Archeology still has an aura of romance and exciting discoveries, which perhaps explains why you chose this course, for which this book is primarily intended. You will soon learn that archeology, while often fascinating and sometimes practiced in distant places, is a highly technical science in which spectacular discoveries are few and far between. It is true that discoveries such as the burial of Mochica rulers at Sipan or the Uluburun shipwreck sometimes make headlines, but the fact remains that most archaeologists work away from the public eye, often on unattractive and monotonous sites and on obscure problems. Of course, a character like Indiana Jones is not suitable for archaeology. And he never did. Indiana Jones is a complete fiction, a character based on the stories of well-known early 20th century archaeologists whose discoveries and adventures were truly larger than life. Today's archaeologist is a far cry from Professor Jones and works far from the halls of academia. So what qualities make a good archaeologist in these days of highly specialized research and a wide range of career options? Character traits are as important as academic preparation, otherwise you will not succeed as an archaeologist. This profession has its own unique advantages. Money is not one of them (see box “The Practice of Archaeology”).
If you decide to become an archaeologist
Many people become archaeologists almost by accident. A little field experience during their studies could be of interest and they would want something more. One becomes an archaeologist differently than one becomes a priest, a nurse, or a soldier; in these cases, a greater initial interest is required. You can ease your way into your specialty while having fun.
Almost everyone working in archeology today either encountered it in school or became interested in it by taking an introductory archeology course as a subject at college or university. Many are lucky - they got a good teacher - one of those who kindles interest in a specialty about which they knew nothing before. So, what to do if you have an interest in the past?
PRACTICE OF ARCHEOLOGY
PERSONAL QUALITIES REQUIRED FROM AN ARCHAEOLOGISTAny person who wants to become an archaeologist needs much more than a university degree. Here are some required qualities.
Enthusiasm, even a passion for archeology and the past is the main thing for anyone who goes into the field. Archeology is driven by passion, the best archaeologists are those who have a kind of “fire in their chest” that gives them the strength to overcome practical obstacles and routine, get money and get the job done. Personal charisma produces good archaeological leaders, provided they have the patience to do the little things.
Infinite Patience during field and other work where slow, methodical, frequently repeated actions are required. Sometimes you have to deal with difficult people.
Attention to detail. There are a lot of little things and details in archeology - you need to not miss the tiny features of a stone tool or clay shard, you need to study tiny fragments of the past for weeks, analyze computer data. Both excavations and other research, not to mention laboratory work, require the greatest patience and the desire to scrupulously delve into the details.
Adaptability, the ability to adapt to long journeys, to adapt to uncomfortable working conditions in the field and to primitive living conditions. You need to be prepared to travel long distances and be able to show ingenuity in difficult and sometimes extreme conditions. Imagine, for example, that your Land Rover broke down several hundred kilometers from the nearest service station.
Developed organizational skills, because in archeology, logistics and organization of field teams, maintaining archives, even kitchens in the camp play a big role. Organizational abilities are a great asset.
Sensitivity to other cultures and forms of existence, as well as the ability to communicate simply necessary. Many successful practicing archaeologists spend a lot of time working and communicating with Native Americans and other peoples. This requires patience and sensitivity, which will ultimately have undoubted benefits, and not only professionally. This is one of the reasons why knowledge of the basics of anthropology is so important for an archaeologist.
Commitment to the ethical standards of archeology is also required. Don't try to become a professional unless you are willing to follow the rules, some of which are outlined in Chapter 2.
Sense of humor really very important. Because many archaeologists take themselves too seriously. You haven't had to work on an article for a whole week and suddenly your computer crashes. And you didn't save the text. Such cases occur with enviable regularity during field research. This is why a sense of humor is required, because even in professional activities, it is quite rare that everything goes as planned.
The most important traits are enthusiasm and dedication. They will help you get through almost anything.
