An archaeologist is a historian who studies the life and culture of ancient people using various artifacts.
From Greek. archaios - ancient and logos - teaching. The profession is suitable for those who are interested in history, world art culture, foreign languages and social studies (see the choice of profession for interest in school subjects).
Archaeologist is a historian who studies the life and culture of ancient people using various artifacts.
Archeology is an applied part of history, along with source study.
Features of the profession
Artifact in archeology (from lat. artefactum- artificially made) is an object created or processed by a person.
Artifacts are also called material sources. These include buildings, tools, home stuff, jewelry, weapons, coals of an ancient fire, bones with traces of human impact, and other evidence of human activity.
If the artifacts have writing, they are called written sources.
Material sources (unlike written ones) are silent. They contain no mention of historical events, and many were created long before the advent of writing. The task of an archaeologist is to create a picture of the past based on the found fragments, relying on existing knowledge and findings, taking into account the location of the finds. By itself, a fragment of a jug or a knife handle says little. They cannot be considered out of context, i.e. in isolation of the place, situation, depth of occurrence, objects found in the neighborhood, etc.
The archaeologist looks for evidence of the past, and then examines it in the laboratory, classifies it, restores it if necessary, and so on.
Archeology uses data and techniques from other disciplines:
humanitarian (ethnography, anthropology, linguistics) and natural (physics, chemistry, botany, geography, soil science).
For example, in order to establish the time of creation or use of an object, they take into account which layer it lay in (each soil layer corresponds to a certain time period), use stratigraphic, comparative typological, radiocarbon, dendrochronological, and other methods.
The archaeologist has no right to fantasies. All his conclusions must be described on clear evidence.
Archaeologists usually specialize in certain regions and historical periods. For example, a scientist may become an expert on the Paleolithic in Central Asia if he studies the sites of Stone Age people located there year after year.
By search methods archeology can be divided into types:
Field - search for artifacts with the help of excavations on land;
Underwater - search under water;
experimental- reconstruction of objects of the past (tools, weapons, etc.).
During field excavations, an archaeologist uses a pickaxe and a shovel, a magnifying glass and a brush, a knife and a douche. As well as ground penetrating radar, theodolite - when planning excavations, a camera - for documenting their findings, and other technical capabilities.
To work underwater, you also need to be able to scuba dive and use underwater excavation equipment.
Even during the expedition, the archaeologist needs to describe each discovered object in as much detail as possible - this is important for further analysis. For the same purposes, you need to be able to sketch the find, take a picture. And in some cases, right in the field, scientists carry out the primary restoration (conservation) of the artifact, because sunlight And Fresh air can destroy an ornament that has lain in the ground for a thousand years. If it is not strengthened in time, it will crumble before reaching the laboratory.
In experimental archeology, the reconstruction of an object takes place using materials and technologies typical of the era under study. During the experiment, scientists are trying to repeat the way of life of people of antiquity. They master crafts and restore forgotten technologies. Recreating an unknown technology, an archaeologist relies on excavation data, builds hypotheses, and conducts experiments. Here you can not do without engineering skills.
By invitation only
The work of an archaeologist is not only intense intellectual work. It requires physical strength and asceticism. Male archaeologists are often bearded, because on expeditions - in heat and dust, far from civilization - shaving is not recommended.
But for a real archaeologist archaeological finds- the source is very strong emotions.
Archaeologist Natalya Viktorovna Polosmak speaks of his first archaeological experience:
“When I picked up my first small finds /…/ I saw that very close, literally under our feet, the mysterious world of the past exists and lives according to its own laws. And if the era of the great geographical discoveries already behind, then great historical discoveries are still waiting for us, because the Earth has preserved everything that man has left on it from century to century.
(N.V. Polosmak - Doctor of Historical Sciences, specialist in the field of archeology and ancient history Siberia. Participated in archaeological expeditions as a schoolgirl.)
According to the archaeologist Sergei Vasilyevich Beletsky, the finds are often perceived as alive: “That is, when you realize that this thing was kept before you for 100, 300, 500, 700 years, yes, this is serious.”
(S.V. Beletsky - Doctor of Historical Sciences. Main circle scientific interests- archeology of Pskov.)
Workplace
An archaeologist can work in research institutes (for example, at the Institute of Archeology Russian Academy Sciences), as well as teaching at universities. His academic career, like that of other scientists, is expressed primarily in scientific discoveries, written works and academic titles.
