Results 1 to 23 of 23

Thread: Archaeology

  1. #1
    Darcy Foxx
    Guest

    Default Archaeology

    I'm thinking about going back to university, this time to study a degree in Archaeology.

    Sure, it's not the most practical of degrees, but it's something I've always wanted to do so badly and I've always been really interested in it.

    I tried university once before, and dropped out after just a few weeks. But last time it was not what I wanted to do. I'd come straight out of busting my ass at school for 13 years, I'd just moved from the country to the city and started stripping and discovered nightclubs and parties, I was really only doing university at all because my parents said I had to and really kinda pushed me into doing journalism, I wasn't driving so had to rely on inconvenient public transport, I didn't have a home computer as I'd just moved out of home into a sharehouse with friends which made it really difficult to do assignments... basically uni was just not right for me back then.

    But now I wanna try again.

    I don't suppose anyone here has studied archaeology, or worked in that area? Just wanting to get some more insight into it.

    Meh, either way, I think it'll be fun!!

  2. #2
    Yekhefah
    Guest

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Go for it! One of the most important archaeological finds in history occurred near Adelaide. Maybe you'll make the next one! Australia still has so many surprises...

  3. #3
    aussiepunkshocker
    Guest

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Do it!!! I reckon it would be so much fun as well as hell interesting! I have even considered this myself recently. Ive been watching Time Team like its going out of fashion (ABC Tuesday around 6pm) and just loving the show and wishing I still lived in England because I would definatly do it if I was.
    One of my exes did a few digs and it sounded amazing - and yeah fun too!

  4. #4
    Darcy Foxx
    Guest

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Awesome. As a kid it was always my dream to be an archaeologist or a palaentologist and go to Egypt and dig things up or go somewhere and research dinosaurs and stuff. I really wanted to apply for the archaeology degree when I was in my final year of high school but my parents said "That's not a real job. You should be a journalist. You'd be soooo good at it. Blah blah blah". But now that I'm at a point where I can make my own decisions more easily, I think it's something I really wanna do.

    Even if it means when I get old and can't strip anymore, I can work in a museum!

  5. #5
    Banned ArmySGT.'s Avatar
    Joined
    May 2005
    Location
    SW Counter Troll HQ
    Posts
    5,582
    Thanks
    1,589
    Thanked 1,674 Times in 1,043 Posts
    Blog Entries
    13
    My Mood
    Amused

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Yao have to be good a research, have a very high attention to detail, enjoy physical labor, and be very tolerant of icky and dirty (10,000 yr old Abo poop). With funds coming from grants and loans I can imagine competition is atleast cut throat. There is fame for you with successes. Its like Clue but all the victims, witnesses, and subjects are dead.

    If this stuff doesn't interest you than Archaeology might not. Though there are of course digs covering all time periods. I had a Boss who was absolutley passionate about Biblical archaeology.



    Oh and you need the PHD to be accepted.

  6. #6
    God/dess PookaShell's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Location
    The middle of a field in the south texas countryside...
    Posts
    4,186
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 13 Times in 8 Posts

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Omg, I'm super interested in Archeology and Paleontology as well. If I could have any job in the world it would be a really talented Archeologist that traveled all over and stuff. Teach me stuff when you get in classes!

  7. #7
    Yekhefah
    Guest

    Default Re: Archaeology

    LOL, PookaShell Jones, cracking her whip and saving the Ark of the Covenant from the Nazis!

  8. #8
    Darcy Foxx
    Guest

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Well, if I do it, it won't be til next year, as I've missed the application date for the universities for this year. But that's okay, gives me some time to think it over.

  9. #9
    God/dess PookaShell's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Location
    The middle of a field in the south texas countryside...
    Posts
    4,186
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 13 Times in 8 Posts

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Quote Originally Posted by Yekhefah View Post
    LOL, PookaShell Jones, cracking her whip and saving the Ark of the Covenant from the Nazis!

  10. #10
    Banned ArmySGT.'s Avatar
    Joined
    May 2005
    Location
    SW Counter Troll HQ
    Posts
    5,582
    Thanks
    1,589
    Thanked 1,674 Times in 1,043 Posts
    Blog Entries
    13
    My Mood
    Amused

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Fedora, Bullwhip, and Stripper heels. Yep. Um Hmmmmmmmm. Yep.

  11. #11
    Moderator Djoser's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Key West
    Posts
    16,343
    Thanks
    1,395
    Thanked 5,487 Times in 2,768 Posts

    Default Re: Archaeology

    I thought I was destined to be an Egyptologist, until my last couple years in college.