First, take as many archeology courses as possible, taught by different teachers. Start with a fundamental course, in which the methods and theories used are most fully disclosed and systematized. (If it doesn't discourage you from continuing, then you're on the right track, since these courses aren't particularly exciting.) Then, to get a sense of which major topics in archaeology interest you and which ones you don't, choose a range of courses covering whole areas. areas. Do not forget that if you are aiming for graduate school, then you need to understand which area the topic of your future dissertation will be devoted to.
Second, try to gain as broad a knowledge of general biological and cultural anthropology as possible in order to narrow your area of interest and understand whether you are more interested in people of the present or the past. If you continue on your path to becoming a professional, you will never regret the time you put into it.
Third, take as many courses in related disciplines as possible. This will develop your understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of archaeology. For example, one of the most interesting and important problems in archeology is the emergence of agriculture, and its solution can only be approached from a multidisciplinary perspective. Most projects within cultural resource management are multidisciplinary in nature.
And lastly, gain experience working in the field and in laboratories while still a student. Such experience, especially of a general nature, is useful for those applying for graduate school. And even more importantly, it will allow you to experience the challenges and realities of working in the field and in the laboratory before it becomes your job (and graduate school should be viewed as just that - a job).
If you take the time to gain work experience in archeology as an undergraduate, you will be well prepared for graduate school and pursuing a professional career.
Field work experience
“How can I take part in the excavations?” - we are often asked this question, especially by junior students. The good news is that there are more opportunities to work in the fields now than before. As long as you put some effort into finding them. Start by taking a fieldwork course if your department offers one, use your personal contacts, and look on the bulletin board (see the section on "Practicing Archaeology").
Now is not the best time to become an academic archaeologist, as places are few and competition is high. But it is an excellent time to consider a career as an archaeologist in the public or private sectors, which account for much of the research in North America.
Academic archeology. This area is on the verge of extinction. Until a generation ago, almost all archaeologists were members of academic institutions or worked in research institutes and museums. Purely academic archeology still dominates the training of both undergraduate and graduate students. Many young people entering educational institutions have a strong intention of becoming a “traditional” scientist. But the growth in academic career is very slow now. Some programs are being cut (Zeitlin, 1997).
PRACTICE OF ARCHEOLOGY
OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN FIELD RESEARCHThere are many such opportunities if you bother and look for them. Here are some options:
Volunteer to participate in excavations or surveys conducted by your own institute. Ask your teachers, when they see that you have serious intentions, they may well invite you to work in the field or in the laboratory.
Volunteer field work sponsored by a local or national organization, such as a historical society, museum, or government agency. Many of our students have worked as interns for the National Park Service and other organizations. The Internet, as well as your department's notice board, can be a useful source of information. See the list of information sources at the end of the chapter.
Visiting field schools. Many institutions sponsor summer credit field schools. The best schools are very popular, and you can get into them on a competitive basis. Field schools are useful because they combine excavation, laboratory work, and academic teaching. The camaraderie in such establishments can be remembered for a long time. Very often, experience at such a school helps to obtain qualifications that allow you to get a summer job at a research institute or private company. The American Archaeological Society (see the end of the chapter for useful addresses) sends mailings, including to your faculty. Choose your field school carefully! Not all are the same and you should consult with your instructors before making a decision. I warn you, beware of field schools that offer to participate in excavations in distant countries, especially in the eastern Mediterranean, they charge high fees and use students as unskilled labor, you will not learn anything there. Before signing the documents, insist on being given details of previous students and contact them.
Participation in professional excavations abroad. The Archaeological Institute of America and the British Archaeological Council (see useful addresses) provide lists of professional excavations where serious volunteers are invited. Sometimes they provide cheap or even free housing.
Volunteer to participate in excavations as part of cultural resource management projects. This is where many of our students get their first fieldwork experience. This is first voluntary and then paid work. It's definitely worth checking out private companies working in this area in your area, as well as checking with your professors who may have such information.
Most archaeological research in North America and many parts of Europe is now carried out as part of RBM projects, many of which are carried out under legal requirements. This means that more and more (of course not all) academic archaeological projects at American universities are being conducted outside the United States, but in Europe, Central America, and the Andes. In established fields such as Central American studies, there is intense competition for rare academic positions and even more applicants for academic positions in North American archaeology.
Only 35% of American archaeologists work on academic projects, and this number is declining every year (Zeitlin, 1997). The bottom line is simple: if you want to become an academic archaeologist, prepare to specialize or work in areas where there are already too many specialists, and leave your many skills in reserve.
Work in museums is difficult to find, especially purely research work. Working in museums is good and requires special skills in conservation, organizing exhibitions, and preserving collections.
Cultural Resource Management and Community Archeology. There are almost unlimited opportunities available for people wishing to pursue a career in the conservation and management of archaeological resources (Green and Doershuk, 1998). The greatest opportunities for an archaeologist are in public archeology and the private sector, where the problems being solved are much more complex than traditional academic problems.
If you are interested in public archeology or RBM, you have the choice of working for a government or non-government organization involved in RBM projects. These organizations may be non-profit, affiliated with a museum or university, or for-profit, operating exclusively in the private sector. The latter may vary in organization and size. Large companies can offer good opportunities and prospects, especially for budding archaeologists. Most of the activities of public archeology are carried out by state-owned companies, although there are also private firms.
If you choose the public sector, you will have opportunities to work for many federal government agencies, such as the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Many archaeologists work on archaeological projects commissioned by states or historical societies. For example, the Ohio State Historical Society often employs archaeologists.
The profession of an archaeologist is one of those few specialties that are shrouded in an aura of romance, mystery and, if you like, even mysticism. In the minds of many, archaeologists are akin to treasure hunters, with the only difference being that for the former, the search for ancient artifacts is “art for art’s sake,” and for the latter, the main goal is profit. Due to their lack of self-interest, archaeologists are often perceived as eccentrics, out of touch with reality and mired in the affairs of bygone days.
Archaeologist profession refers to those few specialties that are shrouded in an aura of romance, mystery and, if you like, even mysticism. In the minds of many, archaeologists are akin to treasure hunters, with the only difference being that for the former, the search for ancient artifacts is “art for art’s sake,” and for the latter, the main goal is profit. Due to their lack of self-interest, archaeologists are often perceived as eccentrics, out of touch with reality and mired in the affairs of bygone days.
It should be noted that archeology belongs to those areas of science that do not tolerate random people. That is why people who want to become archaeologists need to carefully familiarize themselves with the features of this profession, and only then decide whether it is suitable for them or not.
What is an archaeologist?
– a scientist engaged in excavations of ancient settlements and the study of artifacts (material sources) found during excavations, which make it possible to recreate the life and culture of people of different eras. The name of the profession comes from the Greek "archaios" (ancient) and logos (study) - that is, the study of the ancient.
The first archaeologist can be considered the great poet and thinker Lucretius, who back in the 1st century BC. was able to determine that the Stone Age was replaced by the Bronze Age, and the Bronze Age was replaced by the Iron Age. The term "archaeology" was first used by Plato, who thus designated the "history of past times."
In the modern world, archeology is usually divided into three types:
- field – excavation of material sources on land;
- underwater - searching for evidence of the past under water;
- experimental - reconstruction of objects used by ancient people, using materials and technologies characteristic of the era under study.
Archaeologists themselves, as a rule, can be divided into groups of specialists involved in the study of specific regions and historical periods. For example, there is a group of scientists dedicated exclusively to the study of the Paleolithic era in Central Asia.
The main task of an archaeologist is to search for artifacts, followed by their examination in the laboratory, restoration (if necessary) and drawing conclusions based on the facts identified. The task of archaeologists also includes the preservation of the found material sources, their classification and description.