Important qualities
In addition to interest in the events of the past, the archaeologist needs analytical, deductive abilities. To get a unified picture, one has to compare a lot of disparate data provided by excavations, laboratory studies, and the works of colleagues.
It does not matter where the excavations take place - under water or on land. In any case, it requires good physical endurance, sharp eyesight.
Knowledge and skills
Historical knowledge is necessary, especially knowledge of the period under study, knowledge in related fields: scientific restoration, paleosolology, paleogeography, etc.
Often you have to study disciplines that are not directly related to archeology: anthropology, ethnography, heraldry, numismatics, textual criticism, heraldry, physics, chemistry, statistics.
In addition, it is necessary to have the skills of a surveyor, topographer.
And when working in the mountains or under water - the skills of a climber or diver. For this you have to undergo special training.
Profession
Archaeologist
An archaeologist is a scientist who studies the past of mankind from material sources. Archeology (from archeo (archáios) - ancient and from Greek lygos - word, doctrine) is a science that studies the historical past of mankind from material sources.
History of the profession
In other Rome, the result of a conscious study of antiquities is a development scheme material culture, which gave great poet and thinker Lucretius. In the 1st century BC e. he already knew, ahead of many archaeologists of the 19th century, that the Stone Age was replaced by the Bronze Age, and the Bronze Age by the Iron Age. Word "archeology" first used by Plato in the meaning of "the history of past times." After Plato the term<<археология>> uses the famous ancient historian Dionysius of Helicarnassus in the title of one of his essays. In the preface to it, Dionysius defines the tasks and subject matter of Archeology as follows:<<Я начинаю мою историю древнейшими сказаниями, которые мои предшественники пропускали, потому что им было очень трудно их отыскивать. Я веду свой рассказ до начала первой Пунической войны, которая случилась в третий год 128 олимпиады. Я рассказываю, равным образом, о всех войнах и междоусобицах, которые вел римский народ. Я сообщаю также о всех формах государственного устройства и управления, которые государство имело при царях и по уничтожении монархии. Я привожу большое собрание нравов и обычаев и знаменитейшие законы и предостовляю в кратком обозрении всю старую государственную жизнь>>. The work of Dionysius served as a model for Josephus Flavius, who wrote a history of the Jews under the title -. Both compositions are no different from ordinary historical narratives of that time and do not contain any archaeological material. Babylonian king Nabonidus in the 6th c. BC e. carried out excavations in the interests of historical knowledge; he especially looked for inscriptions of ancient kings in the foundations of buildings, carefully noting the finds or the futility of the search. During the Renaissance in the 15-16 centuries. Numerous excavations were carried out in Italy, the sole purpose of which was to extract ancient sculptures. In the 18th century With the development of noble collecting, antiquarians in a number of countries began to collect individual archaeological finds. Soon, the first excavations for scientific purposes were made in some countries. After the Great french revolution(late 18th century), with the development historical science, archeology began to develop rapidly. When in the 19th century the attention of science was attracted by all the remnants of antiquity (not only artistic), gradually began to take shape modern understanding archeology. Modern archaeologists can borrow only the title from their ancient predecessors. The Romans had a new word for ancient history<
Principles of archeology
Fundamental to all archeology is the assertion that archaeological sources - material objects created by ancient people or somehow connected with them - can tell us something about these people. Indeed, archaeological research would not be possible if the main sources of information were of no value. Despite the fact that all archaeologists recognize the possibility of extracting information about past eras from archaeological materials, they assess the amount of information contained in them in different ways.
Optimists believe that a single artifact can be of great value; Thus, a golden crucifix found in a grave can tell about the religious ideas of the deceased (that he was a Christian), about his socio-economic status (high enough to enable him to purchase such an expensive item), about the approximate date of burial (if the crucifix has a specific form) and - potentially - about many other characteristics of a person and the society to which this person belonged. Pessimists, on the contrary, believe that the existence of many circumstances unknown to us simply does not allow us to draw such broad conclusions. The cross, they argue, could be perceived as just an ornament with no religious significance, it could be found on the road and in this case it has nothing to do with the wealth of the deceased, etc.