    I had taught myself how to write hieroglyphics, except getting beyond the infamous 'sedjem-ef' verbal difficulties. Reading them, a different matter--not nearly as easy without serious instruction, especially as the styles changed a lot over two thousand years and more. But I digress again, sorry.

    I used it to get a scholarship to University of Chicago, one of the world's foremost centers of Egyptological knowledge, etc., etc.--they have a branch in Egypt, it's serious. It was worth more than 100 grand today.

    But I backed out, though I got to keep the scholarship and graduate.

    Since I wound up getting into architectural illustration as a career until 8 years ago, I would love to combine the interests--my pet project is a detailed aerial view in pen & ink (which could be easily colored), of the Step Pyramid complex at Saqqara, built by none other than Djoser himself (for real, google it).

    He built it next to a big row of huge mastaba tombs of the first kings of Egypt. Over the next thousand years or so a lot of other kings built pyramids and temples right next to it on purpose, too, so it would be quite a drawing. But I have yet to begin, sorry to say.

    Why did I back out of this exciting life?


    If you want to do the serious digging, you're going to have to live in tents for 6 months in the desert (jungle, mountains, whatever) out of the year, mostly with serious (if often very fascinating) nerds. You have to wake up at dawn, and there's no point in staying up late anyway, there's nowhere to go.

    The more I thought about that, the more I knew I'd be miserable. I am a night person, and I need more on a saturday night than the tent next door, where everyone's asleep anyway.


    Museum work, on the other hand, is a different matter. My mom used to push me to try it but it never grabbed me. I often wonder if I should have. For a woman of your experience, however, it might be quite natural.

    One of your most important tasks as curator of any museum with an archeological (or other) focus will be to charm wealthy people into donating money. This should be a simple matter, lol...

    There's also a theatrical/social aspect to museum work, what with the opening galas of new exhibits, etc. Your experience putting on a show would do well there, too. Obviously you aren't going to put a pole up next to the Mummy Room, lol--but there are priciples of showmanship and entertainment that don't change.

    Please keep us posted!
    You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.
    Friedrich Nietzsche

    Free your mind, and your ass will follow.
    George Clinton

    ______________________________________

  12. #12
    Featured Member Lola Lee's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Plastic & Powder, Arizona
    Posts
    946
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts

    Default Re: Archaeology

    I got my B.A. college degree in Physical Anthropology/Archaeology. It is an absolutely AMAZING field of study. I want to go back and get my Masters, possibly even PHD.

    Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot of money to be made in the field and career options are limited. Academic Teaching, Research, Field Study, Museum Curation, Government and private company contract work is about the sum of it.

    Actually, I was able to negotiate a job with a major Oil and Gas Company in Houston, TX because of my study. (That was pre Enron and 9/11...thus explaining what I do now...)

    Below is a recent field discovery which absolutely intrigues me and makes me passionate about archaeology....



    http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070208...H1vgynDNUTO7gF

    Look closely and read the article. It will make you think.




    "Go Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams...Live the Life You Have Imagined" -- Henry David Thoreau

    "You Will Be Successful in Business and Married Life" -- Fortune Cookie

  13. #13
    Featured Member Prester_John's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2003
    Location
    The Wastelands of New Jersey
    Posts
    1,839
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 14 Times in 9 Posts

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Archaeology isnt just digs in Egypt and finding new dinosaur fossils. Some of the most fascinating Archaeology digs I read about/saw mere much more contemporary.

    I recently saw a special on History International about a find of about two thousand skeletons buried in a mass grave in Vilnius, Lithuania. Most people assumed that it was a mass grave of victims of the Soviet era, which was a natural assumption, since sites like those of people who were killed by the Soviet Union are being found all over the place in that area. However, when they got archaeologists involved, it turned out they were off by over 150 years.

    It was a mass grave of soldiers from Napoleon's "Grand Armee" who had invaded Russia in 1812. Napoleon went into Russia with over 600,000 men, and came back with barely 100,000. The Vilnius gravesite excavation showed that the skeletons buried there were buried during the retreat back to France.

    Utterly fascinating stuff. If you really go into this field, I envy you. Archaeology is as much an exploration of history as teach or writing books is. Its hands on and down and dirty history - which is the best way for it to be.

  14. #14
    Yekhefah
    Guest

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Wow, Lola, that's really fascinating!

    Similarly, I often think about going back and studying geology. I can't bring myself to give up film, but in my other life I'm a geologist. It's an amazingly interesting subject to me.

  15. #15
    Featured Member Lola Lee's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Plastic & Powder, Arizona
    Posts
    946
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Quote Originally Posted by Yekhefah View Post
    Wow, Lola, that's really fascinating!

