by Ray Burke

Created on: April 20, 2009

Basics of Archaeology:

Archaeology is the study of Man's past through his physical and artifactual remains. Archaeology is one of those subjects that fascinate people. Why, they think, would someone spend their days and lives, usually in a field, digging for past civilisations' rubbish? Well, for one, because they love it the thrill of discovering, learning about past lives and societies, and maybe having the chance to travel or to be in the outdoors. As with many jobs, archaeology has its politics, camaraderie, hard graft, analysis, interpretation, and then lots of beer in the end. Being an archaeologist is not just a job, it's a way of life.

We have only discovered a fraction of a percent of what came before us. Archaeology is not just about pyramids, what the Romans did, or Greek statues, it is a global endeavour with every corner of the world involved with its diverse and hidden gems waiting to be uncovered. Entering archaeology does not necessarily mean a past studying history or archaeology, on the contrary, many institutions would rather have a student from a different background in order to bring different perspectives to archaeology. Such courses are open to all no matter age, ethnic background, gender, or experience. All that matters is the determination to learn and work as an archaeologist. Here, below, is a general outline of an archaeology student's journey.

First Year:

In Britain, Archaeology is a subject all of its own, while in the U.S. it comes under the auspices of Anthropology. While it is treated and taught differently, the outcome is the same. A typical course for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or science (BSc) in Britain begins in the first year with a general introduction to archaeology. Subjects could include an introduction to anthropology, classical studies, Egyptology, Roman studies, and learning field methods and techniques. Along with essays and exams, the first year is replete with field trips to learn stratigraphy, excavation, field walking, and experimental archaeology.

Second Year:

The second year becomes more specialised and students can branch out in subjects that interest them. Core courses could include archaeological theory, current issues in archaeology, surveying, geoarchaeology, ceramics, osteology, archaeozoology, research and presentation skills, public archaeology, and heritage studies. More field work is also required and can range as far a field as Thailand or Peru.

Third Year:

This is when the student concentrates on his/her

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