Human activity has often been concentrated in certain places, and where it was most active, numerous material traces of this activity often remain. These places are conventionally referred to as archaeological sites. This concept includes objects of different scales – from a place where a hunter sharpened a separate tool and threw a few flint chips, to a settlement where 200 people lived for a century, leaving thousands of artifacts behind them, or to a city with many tons of cultural deposits.
Any monument that functioned for some time contains remains of different times, and the finds of each period constitute an independent component in the mass of materials found on it. Multi-component (multi-layer) sites show changes over time, but finds belonging to different layers may be mixed, which makes it difficult to determine their chronology. One-layer monuments are not so difficult to understand, since they give a picture of only one period. Both types of monuments can be equally valuable from an archaeological point of view...
The explanation of archaeological data based on their comparison with phenomena from the life of some modern people is called an ethnographic analogy. If ethnographic information is used in this case about a people who are culturally the successor of those who own the archaeological material under study, this is called a direct historical analogy; otherwise, one speaks of general ethnographic analogies. Many archaeologists believe that direct historical analogies are more reliable because cultural successors may have inherited the traditions of their predecessors.
Experimental archeology and ethnoarchaeology rely directly on analogies, and an archaeologist working in one of these areas must try to explain why the data of a certain experiment or information about a particular type of human activity are comparable with the archaeological materials that are the direct object of his research. The more serious such an explanation, the more reliable its conclusions.
The archaeologist seeks to cover a wide range of problems related to the existence of ancient people, their culture and way of life. Such problems include the study of the natural environment surrounding a person, ways of using and changing it, means of subsistence (what people ate and how they got food), technology (methods of making and using tools and devices), exchange (mechanisms for the transfer of property from one person or team to another), art, ideology (including religion), social organization (what were the kinship system and other social structures), demography (population size and composition)
Outstanding people in this profession
Kemal Akishev: founder of Kazakh archeology. Talent combined with the necessary set of professional data of an archaeologist, education and responsibility is not often found, especially in harmonious unity. Kemal Akishevich Akishev, in addition to possessing the general professional qualities of an archaeologist, was also valued for his unique, only inherent features. He received professional training from famous orientalists N.A. Bernshtam, A.Kh. Margulan, M.P. Gryaznov.
Kemal Akishevich Akishev was born in 1924 in the winter hut of Keregetas, Bayan-Aul district, Pavlodar region. He spent his childhood in a large family, besides him there were two older and two younger sisters, as well as two brothers. The family went through a difficult time in the 30s, moving to Karaganda, Omsk region, hoping for the best, the loss of loved ones. Archaeological ministry began for him as a student in 1947, when for the first time after his second year he went to the Central Kazakhstan archaeological expedition of A.Kh. Margulan. In his student and postgraduate years, he worked as the head of the excavation, detachment, took part in the excavations of the world-famous archaeological sites of Begazy, Aksu-Ayuly, Bylkyldak, Atasu. Scientific archive of K.A. Akishev includes over 200 scientific papers. These are monographs, manuals, brochures and scientific articles. Many of them have been translated into foreign languages. In his works, such problems as the periodization of history and culture, socio-economic relations in the era of the bronchi (II millennium BC) were scientifically developed; the origin of agriculture and nomadic pastoralism (I millennium BC); social and political status of nomads; the emergence and development of early class societies and the state (5th century BC - 5th century AD); art and mythology of the Sakas (V-VI centuries BC); medieval urban civilization.
Boris Ilyich Marshak - art historian, archaeologist, orientalist Born in Luga, Leningrad region, spent his childhood in Leningrad, without which he could not live. He returned to his city in 1957. As a child in the evacuation, he became interested in the antiquities of Central Asia. Entered to study at the Department of Archeology of the History Faculty of Moscow State University, graduated in 1956. In 1954, for the first time, he went to the excavations of the settlement of Ancient Penjiket (Tajikistan), and since then he missed only one season - 1956, when military training was to take place at Moscow State University. After graduating from Moscow State University, he worked at the Institute of History, Archeology and Enthography of the Academy of Sciences of the Tajik SSR. All his scientific life was mainly connected with Tajikistan. Since 1978, head of the Penjikent archaeological expedition (replaced Alexander Markovich Belenitsky in this post). From 1958 he worked continuously in the Department of the East of the State Hermitage, from 1978 - the head of the sector for Central Asia and the Caucasus. Candidate of Historical Sciences (1965), Doctor (1982); honorary member of the American Archaeological Institute (http://www/archaeological.org/), Royal Asian Society of the United Kingdom (http://www.royalasiaticsociety.org/), corresponding member of the Italian Institute for African and Oriental (http://www .isiao.it/), foreign member of the French Academy of Inscriptions and Belle Lettering (http://www.aidl.fr).
