A future in archaeology?

[OnceAndFutureGrad]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask a number of archaeology people some questions. I know you're all jumpy and anxious dealing with graduate school results at the moment, so I understand if you find me impertinent or presumptuous. If you could spare a few moments, though, I would really appreciate your input.

I'm 23 years old and about to finish an MA in Medieval Studies with a focus in art history. Just before this I got my BA in History and Medieval Studies, including a year abroad at UCC in Ireland and a 28,000-word senior thesis on early Icelandic history. My true passion is the early medieval north Atlantic, c. 400-1100.

As you can see from my signature I applied to art history and Medieval Studies PhDs and I have five art history programs to hear from yet. But the more I think about early medieval art, the more I realize that I actually care about material culture itself. I am seriously considering taking a year off to regroup and reconsider my future, and it is possible that that future is in historical archaeology.

Now, don't worry, I've only seen Indiana Jones once and not even the whole way through. I know that archaeology involves painstakingly careful excavation and cataloging and it is not at all glamorous. I also know that I have to start over somewhat - I'm just hoping that I don't have to return to undergrad. Fortunately I am young, and have no debt from my current or previous programs, so I am willing to spend the time and money to get into the field properly.

It seems like the next step would be to attend a field school to see if I can really withstand the challenges of excavation. Unfortunately searches on Shovel Bums and Google are not turning up anything near me so it may be a while before I can afford to travel to one. Does the period and location of the dig matter, or is it more important just to have experience? Are some field schools better than others, and/or should certain ones be avoided altogether?

If I decided to continue, I would like to get an MA or other post-graduate degree in archaeology. Could I do this with an undergraduate degree in history? Because of my particular interest, it seems like getting a degree in northern Europe would be ideal. The UK distance learning programs, such as those offered by U of Leicester and U of Exeter, seem absolutely perfect for me. Are these too good to be true? Do you have any experience either with these programs, or their graduates?

I really appreciate your help. Thank you very much.

[anthropologygeek]

Normally field schools are listed under various profs websites. There are various kinds with some in the us and some abroad. Field school is a great idea.

[whatshewrote]

Hi again, RecycledViking! I hope I can help a little here... Coincidentally, I am also a medievalist AND have done historical archaeology (also because of a love of the study of material culture). After I finished undergrad (where I was also a history major - I can't foresee that being a problem), I worked for almost a year as a field intern at James Madison's historic home, Montpelier, in VA. I actually did this since I'm interested in, perhaps down the road, exploring medieval archaeology. I agree w/ anthropologygeek - a field school is the best place to start. You can learn all the basics there, and it's the easiest way to get a sense of whether archaeology's a career that would appeal to you or not. I did my field school at Montpelier, and there's an arrangement there that if you complete the field school, you can stay on as an intern. There's a (small) stipend and free housing, so it was a sweet deal. I don't know if other field schools have arrangements like this, but you should check around. I will just add that Montpelier was an awesome place to work (shameless plug).

Yes, it is absolutely sloooow, painstaking work. And there's a lot of stopping and filling out of paperwork involved. And it's eight hours a day of physical, dirty labor. One thing I missed was wearing nice clothes and not having dirt permanently caked under my fingernails. However, it can also be extremely rewarding, and tons of fun if you like your coworkers. I mean, you're outside, in the fresh air, and you can talk and joke while being productive!

I hope this helps. Browse around for some field schools that look interesting, and maybe look for an internship after that. You definitely need an advanced degree if you want to move beyond field tech, but, by gaining experience, I bet you'd qualify for one w/ no problem.

Best of luck in your decision process!

[beb205]

Hey! I don't post much but I saw that you were thinking about an MA at the University of Exeter. I don't know about the distance learning thing, but I honestly would never recommend a distance learning degree. They are basically cash makers for the schools and you just won't get the experience you would if you were here. But I am currently doing my MA in Classical Archaeology here and I love it. I think it would be IDEAL for your situation honestly (or another UK university that is similar).

Some Reasons:

1. They have a rolling application deadline, so you could apply now and still get in quite easily. You've missed the deadline for funding, but since you said you could possibly afford to pay for it, then it shouldn't be a problem. Then you wouldn't have to take a year off if you didn't want to.

3. The degree only takes a year so it wouldn't really set you back time wise. However, it basically crams a 2 year degree into a year, so its very intensive but good because you would learn a great deal quickly, which sounds like what you are looking for to bring you up to speed for PhD programs/apply for jobs in archaeology.

2. I have a friend who is doing a MA in Medieval Studies here but also takes courses in Archaeology. The MAs are set up in such a way that you can take courses from other departments, so I think it would be great to do an MA in Archaeology here since you could still take some Medieval studies courses. There are people in archaeology that work in this area as well. (I would check out the faculty website)

3. Your already in Europe and will have lots of access to digs in the area you want to focus on. Sometimes you can do volunteer work around Devon as well. And the term is set up so you could do work over Spring break in case you wanted to move back to the US before summer.

4. Exeter is a GREAT city and relatively cheap to live in. The University itself is really fantastic too and you would be able to get up to speed quickly here with the help of some really good faculty.

There are more reasons too, but those are just a few. I think British MAs are perfect for taking a year to figure out what you want to do while becoming more knowledgeable about a topic. Just a warning though, if you are going to go I'd suggest doing it now (Fall 2011). In 2012 tuition fees are going to raise more than double what they cost now (for all UK schools not just Exeter) and if you think you'll have to pay for it, you will save a ton of money by just going next year. They are pretty good with scholarships (I was fully funded) but I'm guessing these will soon be cut down considerably as well. Just some advise, I hope that helps!

If I decided to continue, I would like to get an MA or other post-graduate degree in archaeology. Could I do this with an undergraduate degree in history? Because of my particular interest, it seems like getting a degree in northern Europe would be ideal. The UK distance learning programs, such as those offered by U of Leicester and U of Exeter, seem absolutely perfect for me. Are these too good to be true? Do you have any experience either with these programs, or their graduates?

I really appreciate your help. Thank you very much.

[mutualist007]

RV

I think the Exeter and Leicester options would be ideal for you as a follow up to a field school.

Do you have a research question in mind? A Problem to solve? That may lead you to the best path. May... It's not working for me now though

Now I have to hijack the thread:

Can you tell me more about your research sources for Medieval Iceland? Any recommendations for US specialists besides the West Coast which I am about to list, and Penn State?

Early Iceland is one of my research interests (in addition to near East and north China trade routes) and something I considered for research, though P. Walker, Byock, Erlandson and all have been on it.

[elunia]

Look for field schools and field opportunities here: http://archaeological.org/

If you go as a "volunteer" rather than a student (on a dig that isn't a field school) you will most likely only have to pay travel, room and board, and not tuition.

EDIT: Here's the direct link: http://archaeological.org/fieldwork/afob

Edited March 9, 2011 by elunia

[PhD or Bust]

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