    Similarly, I often think about going back and studying geology. I can't bring myself to give up film, but in my other life I'm a geologist. It's an amazingly interesting subject to me.
    Yeah, some of the science bloggers have nicknamed the remains Adam and Eve, also Romeo and Juliet. I guess the quandry is whether they died together in each others arms or were placed in that position during a burial ceremony. Either way, an immaculate display of love and mystery.




    "Go Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams...Live the Life You Have Imagined" -- Henry David Thoreau

    "You Will Be Successful in Business and Married Life" -- Fortune Cookie

  16. #16
    Featured Member Hello_Kitty27's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    1,818
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts

    Default Re: Archaeology

    A degree is a degree....it doesn't really matter what it's in. If that's what is exciting to you, then go for it. I don't know very many people that work in their field of study. Simply having the degree opens up various business opportunities. I think you should go for it. That way, if and when you decide to stop dancing, you will have something to fall back on. I know things are different country to country, but I know I'm having a hard time landing a GOOD job without a degree, even though I have tons of great work experience as well as great references. (which is exactly why I'm back in school!)






    (just click to donate FREE food to those in need...REALLY!)

  17. #17
    God/dess Nautilus's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2005
    Location
    a safe place for dancers, just ask me
    Posts
    2,132
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts

    Default Re: Archaeology

    i was watching 'the mummy' last night and thought of you digging away, or just drifting round the dig dressed up like anuksanamun. *waggles eyebrows*
    Last edited by Nautilus; 12-08-2008 at 06:55 PM.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  18. #18
    Veteran Member JettaNyx's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2006
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    378
    Thanks
    12
    Thanked 65 Times in 28 Posts
    My Mood
    Sleepy

    Default Re: Archaeology

    i have a friend who is like..2 years away from his masters in Archeology specializing in south american cultures, last summer he went on 2 digs with the school. one of his teachers is an forhensic anthropologist...she says she teaches in the evening so sshe can talk with living humans

  19. #19
    God/dess gypsy_girlchild's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Va mostly
    Posts
    2,750
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 52 Times in 41 Posts

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Good luck! I am thinking of going back to school to become a vet. This time I want a degree that I really want.
    have at it!
    Please don't lick me, it tickles..



  20. #20
    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Another Country
    Posts
    18,664
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 148 Times in 100 Posts

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Oh you just KNOW those two people died strangling eachother. Love? Ha!

    Anyway, DO IT! I can live vicariously through you! International schooling for people like me is SO expensive (full amount for uni x3 up front - cash....)


    Look like a woman
    Think like a man
    Act like a lady
    Work like a dog

    - My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success

  21. #21
    God/dess GoldCoastGirl's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2002
    Location
    ...hehehe... email me to ask me where i am ! (i dare you!)
    Posts
    11,486
    Thanks
    42
    Thanked 127 Times in 51 Posts

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Quote Originally Posted by gypsy_girlchild View Post
    Good luck! I am thinking of going back to school to become a vet. This time I want a degree that I really want.
    have at it!
    If i had the 'head' for being a vet or even a vet nurse I would do so in a heartbeat yet the science part is the killer for me.......... or anything involving math. I'm not "mathematically" gifted by a loooooooooooooooooong shot!

    I still say go for it Darcy. Aim to do it next year. Save up now so you are worry free and can concentrate on 'school' and not work!


    enter: E3167322D9 for your 10% discount

  22. #22
    God/dess scarlett_vancouver's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Vancouver, BC
    Posts
    6,699
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts

    Default Re: Archaeology

    I totally believe in studies for the sake of studies. I haven't studied archaeology, but I love archaeologists by default because their work makes a lot of my studies possible (evolutionary biology).

    I say go for it. Try one class by distance ed first, to see if you're into studying again.

    Feature costumes for sale!

  23. #23
    Featured Member Lola Lee's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Plastic & Powder, Arizona
    Posts
    946
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts

    Default Re: Archaeology

    Quote Originally Posted by lilithmorrigan View Post
    Oh you just KNOW those two people died strangling eachother. Love? Ha!

    Anyway, DO IT! I can live vicariously through you! International schooling for people like me is SO expensive (full amount for uni x3 up front - cash....)
    Gosh Lillith, can't we give some *hope* for mankind....but, you are probably right




    "Go Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams...Live the Life You Have Imagined" -- Henry David Thoreau

    "You Will Be Successful in Business and Married Life" -- Fortune Cookie

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 17
    Last Post: 07-16-2007, 11:30 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •