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

[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!"

[cmacq]

Actually, I have a friend that did work on the archaeological crew that surveyed Area 51, back in the 80s. No mention of ETs, and no, the foremost project I’m working on now is extremely mundane, but as I work for the government certain precautions must be observed. There is after all an indirectly related and ever present safety issue. As commentary, of course institutional reports as such, may have little trouble finding fault, but often have significant problems telling the truth. It may be clear that a huge chunk of the public means will soon disappear down yet another rat hole. A bit harsh as if it were up to me, I would let the cards fall where they may, but its not. So, I serve the public interest, and in return more important pursuits suffer for lack of attention, although I redouble my efforts.


CmacQ

[Moros]

The problem with studying history is that if you have your degree you most probably won't be doing research or something afterwards. Most likely you'll teach history, a certain amount gets work in banks and insurance companies and only a lucky few will be able to put their degree to real use.

What college year are you in and what is it you study?

[Artorius Maximus]

The problem with studying history is that if you have your degree you most probably won't be doing research or something afterwards. Most likely you'll teach history, a certain amount gets work in banks and insurance companies and only a lucky few will be able to put their degree to real use.

What college year are you in and what is it you study?

I'm in my first year of college. I'm at a junior/community college right now, but in a year, I will transfer to a larger university. I study History, Political Science, English, Music, and Humanities at the moment.

[blitzkrieg80]

Cmacq, you know I always figured you were digging at Native American sites based on the juicy clues you've left... of course, coming from Nevada where mines and Native American sites is all there is really (besides dirt, rock and more 'dry-heat' -Aliens btw, although Dream Theatre rocks), i am kind of biased. I sort of figure there is no reason to be in the Southwest unless one is an archaeologist sorry all yous peoples- it's a freaking desert (which means you shouldn't be stealing water from elsewhere)! similarly I don't move to the 'lowlands' of the USA and wonder why it's flooding. also, I live where there are Tornados and I look foward to riding one, as the natural course of things go..

anyways, back to the point- am I wrong? do you never do Native American archaeological digs, ect. ? i am guessing if you're done with those assignments you can speak more freely but if you wish to not implicate yourself for all the stalkers about, I def. would understand...

[Dutchhoplite]

I can't agree with Moros more. I studied history for 7 years and i couldn't find work in the field and now i work in some company's archive which is very frustrating at times

Still: fascinating study :)

[Zeibek]

I can't agree with Moros more. I studied history for 7 years and i couldn't find work in the field and now i work in some company's archive which is very frustrating at times

I'm scared to death that that's what will happen to me. I'm only in highschool, but I know that once I get to university I'll become a history major. Well maybe not necessarily history; something like anthropolgy or linguistics is just as possible. But the thing is I don't want an academic career where I have to be in constant competition against my peers, fighting for measly grant money. But what can a history major do other than teach history, become an academic or become an archeologist?

Archaeology has never really interested me. Flamingcookbook already mentioned the disregard towards contemporary chronicles which is often exhibited in archaelogists (my aunt is married to one so I'm not riding on mere stereotypes) which puts me off, but similarly I've got this image of all classical historians as philhellenes with deep disregard towards other cultures (this image was has been created by my current history teacher who has apparently studied at Oxford). Besides history my other interests are the study of myth, linguistics and general anthropology.

However, the greatest thing hindering me is the fact that my areas of interest vary incredibly widely; just this summer I read eveything I could get my hands on about the Ainu, and now its the obscure Finnic tribes like the Chudes that provoke the most fascination in me. Before either of those it was the Indo-Iranians and the Tocharians. And those are just my historical interests, as I'm also interested in German philosphy, general literature and psychology (mostly psychoanalysis as opposed to behavioural studies).

I know that I'm still young and I've got years ahead of me, but the fact is either I'm gonna become either an academic or a teacher. And I don't want to become either. I just want to learn about the world, not build a boring and meaningless career. But unfortunately they don't pay you just for that. If they do, you have to specialize, and I don't want to.

Blaah. Sorry that this ended up being an angsty rant, but I just had to vent some pressure. Test week is coming up and I've gotta study math which I'm never gonna use.

[Gaivs]

"but it's a dry-heat!"

Was that a Dream Theater reference on the off chance?