What personal qualities should an archaeologist have?
Archaeologist's work Only true enthusiasts can do it, for whom excavations and the study of antiquities are a calling, and not random episodes in life. A real archaeologist must have the following personal qualities:
- sincere love of history;
- a tendency towards asceticism;
- physical endurance;
- equilibrium;
- Analytical mind;
- ability to work in a team;
- excellent health;
- patience;
- predisposition to deduction.
Well, and most importantly, since archaeologists very often have to master not only related professions (soil science, topography, geography, etc.), but also specialties far from archeology(anthropology, chemistry, heraldry, etc.), a true fan of his field is distinguished by a pronounced thirst for new knowledge and skills, as well as the ability to educate himself.
Advantages of being an archaeologist
The obvious, and perhaps the only advantage of being an archaeologist, is, of course, the opportunity to travel a lot and for a long time in the company of like-minded people. In addition, an archaeologist spends most of his time outdoors, which can also be considered an advantage of this profession. To some extent, an irregular work schedule can also be considered an advantage, but only conditionally, since most often excavations take up most of the day, and not vice versa.
We were unable to identify any more advantages of this profession. Perhaps it was precisely the small number of advantages that was the reason for the constantly declining demand for this specialty among applicants.
Disadvantages of being an archaeologist
In contrast to the advantages, disadvantages archaeologist profession, as they say, more than enough. Therefore, we will list only the most obvious and significant ones.
- Firstly, archeology is not so much exciting trips and great discoveries, but very hard and routine work. Let us emphasize that it is physically difficult work, which sometimes even strong men cannot cope with on their own.
- Secondly, low earnings (and sometimes their complete absence) due to insignificant funding for excavations and research of artifacts.
- Thirdly, long years spent in “Spartan” conditions - sometimes archaeologists have to sleep almost on bare ground and eat the gifts of nature.
- Fourthly, there is a high probability that the “great discovery” will be made by someone else, but not by you (that is, you may feel that your life has been lived in vain).
- Fifthly, long archaeological expeditions that interfere with building a normal personal life.
Where can you get a profession as an archaeologist?
The profession of an archaeologist requires a higher academic education. Moreover, we immediately note that study to be an archaeologist(as well as working in your specialty) is not very easy. The main emphasis in the learning process is on the study of history, as well as on the technologies of excavation and working with found artifacts. Since there are practically no special archaeological universities in Russia (except for the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Moscow Archaeological Institute), in order to obtain the profession of an archaeologist, you must choose a university with a history department, which has an archeology department. We recommend giving preference to universities such as:
It is rare to find a profession more bleak than that of a field archaeologist working in the desert, among wild rocks, completely remote from any civilization, in difficult climatic conditions that can deprive a person of all courage... And they do not make sensations out of all this - these archaeologists . They continue to work as if their working conditions are something taken for granted. For for them in the whole world there is no more interesting profession than the one they have chosen. They live among dangers, face to face with a secret that has not yet been revealed. Not today or tomorrow it may be revealed, and then the world press will name their names. (Quote from German historian E. Ceren.)
Without a sufficient amount of fanaticism, adventurism and love of history, people do not come to archeology.
A craving for ancient times, countries, civilizations, an interest in long-gone and mysterious times - this is what drives those who like to “dig in the sand.”
As archaeologists themselves assure, once you find at least a few shards of dishes preserved, say, from the Middle Ages, the thirst to touch history will never leave you.
What does an archaeologist actually do?
An archaeological scientist can, for example, study the remains of sunken ships at the bottom of the sea (marine archaeology), dig up and examine everything that remains from human settlements of past centuries (field archaeology), or, using special materials and techniques, try to reconstruct things from past times, recreating them literally bit by bit (experimental archaeology).
Personal qualities
Since the work of an archaeologist involves frequent excavations in various climatic conditions, good physical training and endurance are required, as well as the absence of allergic reactions to various organic materials.
