Everybody seems to know something about archaeology.  If you're like most folks, you've constructed a substantial sense of archaeology from a vast range of popular cultural sources, a little archaeological scholarship submerged in textbooks and magazines, and maybe even some archaeology classes or digs.  The following questions should help you begin to think critically about what we do know about archaeology and archaeologists. 

Answer each of the questions in full sentences; most questions can be answered in a paragraph.  You are free to use any outside resources that will help you answer the questions, but you should be able to answer most of them without any research:  I am not particularly interested in "right" or "wrong" answers; instead, I want your responses to be self-reflective--think about why you are answering questions in particular ways and from where your knowledge came.  Email me if you have any questions.

The answers must be typed, double-spaced, in 11- or 12-point font, with 1" margins on all sides.  Please submit the paper electronically and be prepared to discuss it in class on SEPTEMBER 14th. 

1. What if you go home and tell your friends and family you're going to be an archaeologist:  What will they say, and why?  (If you've already made this pronouncement, how was it received, and why?)

2. Name at least three places professional archaeologists work.  How do you know about these jobs?

3. If you were going to make archaeology your career (or already reached that conclusion), what are the three most interesting things about the field?

4. The President comes to you and says she wants you to name the top five cultural sites in the United States (these can include archaeological sites as well as historical spaces or standing structures).  What are these sites, and why?

5. Now the Governor wants a piece of your mind, too:  What are the top five cultural sites in Indiana, and why?

6. In one sentence, describe the value of archaeology.

Last updated June 19, 2015