(October 17, 2015)—So, by now you have read our stories. (If you haven’t, check out the links below).
What ties all this to International Archaeology Day? There are a few common themes to consider:
A sense of something bigger than this time and place
An innate interest in and respect for humanity
An interest in or gift for story
An ability to bring together different passions and skills sets
A strong sense of place
A sense of adventure, or going “outside the box”
Determination
Supportive families and communities
These qualities are true not just of people, but also of archaeology. All our stories involved our own pasts, places, and things. And now you understand a little more about us. Through archaeology—using method and theory to examine places and things in the past—we all understand a little more about Us.
Another thread we note is that our staff is largely from similar backgrounds. It is good that archaeology is changing to bring in diverse perspectives, and increasingly listening to and incorporating a multitude of voices. This is something we take to heart at Archaeology Southwest, and we’ll continue to expand our tribal and community consultations and conversations. We hope to continue offering field school opportunities through the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, so that a greater plurality of voices and stories come forth in archaeology. The REU program is aimed at students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in scientific research (including tribal organizations, community colleges, or colleges with limited STEM research opportunities). (UPDATE, 10/25/15: Learn more about the Society for American Archaeology’s Scholarship Program for historically underrepresented groups here. The application deadline is January 29, 2016, 11:59 EST.) (UPDATE, 12/29/15: We are now accepting applications for our 2016 Preservation Archaeology Field School. Learn more here.)
Please share your stories and thoughts below. Why are you an archaeologist? Why are you interested in archaeology? If a future archaeologist were to look at your things and try to infer your story, what are three things you’d want them to find?