Archaeology for the Masses
Many dictionaries and encyclopedias offer limited definitions of archaeology. Television shows, movies, and the like put together a more sensational view and archaeologists themselves seem to contribute only the "too scientific" of findings to the mix. For the average person, archaeology is glamorous - all Howard Carter and Indiana Jones. In reality, this is rarely the case.
One way to find out about the "real" archaeology is to talk to the people in the trenches. Just the other day, I had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Anna Roosevelt, a prominent archaeologist most recently noted for her views on the peopling of the Americas. Dr. Roosevelt discussed the issues she sees facing archaeologists today, her research, her humble beginnings in archaeology, and how being a Roosevelt has affected her career.
Q: What first interested you in archaeology?
A: I became interested in archaeology when I read books such as Gods, Graves, and Scholars by C.W. Ceram and was taken to archaeological sites in national parks by my mother, who was interested in archaeology.
Gods, Graves, and Scholars by C.W. Ceram is currently available from Amazon.com for less than $12.
Q: What type of person would you say would be well-suited to a career in archaeology?
A: Anyone can be an archaeologist, but those who like to be outdoors, do physical work, who like to read and discuss problems, be with diverse people and learn new things all the time might enjoy the work most.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering studying archaeology?
A: If someone is interested in archaeology they should go right ahead and study it. They should not be turned aside by anyone who says that they might not be well-suited. If they are passionately interested, they will be suited and they will do well. . . . An enthusiastic and successful archaeologist will make more than a doubtful accountant, for example.
Q: Please briefly describe your most current areas of research in layman's terms.
A: At present, I am involved in several research projects. One is a synthesis of Paleoindian archaeology. For this, I have reviewed the existing literature, visited important sites throughout the hemisphere, collected and analyzed radiocarbon date statistics, and studied collections. . . .I surveyed and excavated Paleoindian sites in the Amazon and have surveyed coastal sites in Baja California, Mexico, with a plan to go through the permit process and return to excavate. Another is my research on the history of human ecological adaptation in the Amazon. This year, I and my colleagues will carry out broad area excavations at Amazonian mound sites where we carried out several seasons of geophysical mapping and test-excavations to investigate structures and community organization. Later on, we will also excavate broad areas at an early shell-mound at a late prehistoric town in the Amazon, both of which we studied earlier during several seasons of fieldwork.
Latest Articles