Our very own Indiana Jones…
I’ve been working for WEXO for over three months now and was lucky enough to find the position through the website itself. However, my roots lie not in business development but the exotic world of archaeology.
I studied Egyptian Archaeology for three years at University College London and found it one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’m often asked how I got ‘into the field’ as it were, as well as the more frequent questions about my relations to Indiana Jones and why I chose to design buildings (note: archaeology is NOT architecture), and so have decided to share my top five reasons for how and why I went into the Archaeological environment and why you all should too;
- Travel – Travelling around the UK and Europe and seeing ancient sites was what originally got me hooked. While studying for my undergraduate degree the opportunities to travel were fantastic. Beside study tours to Turkey and Egypt I was able to spend three months across three consecutive summers excavating a Roman fort in rural Romania. Sun equals fun.
- Experience – The best way to learn things in archaeology, especially if you want to become a field archaeologist, is to get stuck in. Experiencing techniques and evidence in the field is the best way to develop an understanding. There are various societies and field teams that allow students to come along and join in at weekends and school holidays. As long as it doesn’t spend the whole time raining with you knee-deep in mud and bones, it can act as a great foot in the door and helped me considerably.
- Research – Any background reading is a great asset, try out “Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice” by Renfrew and Bahn. Following current affairs also provides a great residual knowledge of archaeology and enables you to make wild assumptions about a series of small walls in true Time Team style. The best source online is http://www.archaeology.co.uk/ .
- University – Studying archaeology is predictably the best way to turn the hobby into a career, and you’ll quickly come to realise Tony Robinson is no expert.
- Variation – An aspect of archaeology that you can’t find in most dull office jobs is that of variation. Whether you’re travelling abroad in sunnier climes, writing a research paper, excavating a burial ground, or dabbling in site photography, the one thing you will never be is bored!
Let’s hope this has encouraged you all to jump on the archaeological band wagon and start digging up your parent’s garden!
Elliott Rampley
elliott@wexo.co.uk