Because of d 
During long archaeological expeditions, a person in this profession must also be emotionally prepared, calm and balanced, because the work can be either individual or in a team.
In most cases, “antiquities hunters” wield a shovel, scoop, spoon, and even a regular toothbrush. Well, you can’t do without the notorious brushes for cleaning found valuables.
Education (What do you need to know?)
Knowing how to use a shovel correctly and having the proper enthusiasm, coupled with some money in your own pocket, getting into excavations is not very difficult.
But in order to become a real specialist in your industry, you need to be able to do a number of things.
In addition to profound knowledge in the field of history, a professional archaeologist must have drawing and sketching skills, be able to take photographs, and be sure to master the basics of restoration and conservation of various objects made of stone, clay, metal, wood, leather, fabric, bone, and so on.
Without special knowledge in ethnography, anthropology, topography, geodesy, geology, without a solid grasp of information on auxiliary historical disciplines, such as heraldry, sphragistics, numismatics, textual criticism, an archaeologist cannot become a specialist.
Place of work and career
The main activity of an archaeologist is conducting excavations in order to search for ancient monuments and other historically significant objects.
Archaeologists also find employment in museums, where they ensure the safety of objects found during excavations, introduce visitors to finds and the results of their research, organize exhibitions and prepare excursions.
Or maybe you will go down in history as Heinrich Schliemann, famous for his finds in Asia Minor on the site of ancient (Homeric) Troy, or as Howard Carter, who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Related professions:
Where to study?
| Universities by specialty | Speciality | Forms training |
Cost per year (rubles) |
Passage point (2018) |
Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities |
Full-time (4 years) |
free (17 seats) |
||
01/06/2016
What is a modern Russian archaeologist, where does he dig, what does he find and how does he make money? Olga Shcheglova, senior researcher at the Department of Slavic-Finnish Archeology of the Institute of the History of Material Culture (IHMC) RAS, associate professor of the Department of Archeology at St. Petersburg State University, and Sergei Beletsky, leading researcher at the Department of Slavic-Finnish Archeology at IHMC RAS, helped City 812 find answers to these complex questions. , Doctor of Historical Sciences, who periodically argued with each other.
1. What is archaeology?
Archeology, experts carefully formulate, is a special discipline that studies the past, relying on material antiquities, the remains of human activity. Any person can stumble upon an archaeological site like the burial of Tutankhamun and even excavate it, but this will not be either research or science. It takes special knowledge and effort to understand what we are dealing with.
Since the middle of the 19th century, it was believed that the object of archeology can be everything created in the pre-Petrine era, and not later. This issue was the subject of special discussion at the St. Petersburg Archaeological Society. By voting, it was then decided to consider the year 1700 to be the end of ancient Russian archeology.
Many modern archaeologists even now recognize this particular date as the upper limit of archaeological knowledge, forgetting that the year 1700 was only a century and a half away from the vote. And the middle of the 19th century is a century and a half away from today.
“Now the beginning of the reign of Alexander II should be recognized as the upper limit of archeology,” says Sergei Beletsky. “Although, in my opinion, the interests of archeology should be extended to the antiquities of the 20th century.”
Olga Shcheglova does not agree with this: archeology begins where we cease to understand the past. For example, the study of burials of the Second World War is not the subject of archeology, because the identification of the dead and reburial with honors do not pose any scientific problems.
“In one excavation in Pskov, we examined the remains of a 17th-century building, in which, according to the stories of old people, in the first post-war years, people arrested by NKVD workers were kept,” Beletsky, in turn, disagrees. - And in layers dating back to the late 1940s, numerous pieces of barbed wire were found. Here is archaeological confirmation of undocumented stories about the existence of a Gulag island in the city center. Why am I saying this? I am convinced that it is necessary to study archaeologically not only antiquities, but also monuments of modern and contemporary history.”