Marshak's main area of scientific interest is the archeology of Sogdiana and oriental silver, but he made important contributions in such diverse disciplines as political history of the East, the history of religions, metrology, the publication and interpretation of Eastern texts, the methodology of archaeological research, and others. In the last years of his life he was engaged in the art and history of Tibet. He investigated the theme "Sogdians in a foreign land" on the basis of the finds of the so-called Sogdian burial monuments in China.
In his book<<Согдийское серебро>> (M., 1971) Marshak based on the analysis of the formal, iconographic and other features of a number of silver vessels found, first of all, on the Kama and in the North - Western Siberia came to the conclusion about the existence of a special, previously unknown center for the production of silver utensils, which he reliably identified with Sogdiana.
As a participant, and since 1978 also the head of the Penjikent archaeological expedition State Hermitage, Boris Ilyich continued and developed excavations of the reference monument of Sogdian archeology. The excavated area (according to the upper period, VIII century AD) currently exceeds half the area of the settlement, the chronology of ceramics gives an accuracy of up to a quarter of a century, the famous wall paintings were found in most private houses. Since 1996, the Penjikent Expedition has been publishing annual reports in the form of monographs.
The specifics and features of the profession
The essence of archeology is its humanism. It helps to see ourselves in the mirror of the past with our worries, joy and grief, and with some special acuteness to realize our place in this world, to realize our responsibility for the present and future. Any profession requires great professionalism. This is especially important for an archaeologist. One of the main components of his work is excavations during the expedition. Any profession requires knowledge, wide erudition. It is important for an archaeologist not only to master the subject of his research well, but also to acquire knowledge in the field of enthography, anthropology, history, etc. - this is required by his field and laboratory work. The study of primitive archeology is impossible without Quaternary geology and geomorphology, paleobotany and paleogeography, paleontology and other sciences that will help reconstruct landscapes, the ecological situation in a given period. Archaeologists widely use physics, chemistry, statistics, and cybernetics to increase the information content of archaeological material. One after another, books with titles like these are coming out!<<Физика и археология>>, <<Геофизика в археологии>>, <<Химия в археологии>>, <<Археология и естественные науки>>. All this testifies to the close connection of archeology with other sciences, to the impossibility of conducting research at the present time without drawing on data from other sciences, without using the achievements and capabilities of colleagues in various fields of scientific knowledge. For archaeologists, the meaning of life lies in the constant search for monuments of the past, and after discoveries - in a deep study and understanding of the facts. History and archeology are captivating with their romance, colorful plots, and the secrets of the unknown. Archeology is somehow akin to hunting. And a real hunter is not the one who thinks only about the killed game, but the one for whom the main thing is the search, new places, the expectation of good luck; and in the evening at the fire, he will not boast of hunting trophies, but will tell about the charms of an autumn or spring morning, about awakening nature, about the beauties of the earth.
Prominent representatives of this profession:
G. Fiorelli (participant in the Italian national liberation movement), Czech archaeologist L. Niederle, English scientist G. Child, Peter I, historian V. N. Tatishchev, General P. Melgunov, P. I. Sumarokov, I. Stempkovsky, I. E. Zabelin.
Become an archaeologist:
St. Petersburg State University, Moscow State Pedagogical University, at the Faculty of History of Moscow State University.
For archaeologists, there is no more interesting profession than their chosen one. No wonder, because hard work in the desert, in the middle of steep cliffs, far from civilization is entirely rewarded with amazing finds that become real sensation and allow you to immerse yourself in the distant history of mankind.
Who are archaeologists? And what are they doing?
Who is an archaeologist?
An archaeologist is a scientist who studies human history by material sources. These include tools, utensils, jewelry, art, remains of buildings and other items once created by man.
The work of an archaeologist is associated with constant excavations, campaigns, expeditions, research, helping to make great discoveries and bit by bit recreate all stages of people's lives from the moment of the birth of mankind.
