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 QUESTION: Hi! I'm a high school senior and have been interested in archaeology since 9th grade! And after returning from a trip from China I've set my heart on East Asia. So, I'm looking at a bunch of colleges but none seem to be perfect for studying East Asian archaeology. Boston University has a great program, but the tuition is ridiculous. Univ. of Delaware is something I can pay for, but doesn't have a great archaeology department. And College of William and Mary is affordable, but really selective, and although I have good grades, I'm out-of-state and I'm kind of sure I won't get in. Are there are any other colleges that you can think of that are well respected in this field?
ANSWER: Hi Ellie,
First a series of questions:
1) what state do you live in?
2) Archaeology as a field of study or specifically East Asian Studies?
3) Are you interested in metallugy or ceramics technologies?
4) Do you mind getting dirty and gritty?
5) Do you have an affinity for languages?
6) Are your parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles in the military (any aspect including retired)?
7) Would you be willing to work for the US Govt.?
8) If you were forced to change direction from Chinese archaeology, what other type of archaeology would you be interested in?
9) Do you have a back up plan?
I know that these questions may sound a bit off the wall but they are critically important when anticipating work in that part of the world.
I look forward to your responses.
Ralph
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for replying so quickly!
1) I live in Pennsylvania, but I don't really want to stay here.
2) I was thinking about Majoring in Archaeology and taking some courses that include East Asian topics.
3) Ceramic technologies is definitely something I would live, along with geology.
4) I love dirt! I performed my first archaeological dig in my back yard when I was around seven and tracked mud through the entire house.
5) I pick up languages really fast, I speak french and english - and I guess I should start working on Mandarin.
6) None of my family is in the military, but there are some ties of work in the for military operations in my close family.
7) I'm not exactly crazy about working for the US Government, but if it was my only option I would.
8) I've always liked MesoAmerica, studies of the Maya and Inca. That region would be my next choice.
9) My parents have been pressuring me about that too. I was thinking about getting a teaching certificate and trying to teach Archaeology at a University.
Thank you again very much for taking the time to so completely understand my situation!
-Ellie
Answer Hi Ellie,
Well the U of P has a good classical program but lets take a look at U of North Texas and U Florida. Also U Washington and U Cal system. All four have good programs for Meso/South America or Asian studies (latter). All are state schools and as a result are less expensive then private schools. However as an out of state student, the first year is more expensive in relative terms. You will need to become a state resident to garner the lower tuition costs.
Be sure to take some tech courses in ceramics and metallugy and Geology is also a good field of study (would make a great minor).
Good, I've know girls that would freak out if they know that they would have to learn to live with dirt under the fingernails if they became archaeologists.
Mandarin is the "formal language of CHina" but there are so many dialects, languages and regional differences that it may not help you to just learn Mandarin. For instance, the folks in Bejing and those in Shanghai both speak Mandarin but they can't understand each other!!
It is a bit like a person from Boston trying to communicate with a person from Lubbock TX, yes, they both speak English but due to regional differences they have a hard time understanding each other.
#6 is a rather critical issue. Given the ties your family has with military operations, this could become a liability for you and your family. Have those family members find out, on your behalf, if your working in China would cause them problems, and vis-a-versa.
#7 well this was something that I was confronted with. I originally wanted to work in Peru and Equador but was approached by the US Govt and was told that if I wanted to work in that region, I would need to spy for the US. Like you, I had no interest in doing so, so I switched to NA Archaeology. You may find the same issues with China and potentially in Peru/Bolivia/Equador. Just keep an open mind. Oh and Chinese will not really help you in Spanish speaking parts of the world.
To teach at the university level, you will need a PhD. This will over quallify you for most real jobs out side of Archaeology. Finding and getting jobs at this level are very hard. I've been down that road and it is very political and can be nasty. However, getting a secondary teaching certificate in History, Social Studies or something of a similar nature, allows you to have your summers off to pursue archaeological field work. I took this route for a period of time. A Masters Degree does allow you to teach at the College level by the way but it is almost as much work as secondary education but does not pay nearly as well.
Geology would be an alternative too.
Some advice I got from A famous Archaeologist, Mary Leaky: "Study Archaeology but always have a backup plan. Study Economics, Sociology, Plumbing, Electrical work any thing that will allow you to find work when work in the field is hard to find. Get a teaching certificate as this will allow you to dig in the summer and get paid year round."
Join the PA Archaeological Society and participate in digs as a volunteer. If you can, find a field school near you and participate and get college credit for the effort. Joing www.shovelbums.org and take a look at the field schools available. They also list job openings. Take a look at these and see what knowledge base is required and make sure that these are courses you can take so that you can fulfill these requirements.
And if you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I hope that this information is of value and will help you make some choices.
