Forget any ideas you've got about lost cities, exotic travel, and digging up the world

[thepowerofdeath]

I work for the local government, in a desk-based role that is simultaneously really boring and actually quite interesting. It's mostly administrative with some customer service, but also some research and records management. For the most part, I enjoy it. It keeps me busy and - most importantly - it pays the bills.

Sometimes though, I really miss working on a dig. One of my degrees is in archaeology, but I haven't worked on a dig in over a decade. I don't know that I necessarily want a full time job in the field - I'm not built to be working outside and both it and academia would frustrate me too much with the red tape.

Every now and again I have a half-hearted look at related jobs but I'm not brave enough to even apply. There have been a few digs around here lately that have been asking for volunteers and I've been very tempted to sign up but again something has stopped me. I can't even put my finger on what it is, to be able to start to address it and work through it.

I still completely love archaeology - and for those who don't know archaeology is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts, sites, and cultural landscapes. Archaeologists study human prehistory and history, from the development of the first stone tools at Lomekwi in East Africa 3.3 million years ago up until recent decades. Insert joke here about the difference between grave robbing and archaeology. They (we?) have various goals, which range from understanding culture history to reconstructing past lifeways to documenting and explaining changes in human societies through time. They do this by surveying, excavation of sites of interest, and eventually analysis of data collected, to learn more about the past. In broad scope, archaeology relies on cross-disciplinary research.

I always enjoyed the research side of things more than the excavating - yet that's the bit I miss. There's undoubtedly a whole wave of not being who I thought I was going to be, and what I thought I was going to do. A mid-30s life crisis perhaps? Is that a thing? I think I have a lot unpacking to do. But that's not a job for tonight.

I have started re-reading some of my old archaeology books and have just finished reading Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice by Paul G. Bahn & Colin Renfrew. It was a lovely refresh of basics and it's definitely whetting my appetite again. I've also picked up a new copy of Archaeology: An Introduction by Kevin Greene & Tom Moore

For now, I'm going to see where this takes me and try to remove any expectations on myself to do anything other than enjoy it

Comments

[smallrobot]

For now, I'm going to see where this takes me and try to remove any expectations on myself to do anything other than enjoy it

Sounds like a good plan, tbh! It also sounds like you're approaching your anxiety and fear of a new beginning in a very reflective and constructive way, so I'm sure you'll figure it out at some point.

I found that joy is often a good compass to find out where to go in life. Hope you can find and reach a satisfying goal, and have lots of fun along the way. :)

[thepowerofdeath]

Thank you. Right now, I'm enjoying rediscovering my love for the discipline, even if it's only through reading and talking about it. I've subscribed to a few related newsletters to try and get a little more up to date - t here have been some very exciting finds lately which have even hit the mainstream news so I might start sharing those here as well.

[montmartres]

I completely understand what you mean but if you ever feel like you could, you should try to sign up for a dig again! It sounds like something you are passionate about so why not try?

[thepowerofdeath]

I just need to talk myself up to it - and possibly figure out what the my mental block on it is, so I can work through it. Hopefully I will get there and not too far in the future

[tinkaton]

I definitely understand not applying for things you aren't 100% certain about, especially when it comes to job related stuff. Not sure if it'll help but I try to think about applications as not set in stone, so there's no harm in just applying and if they do get back to you, you can always decline.

[thepowerofdeath]

That is a very good point, and I didn't think of it like that. thank you!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I hope it all works out. I would definitely give it a try. I understand being hesitant but if the last three years have taught me anything it's just give it a go! Don't wait! But don't get too invested in the result before you get the result (if that makes sense). Love your interest in Egypt!!

[thepowerofdeath]

Thank you - I think the last few years have made me more cautious, not wanting to rock the boat when everything is such a mess and I'm in a safe, stable, place!

[blaesus]

You can tell how much you love the field so I hope you figure out what the block is, and manage to work through it!

[thepowerofdeath]

Thank you - I'm glad it still sounds like I love it, because I really do!