Expert: Ralph Salier - 11/14/2007

Question
QUESTION: hello, I will be attending The university of Buffalo for their anthropology/ archaeology program in the spring. I visited the school and was pleased with what I saw. I would like to get some outside advice on if the University of Buffalo is a good school for archaeology or is there better out there in the area or neighboring states. Also Im a scuba diver and would like to get into the field of underwater archaeology. What college would be the best for that.  Thank you

ANSWER: Hi Paul,

UB has a good program but not for underwater archaeology. U of Florida has both good programs in Anthro/Archeology + underwater archeology.  They have several programs at different campus locations so check them all out.

Also, besure that you study something else as a minor such as economics, psychology, etc... that way when it is hard to find work, you have something you can fall back on.  Even teaching would be a good alternative.  Another good area is under water welding, those guys make big bucks but have a limited work life.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the advice. I am currently in school for being a x ray tech but archaeology has always been my passion. So for something to fall back on I will hage that x ray tech degree. Is there anyway I can use that degree in archaeology, for example x ray of mummys etc. And if so how does one get into that? is this a whole other field to get into?

ANSWER: Hi Paul,  Sure is, there are several fields that might be of interest, 1) Forensic Anthropology (as in Bones on TV) 2) Physical Anthropology which is broadening our understanding of human migration and evolution (including bones and lots of x-rays,ct scans etc...) 3) physical Archaeology which looks at the context in which bones are found and then the identification of those bones (comparative osteology) and 4) Genetic Osteology looking at family relationships between bones found at sites.

All of which uses x-rays and other medical techniques to do  the work.  U of Arizona, Northwestern and Wayne State all are good schools for the more medical side of anthro.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I looked more into underwater archaeology and came up with two colleges. Texas  and east Caroloina university. I spoke with advisors at each but im still 50/50 on which to go to and the differences between them. Texas is more into ancient world underwater archaeology and supposedly does more field schools, and North caroloina is more focused on civil war and new age archaeology  but will get you a job for government and contractors in the US. Would it matter realy which to go to and what is your opinion on the two, pros? cons? field schools? what kind of job after graduation?

Answer
Hi Paul,

Both are good schools, both have good programs. Both do field schools including under water field schools. (UT is working on an early ship near the coast down here).  There are jobs with the government and thru private contractors but you do need experiance first and the best way to get it is both land and underwater field schools.  You will need to take courses in CRM (Cultural Resource Management) and also RPA certification.  

Pros and cons, both have good programs and field schools. UF has good programs too and Columbia is doing Greek ship wrecks in the Med.

Join www.shovelbums.com (or .org) and this will give you an idea of the jobs that are out there. Not much in underwater work to be frank.