What does the word "archaeology" mean?
The work of archaeologists is based on the ancient science of archeology, closely related to many other disciplines - history, anthropology, paleography, genealogy.
Term "archeology" is a combination of two ancient Greek words - ἀρχαῖος
(ancient) and λόγος
(teaching). The first scientist who began to systematically study this science is considered to be Herodotus. 
His works "History", which tells about the Greek-Persian wars and the customs of many peoples, is the earliest full-scale historical treatise and plays important role understanding of ancient culture.
What does an archaeologist do?
Archaeologists study the culture of disappeared civilizations, excavate ancient cities, restore history from the layers of the earth and the remains. Unlike written evidence, material sources do not directly tell about the past, so archaeologists have to conduct laboratory analyzes and engage in scientific reconstruction of events.
Archaeologists often work in museums, where they are responsible for the preservation of finds and acquaint people with the results of their work. Often, in order to recreate a picture of the past and reveal the secrets of history, they have to work on some archaeological site for many years, sometimes in difficult weather conditions, so the main qualities of archaeologists are patience, endurance and excellent physical training.
Archeology is a fairly broad concept that includes many narrower disciplines. Most archaeologists specialize in some of its individual areas, which allows them to improve their knowledge and penetrate more deeply into individual stages of history.
Thus, a specialist in the field of historical archeology studies the past on the basis of written sources, an Egyptologist studies Ancient Egypt, and an archaeoastronomer studies the astronomical ideas of people in antiquity.
What knowledge do archaeologists need?
In order to conduct a comprehensive study of the finds, an archaeologist must have knowledge in many sciences, including exact sciences. Geology, ethnography, topography, textual criticism, geodesy - this is only a part of what a specialist needs to know in order to successfully study history.
Many people think that archaeologists are engaged only in excavations, but in fact the scope of their activities includes many other works. In particular, in order to understand exactly where to dig, they have to work with written sources, spend hours studying ancient books, geographic Maps. Sometimes, to discover ancient objects, archaeologists are engaged in aerial photography or geological exploration.
What significant discoveries have been made by archaeologists?
During the existence of archeology, specialists in this field have made many amazing discoveries. In 1824, it was archaeologists who managed to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs, and in 1748 to unearth ancient city Pompeii, destroyed during the eruption of Vesuvius. 
In 1871, the Homeric city of Troy was discovered by archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, and in 1900, thanks to Arthur Evans, mankind learned about the Minoan civilization. In addition, archaeologists own such great discoveries as the Inca city of Machu Picchu, the tomb of Tutankhamen, the temple complex of Angkor Wat, the Qumran scrolls.
The documented chronicles that have survived to our time are not enough to get a clear idea of the events, life, and culture of the past. An archaeologist is a historian who is called upon to fill existing gaps through excavation. To work in this area, it is recommended to have good health, extensive knowledge in a number of compulsory disciplines, and specific personal qualities. In practice, archeology is not as simple and romantic as it seems to many. But it is necessary, useful, interesting profession, which allows you to get a lot of important information about the past of mankind.
People who have chosen the profession of an archaeologist are engaged in the search, study, restoration and documentation of artifacts. This is the collective name for material sources of historical knowledge created or processed by man. This impressive list includes household items, buildings, weapons, tools, money and even bones. IN separate group refer written sources- products with inscriptions on the surface.
Types of archeology, their features:
- field - excavation of the remains of human settlements and the study of traces of their stay on land;
- underwater - the study of the remains of ships, cities that have gone under water, the rise of sunken artifacts;
- experimental - restoration of destroyed or very old things important for history by reconstructing using innovative techniques.
It is rare to find a general archaeologist. Usually, representatives of the profession have a narrow specialization with an emphasis on a specific time period, region, historical period or even a certain country, nationality.
What personal qualities should an archaeologist have?
Effective work with artifacts requires the applicant for a position to have a number of basic, specialized, narrowly focused knowledge. Also, the profession of an archaeologist often involves certain difficulties, which not everyone is able to cope with.
