Any professional Historians/Archaeologists on the EB Team? Some questions . . .

[Artorius Maximus]

Hello!

First of all, I would like to start off by giving my opinion of the Europa Barbarorum modification. In my opinion, it is the greatest, most detailed, and most historically accurate Rome: Total War mod. It certainly is what Rome: Total War should have been (minus the lag/low FPS of course, no offense).

Now, onto my question, are there any professional historians, archaeologists, college professors, or teachers in the EB team?

The main reason I ask, is because I want to know your opinion on me possibly pursuing the academic route of history (mostly ancient/medieval), and if it's a fairly easy or demanding career. Also, what exactly are the options for a history major? Let's just say I have a Master's Degree in History and Classics. What are the feasible possibilities? I'm a college student at the moment, and I would appreciate any help.

-Artorius Maximus

[cmacq]

A Master's, and this question is asked? As far as archaeology is concerned, to a great extent it depends on your temperament, resilience, flexibility, and financial/social goals in life. Modern archaeology is extremely regimented, in more than professional practice, and not always in a good way. Also as with academia in general, in archaeology (both academic and contract) one may note a pervasive air of exploitation and predation. Very interesting indeed, yet many very unsavory characters abound, and simply its just not everyone's cup of tea. Myself, if you've not heeded the call by this date, I might not recommend this challenging and often demanding path.


Hope this helps.


CmacQ

[Artorius Maximus]

I actually don't have a Master's, or any degree for that matter. I was just raising the question that if I do, which path should I take? I just started college for the first time September 2.

Thanks for the post too! Are you an archaeologist? Where are you doing digs at?

P.S. I know that real archaeology is nothing like Indiana Jones' portrayal of it . . . so I sort of know what type of job to expect here.

[cmacq]

Indeed, however there is far more to archaeology than digging. By digs I assume you mean on what offical projects I’m currently working. Sorry, I can't share that with you, other than it has to do with mine reclamation and an aspect of public safety. However, there are several unoffical irons in the fire, as well.




CmacQ

[||Lz3||]

he's digging UFOs for the CIA...

oh crap now we know too much...

[blitzkrieg80]

that might not be too far from the truth- he has mentioned specialization in the Southwest on occaison "but it's a dry-heat!"

[flamingcookbook]

i'm doing a history phd on thirteenth century politics and robin hood. it's relatively easy, since no one has read all the primary sources and so there's lots of ignored info. if you do medieval, make sure to learn the latin.

I wanted to be an archaeologist, but was put off by the:

1) snobbery.

2) bias towards learning about building foundations and tomb contents.

3) continual bias towards the Eastern Mediterranean and nothing else.

4) continual bias that `true history' is not to be found in contemporary chronicles but building foundations. (vomit)

Just remember, if you are a historian, you have greater flexibility, and you can do classics/archaeology work also. If you're an archaeologist, you're pretty much limited to building foundations, or temples, but usually the said foundations. It's not about history, more architecture and art.

There is a third path, classics. you just learn ancient history without the emphasis on mummies.

[Thaatu]

4) continual bias that `true history' is not to be found in contemporary chronicles but building foundations. (vomit)

Building foundations don't lie, while contemporary chronicles almost certainly do in some aspects. It's not that written sources can't be trusted at all, but that archaeological evidence can have a very different view. A cooperation between archaeological and written evidence probably leads closest that we can get to "truth".

If you're an archaeologist, you're pretty much limited to building foundations, or temples, but usually the said foundations. It's not about history, more architecture and art.

It's also waste dumps and such, which may not sound very glamorous, but it certainly reflects upon the day to day lives the inhabitants of a settlement had. Architecture and art are a part of history.