Expert: John J. Shea - 11/23/2011

Question
Hi,
This is a concerned mother of a 12 year old boy who is very keen on being an archeologist when he grows up. He is very keen on history and other related subjects and is a fundhouse of knowledge on dinosaurs etc.

I am not sure how this career option will work for him. I have heard that it is very difficult to fund digs and at least in india, background rather than merit rules.

Will it help for him to participate in some digs before he makes up his mind? Would you know of any digs in south india that I can accompany him to? I am happy to support him in all he does - i just need a reality check.

Answer
Dear Mrs. Gopal,
I'd encourage him to go on an excavation, just to broaden his intellectual background, as well as to see if the field actually interests him.  (It is not the thrills and adventure you see in the movies.)  One can make a living at archaeology, but it is a lot of hard work.
Keep in mind that he is 12.  His interests will undoubtedly shift from subject to subject between now and when he goes off to college, where any actual training for archaeology as a profession would occur -and then only in his final years of undergraduate study, if before grad school at all.
I do not know much about Indian archaeology, but a web search, or inquiries at a good university in your area ought to lead you to reputable archaeologists who would welcome an enthusiastic young volunteer.  Your question about professional prospects for archaeology in India would best be answered by someone who actually works there.  There is a national archaeological service in India, and you might have a look to see where their offices are in that part of the country in which you live.
I hope this answer helps.  I am better at answering the scientific questions than at giving career advice. If you son does decide to stick with archaeology and six years from now wants to study the archaeology of human evolution (i.e, Paleolithic archaeology) tell him to look me up and consider applying to Stony Brook Univeristy.  We have a very strong archaeology program here and a lot of students from your country among the undergraduates.  For the very ancient time periods I study, there is very little evidence from southern India, even though it is an important link between Africa and eastern Asia.
Cheers,
John Shea
Professor of Anthropology
Stony Brook University.