2. Are archaeological sensations possible in Russia?
Certainly. Here is the most recent example. Doctor of Sciences Oleg Sharov in January-February 2016 found a settlement on Taman with a fairly complex and deep drainage system of the 8th-7th centuries BC. e. This is a real scientific discovery, because the settlement belonged to the archaeological culture that preceded Greek colonization in those parts. Previously, it was believed that the first colonists occupied empty lands in the area of modern Kuban.
3. At whose expense do scientific archaeologists conduct excavations?
In recent decades, IHMC RAS has not had the opportunity to build an independent policy in field research, unlike, for example, the Hermitage. Nevertheless, small research expeditions exist with the help of grants from scientific foundations, donations, and targeted programs of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Grants are usually received by initiative projects of specific scientists.
“But this is not a lot of money,” Olga Shcheglova clarifies. - In addition, there are a number of stupid and humiliating restrictions on their use related to the fact that the institute is a budgetary organization. Today you can hire a colleague from a neighboring department to work on an expedition, tomorrow you cannot, yesterday you could purchase equipment or enter into an agreement to conduct geophysical research, but today you cannot, and so on. Many colleagues participate in the commercial work of the conservation archeology department in order to earn money for their own field research: to purchase a small but strong expedition vehicle, to buy tents. We are not the only ones doing this: the famous Gnezdovo archaeological expedition of Moscow State University is now conducting online crowdfunding - collecting funds for the purchase of a used device for modern topographic survey. I am quietly glad that St. Petersburg State University managed to purchase this equipment, but I am saving money for its verification and repair.”
4. What is commercial archaeology?
“Let’s be honest,” says Sergei Beletsky, “a coherent system for obtaining new knowledge is an ideal version of scientific archeology. No one here can afford such a program now. Now any search work is related to economic activity. A gas pipeline or highway is being laid, a house with an underground garage is being designed, and a reservoir is planned to be created. And all this work must be preceded by archaeological research in order to identify monuments that are in danger of destruction in the space allocated for economic development. And dig them up."
In post-Soviet Russia, many independent laboratories emerged in the 1990s and early 2000s, and it seemed that they could compete with each other, like, for example, architectural workshops. They were staffed mainly by professional archaeologists, and not very large orders came from monument protection authorities to survey ancient settlements and burial grounds and compile archaeological maps. Many of the laboratories that emerged then continue to exist to this day, having turned into autonomous non-profit organizations and non-profit organizations. Those who stayed afloat learned to participate in competitions and tenders.
On the other hand, security excavation departments developed and emerged in academic institutions during the oil years. Now these are large production structures capable of organizing a network of expeditions throughout the country. At the same time, the occupation of conservation archeology began to bring obvious profits, and then, next to scientific ones, commercial firms and small firms appeared, focused exclusively on obtaining this profit. People settled in them, often without professional education, who once worked on excavations as laboratory assistants at best, but there were many orders, few professionals...
Sometimes the matter ended in a big scandal, says Olga Shcheglova. About a year ago, there were many reports in the press about the decision of the Pushkin District Court against the commercial firm NPF Gamas, which carried out numerous orders for archaeological research before construction work. The company was fined 66 million rubles. for the fact that in 2011, without carrying out any work, she gave the go-ahead for the destruction of the Yaskelevo kurgan group in the Gatchina region, and submitted a false report. Despite the fact that in this egregious case, “Gamas” was caught red-handed, the case went on for 4 years, and I don’t know whether the verdict came into force.
“In today’s crisis, there is a very real danger that cheap but unprofessional services of “clearing the territory of archaeological objects in the shortest possible time” will be in demand,” says Sergei Beletsky.
5. Where do they study to become archaeologists?
The main centers with separate departments of archeology are at Moscow State University and St. Petersburg State University, very strong developing schools at Novosibirsk University and Kazan University, schools with traditions exist in Voronezh, Izhevsk, Perm and further to the east: Kemerovo, Tyumen, Tomsk, etc. In the 80s and 90s, archaeological laboratories and museums appeared in many universities, but only large universities have special programs.