Qualities an archaeologist should have:
- readiness to work in not the most comfortable conditions - often excavations are carried out far from civilization, where even with basic amenities there are problems;
- patience and the ability to do monotonous work for a long time - many historians' day "in the fields" consists of waving a shovel, brush or brush;
- sociability, the ability to get along well with others - it often takes months to excavate, during which you have to communicate with a narrow circle of people;
- focus on performing not only intellectual tasks, but also difficult exercise- for many archaeologists, the working day consists of carrying heavy loads, being in an uncomfortable position;
- dedication to one's work, readiness to constantly learn - if these qualities are not present, then the difficulties associated with the direction will quickly block all its positive aspects;
- the ability to notice little things, analyze them, draw conclusions from not the most obvious signs;
- the ability to compare a lot of different data, to operate with large amounts of information, to make quick decisions;
- accuracy, pedantry - most of the artifacts are in a vulnerable position in front of a person. Any careless movement can destroy the historical heritage;
- lack of imagination or the ability to restrain it - archaeologists work only with obvious things. They must be able to abstract from theory, drawing conclusions only on proven facts.
A field or underwater archaeologist needs good physical fitness and stamina. Representatives of the profession often have to work in adverse conditions, with critical indicators of temperature and humidity, and the absence of basic amenities. Physicians identify a number medical contraindications for applicants of the specialty: heart disease, blood pressure drops, convulsions, problems with hearing or speech, diabetes, violation of blood composition, dermatitis, chronic infections. It is also necessary that there are no allergic reactions to various irritants - from dust or insect bites to chemical reagents.
Where to study archaeology
Contrary to popular belief, to start working in a specialty, it is not enough to get to the excavations as an assistant or worker. To become an archaeologist, you need to get an academic education in the profile. Most major cities There are universities with historical faculties. It is better to initially choose the department of archeology, then during the mandatory practical trips the student will have a chance to assess the specifics of the chosen direction.
Each university decides which USE exams taken into account upon admission. Most often it is the Russian language, social studies, history. Sometimes you need to take additional disciplines at the discretion of the faculty and in accordance with its specifics. It can be drawing, computer science, biology, physics or chemistry. Such requirements arise from the need for the archaeologist to have a number of skills that he will need in the future for work.
A good archaeologist should be able to:
- draw, draw, make plans and diagrams, make sketches;
- manage photographic equipment;
- master the skills of conservation, preliminary processing, restoration of artifacts, based on their material;
- handle climber's or diver's equipment as needed.
For successful work in archeology knowledge of history is not enough. Artifact seeker must understand geology, geodesy, anthropology, ethnography, paleography and a number of related disciplines. Knowledge of physics, chemistry, textual criticism, numismatics, heraldry and other areas is required.
True professionals never stop learning to be an archaeologist. After graduation, they study the works of their colleagues, attend seminars and conferences, expand the range of their theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Where and how archaeologists work
Excavations are far from the only place work of the artifact finder. Active practical actions in the area of possible presence of relics are considered more of a rarity than a system.
The functions of an archaeologist are not limited to clearing a piece of land in which there may be objects important for history. It all starts with finding the right area for historical sources, which implies a long painstaking work with papers.
After the artifact search zone is established, a group equipped with everything necessary leaves for the place. In addition to archaeologists, it includes workers, laboratory assistants, assistants, technologists, and other specialists. Usually their working day begins at sunrise, continues throughout the daylight hours, during which short breaks are made for rest. In some areas, you have to act very carefully, which is why some professionals spend hours almost jewelerly removing layers of earth from found objects.
Most of its working life archaeologists work in offices, laboratories, libraries. They collect information, analyze it, compare facts. If necessary, specialists are engaged in the restoration of destroyed objects, their study using modern technical approaches. They spend no less time exchanging information with colleagues, documenting the data received.
Salary of an archaeologist in Russia
The income of scientists depends on the place of their work, the availability of a scientific degree, type of activity, degree of activity. On average, the salary of a candidate of sciences is 30-40 thousand rubles. The holder of a scientific degree can count on 50-60 thousand rubles. The salary of an archaeologist can be significantly increased if he has weight in the scientific community, is engaged in writing articles or publishing books. Professionals with a well-known name in their field are often invited to lecture, to act as a consultant on film sets, to act as a censor of educational or popular science literature. Abroad, an archaeologist often receives an order of magnitude more, but in other countries there are enough of their own specialists, so only a few manage to find a place somewhere.
