archaeology during my time as an undergrad, but not so many as to qualify for a minor. My major was in English.
I am interested in studying archaeology in a graduate setting. Knowing that my Enlgish undergrad isn't necessarily going to get me far in this goal, I enrolled in a field school course offered by UCLA. I'll be in Belize this summer, at a site that has not yet been excavated (or looted!), and I am very excited. I am hoping that this will improve my standing and provide a source of much needed recommendation letters in the field.
My question comes, really, in two parts.
1) How much will my inexperience as an undergrad impact my ability to get into a good program? The classes I took were Archaeology of the World, Andean Archaeology, and Archaeology of Mesoamerica. Although I pursued another major, I have a lot of other qualities that may improve my standing--exceptional grades, community and university involvement, a year of national service as a , etc. I've also spent the past year as a teacher in an urban alternative high school. So, I lack the background, but I've got some other padding that I hope can bump me along.
2) What are the best programs for Mesoamerican archaeology in the US? My research interests are primarily in the development of class and privilege systems in past cultures, gender constructions, and examinations of how data is interpretted through various cultural lenses--and how those historical/modern perspectives influence our current perception of past peoples. Can you think of any good fits?
Thank you for your time,
Tina
Answer Hi Tina,
Don't let the degree in English stop you. In fact, that may be a plus since many Archaeologists can't write to save their dirt encrusted lives. The experience in Belize should be enough to have your base credentials.
I would check out the programs at U of Florida, Florida State, U of N. Texas, Rice U and U of Chicago. One way to find programs is to go to google and put in Mesoamerican archaeology grad programs and see what schools come up. Then take a look at the faculty of those schools (anth depts) and see how many members teach in that zone. More then 4 is good.
It is a great place to study with a lot of potential.