Currently, St. Petersburg State University is recruiting six budget students for undergraduate studies. “It’s good if we get them all to graduate,” says Olga Shcheglova.
“At school I was a C student. But professionally oriented: I went on expeditions with my father from the age of 8,” says Doctor of Sciences Beletsky about his path to archeology.
Now Doctor Beletsky might not get into the university. When applying for admission, only the Unified State Examination is taken into account, and not the motivation of the applicant.
“We have no choice: we must take yesterday’s schoolchildren who received a high passing Unified State Exam score into the bachelor’s program. We don’t meet with them at entrance exams (they don’t exist now), we don’t conduct interviews, we can’t influence their enrollment,” says Olga Shcheglova. - On the one hand, this is democratic and fair in relation to talented children from the provinces. But there is another side: the test leveling significantly complicates the path to education for professionally oriented children who studied in archaeological clubs and have already participated in excavations. They often do worse on the Unified State Exam and drop out.”
It is especially bad, Shcheglova believes, that the same system of general requirements has moved to the next stage of professional education, to the master's degree: the archaeological direction in Russia traditionally develops within the framework of historical education. So even if you have taken courses in Quaternary geology, anthropology, Stone Age archeology and much more, you will still have to submit an anonymous essay on the history of, say, the Second World War... And it may be weaker than that of a modern historian, and no one will take the acquired special knowledge into account yet.
The Bologna system applied in Russia also raises criticism.
“The meaning of the Bologna system,” says Beletsky, “is a reduction in the volume of lectures and a significant increase in the volume of individual lessons between the teacher and the student: the teacher gives the task, the student completes it, the teacher checks and then discusses the quality of the work with the student. Unfortunately, our Ministry of Education borrowed from the Bologna system only the idea of reducing the lecture load, but did not provide for an increase in the number of hours for individual work between a teacher and a student. The result was not a Bologna system, but a blockhead system. Given the current initially weak preparation of applicants, when they have to spend time repeating the school curriculum, reducing the volume of lectures is a blow to the professional training of students.”
“In its current form, the bachelor’s degree has broken the backbone of teaching archeology,” says Shcheglova. - For four years, students study mainly as historians and do not receive a real amount of knowledge in archeology “from hand to hand.” In the master's program, on the same bench are bachelors in economics, who suddenly realized their calling, and bachelors in history, who initially trained themselves to be archaeologists. Their level of specialized knowledge turns out to be very different.”
But the worst thing, according to experts, is that evening archaeological education has been eliminated almost everywhere. This is bad, because archeology is in many ways a craft, the problem here is the same as with engineering training: you can know a lot, but be able to do nothing. “There was a time when our archaeological research institutes were almost entirely recruited from people who worked as laboratory assistants and at the same time received evening education. Then the possibility of making a mistake in choosing a profession was practically eliminated,” says Olga Shcheglova.
6. Where will graduates work?
Approximately 70 out of 100 people graduated in recent years have found work in their specialty; at least, they have not broken with archeology, says Shcheglova. The main “consumer” of St. Petersburg State University graduates, oddly enough, is the Hermitage; more archaeologists have come to various departments there than to the specialized academic IHMC. In addition to these two places, graduates get jobs in museums, libraries, state monument protection bodies and go on to teach.
7. How much time does an archaeologist spend in an excavation?
Practicing archaeologists are different. If a specialist is involved in rescue excavations (i.e. at the site of future construction projects), then he usually spends more than two months a year in the field in any season. This is preceded by a period of preparation - scientific justification for exploration or excavation, preparation for departure. After the excavations, there are several stages of field reporting, office processing, restoration and all kinds of research of the material.
