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 am 59 and will retire soon at 65. I want to study archeology and get an associate degree. I live in Tacoma Washington and want to know how to start. Who do I talk to? Can I study something through the library system, or with the local colleges at night before i retire? What are my chances here or do I need to relocate? Thank you. Joseph.
Answer Hi Joseph,
The university system in Washington state has a reasonably well respected degree program in the field, some branches better then others but all are good. I'm not aware of any programs at the JC level. But to get work in the field, you will need a BA in Anthropology. Thus, you can start out at the JC level if you choose to get all of the prereqs done and out of the way. But before you go through this time and effort, see if your life's work will garner you a degree of some sort or provide a workable number of college credits. Go to the admissions office of the university in Tacoma and let them evaluate your "resume" for work credit. Most colleges and universities will do this. You may have enough credits to be a Jr or even a Sr or perhaps get a degree. If this is the case, then you may be eligible to take the higher level courses in Anthropology and Archaeology in a more immediate time frame.
As for finding work in the field. There are lots of shove bum type jobs so join the web site www.shovelbums.org and keep an eye on things going on in Washington State. There are field schools etc...
I must warn you however. If you are not in good physical condition and I mean as if you were 22 or 23 again, it is a lot of hard work, can be stressful and field work is hot, dirty and back breaking. Do not take this move lightly. I'm 55 and have been in the field a long time so I know of what I'm talking about. There is an old joke in Archaeology: " There are no old diggers because we've dug our own graves".