Benefits of being an archaeologist
Archeology is an interesting science that attracts hundreds of thousands of people with the mere chance to participate in unraveling the mysteries of history. Her admirers see many more advantages in the profession of an archaeologist, but they are all subjective. Scientists have a chance to find something significant, to make a discovery, to go down in history themselves. Every year, interest in the direction is growing more and more, there are interesting government programs travel financing. A professional with a vast store of knowledge has many ways to make good money on archeology - articles, seminars, lectures, books, television programs.
Increasingly, non-state structures are becoming interested in conducting research. For savvy and ambitious artefact seekers, there is a chance to do private excavations in various climatic conditions. Archeology requires constant development from the scientist, does not allow him to relax, encourages him to acquire fresh knowledge and master new skills.
Disadvantages of being an archaeologist
Today, Russian archeology is not in a decadent state, as it was half a century ago, but it is still not considered an advanced field in science. History faculties graduate thousands of young professionals who often experience difficulty finding employment. The salary of inexperienced personnel may initially be so small that it does not satisfy basic needs. Beginning archaeologists have to spend a lot of time to prove themselves in the direction - after 4 years of bachelor's degree, 2 years of master's degree and 3 years of postgraduate study, at least 5 years of experience is required. Only after that it is advisable to start writing articles or books, try to get a job in an international group.
Some archaeologists point to the difficulty of combining profession with personal life. This is especially true for women who dream of having children. True, there are options for working without frequent business trips. Not every time the excavations are successful, which can undermine the morale. Travel conditions are often not very comfortable, which many people can cope with. modern people fails. Do bright career in archeology, with the resulting financial well-being, only a few succeed.
The profession of an archaeologist is not a 100% chance to make money and achieve fame. Representatives of the direction consider it a vocation for those who are in love with science, long for romance, and are not afraid of hard work and possible disappointments.
The history of mankind has many dark spots. Not all events found their reflection in the chronicles. Sometimes, in order to find out any details, it is necessary to look for individual elements belonging to a particular period. It is this activity that guides the archaeologist.
What does an archaeologist do
What does an archaeologist do and what does he do? Many people think that archeology is an exciting adventure that involves the search for treasures and a lot of impressions. This stereotype was formed under the influence Hollywood movies. In part, this presentation of information is truthful, but without a lot of embellishment. A person who wants to master the profession of an archaeologist must first of all be a fan of his work.
Finding artifacts is not particularly simple process. All of them are in most cases reliably hidden from the human eye. Sometimes for great discoveries it is necessary to descend into the water depths (which is what marine archeology does). Field archeology involves conducting excavations far from amenities and civilization. Often found relics need to be examined or conserved right on the spot.
It is also worth noting that the lack of proper living conditions may not be so pleasant moment. It is not always possible to wash your face or even brush your teeth. The profession of an archaeologist is associated with the implementation of a strict schedule: early rise and late lights out with short breaks for rest is an integral part of this specialization.
Pros and cons of being an archaeologist
Advantages:
- an endlessly interesting profession;
- the opportunity to visit the most remote corners of the planet;
- a touch of antiquity;
- the social significance of the profession. Each specialist can go down in history as a discoverer of something.
Flaws:
- life is not always in comfortable conditions (lack of the opportunity to eat right, sleep in a tent, lack of a shower, toilet);
- exhausting work;
- frequent business trips can interfere with personal life;
- there are no guarantees of successful completion of the expedition.
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How to become an archaeologist
Time spares nothing. That is why all the items found during excavations are characterized by high fragility. The slightest wrong move can lead to irreparable consequences. Accuracy in the work of an archaeologist occupies a special place.
Artifacts alone can't tell anything. It is necessary to know a lot of information about the area where the research is being conducted.
Very often, scientists involved in archeology turn into narrow specialists, orienting themselves only in a certain period of history. Finds cannot be plucked from overall picture reality. Therefore, it is very important to know the historical background of this or that phenomenon.
In addition to deep knowledge of this complex science, an archaeologist should also learn the elementary basics of drawing and photography. All found items must be sealed. You never know what might happen to them in the future. Knowledge of ancient languages will also be an important addition.
The value of a discovery loses all meaning if it is not communicated to people. In this case, the ability to analyze all your observations and express thoughts in articles or scientific publications will come in handy.
Where to study archaeology
- Moscow Archaeological Institute
- National Research Saratov State University named after N.G. Chernyshevsky
- Novosibirsk National Research State University
- Volgograd State University