We must give credit, our interlocutors say, to the few archaeologists who can cope with all this, and who still have enough will and strength to conduct their own scientific research. But there are few of them, although they are scientists of different generations.
The majority of colleagues who constantly carry out security work become industrial archaeologists. They master the methods of excavation and recording, acquire an outlook that allows them to work with monuments of different cultures and eras, but they do not set themselves research tasks.
“Another part of the employees, mainly the older generation (and these are the majority in academic institutions), is moving away from field work completely or reducing it to a minimum,” says Beletsky. “The main task of these researchers is to process and introduce into scientific use materials from excavations of past years, complete long-standing projects, and examine old materials from a new angle.”
8. How do Western archaeologists differ from ours?
“We are terribly worried if one of our six bachelors does not go or pass the master’s program,” says Olga Shcheglova. - And in Europe, large universities train hundreds of bachelors in archaeology, of which only a few, rarely a dozen, get into master’s programs. That is, at the very first stage there is a tough selection. But this will not provide them with work in the future. They compete for grants. And almost everyone changes their specialization, focusing on what is in demand.
Our colleague from Germany, Jens Schneeweis, works with us in the IHMC department; he received a grant from the Humboldt Foundation. I spent a long time studying the archeology of Siberia, traveling to the field and writing articles. Then he studied early Slavic monuments on the Elbe and worked in Belarus. But having received a grant, he took up the Russian North-West, and now he will work with us for two years. This is a normal specialist career.”
9. What about the income of archaeologists?
Income is bad. Either they are decent, but unstable, or constant, but meager. The graduate will have problems. We all work in several places. But in most cases, archaeologists work for interest, not for money.
Mikhail Artamonov, the famous archaeologist, director of the Hermitage, once said: “Archaeology is a profession for idiots and enthusiasts, because if you are not an enthusiast, then you are an idiot.” .
You will need
- - medical card;
- - certificates of Unified State Examination results in subjects required for admission to the Faculty of History;
- - a computer with Internet access.
Instructions
Make sure that you do not have any medical conditions that could hinder your desire to become an archaeologist. An archaeologist must have a healthy heart, he must not suffer from hypertension, seizures, hearing or speech disorders. Obstacles include diabetes mellitus, hemorrhoids, some skin diseases, severely decreased vision with the impossibility of correction, diseases of the digestive system and excretory system, as well as infectious diseases that have become chronic. An archaeologist should not suffer from drug or alcohol addiction. Get examined and consult with your local doctor.
Archeology is a specialization that is obtained in senior years of history departments. There is also a specialized university that has branches in different cities of Russia - the Moscow Archaeological Institute. You can begin preparing for future scientific activity in college (in particular, a pedagogical college with a social orientation). You need specialty 050401 – History. But in the future you will still have to enroll in a higher education institution.
If you want to go to college immediately after school, carefully study not only history and the subjects required to obtain a certificate, but also disciplines such as physics, chemistry and geography. All these sciences will be useful to you in your work. The ability to draw and work with a camera will also be very useful. You can find out for which academic disciplines you will need certificates on the website of the higher education institution after February 1, but in any case you will need a certificate.
Type the following specialties in the search engine: 030400, 030401, 050401 - History or 030402 - Historical and archival studies. Look at which universities you can get these specialties with the qualification “history”, “master of history” or “history teacher”. Choose one that has an archeology department. After specializing in this department, you can obtain qualification 72251 – Archeology.
note
If for some reason you were unable to enroll in a specialized educational institution, you can still take up archeology. In particular, the military one. To do this, just sign up for a search team, which is available in any large city, as well as in many villages. Search engines are primarily engaged in searching for the remains of military personnel who died during the Great Patriotic War. This is a fascinating and useful hobby. However, for many former military men it becomes a real profession. If you wish, you can create your own search party by registering it with the Search Squad Foundation. Remember that this hobby requires discipline, accuracy, good knowledge of the history of the places where excavations are being carried out, and some special skills.
