How can a archelogy student find sponcer for education?

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Request for Question Clarification by scriptor-ga on 26 Jul 2004 13:38 PDT

In what country of this planet?

Scriptor

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Clarification of Question by madmaxj-ga on 26 Jul 2004 13:48 PDT

A friend of mine is a second year student Anthropology major at
University of Alambama USA, with focus in Archelogy.  He is a US
Citizen,and will qualified to dig after this semester.  He is willing
to dig/work in Israel,Greece, or China.  This past summer he spend two
weeks in China.

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Request for Question Clarification by digsalot-ga on 26 Jul 2004 14:43 PDT

Would he consider Egypt?

Digsalot

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Clarification of Question by madmaxj-ga on 26 Jul 2004 15:24 PDT

Yes, he would.

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Request for Question Clarification by digsalot-ga on 26 Jul 2004 16:43 PDT

OK - next question

Is he looking for a 'sponsored' volunteer status or to sign on as a
professional part of a dig?

The first of these two options would probably get more response.  Two
years as an anthropology major would not qualify for 'professional'
status in Egypt.  The reason I'm concentrating on Egypt is that is my
professional field. (now retired) - and I am more familiar with that
than I am other regions in the world.

The Egyptian Department of Antiquities keeps a tight control over its
research.  It is not quite as easy to get onto an Egyptian dig as it
might be other places.  All participants in Egyptian excavations must
have specific professional skills and pass a security check.

Would that be any problem?

Digs

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Clarification of Question by madmaxj-ga on 26 Jul 2004 17:10 PDT

His main problem is that he is not a professional yet, he is more like
''sponsored' volunteer status', than professional. What he would like
is to work, gain some experience, and make enough money to pay for
what his scholarships don't cover.

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Request for Question Clarification by digsalot-ga on 26 Jul 2004 18:19 PDT

While I see what I can do considering the limitations, I am going to
send you to a web page specializing in archaeological volunteer
opportunities.
http://www.archaeolink.com/archaeology_volunteer_opportunit.htm - I'm
also required to disclose that the page is mine.

He may find something right in his own backyard.  There is a lot of
research being carried out in Alabama.  Here is my Alabama archaeology
page:
http://www.archaeolink.com/alabama_alabaman_archaeology.htm

Does he already have his 'technicians' certification?

Digs

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Clarification of Question by madmaxj-ga on 26 Jul 2004 20:11 PDT

He will have it at the end of this semester.

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Request for Question Clarification by digsalot-ga on 27 Jul 2004 18:21 PDT

I am finding no individuals who would act as a sponsor.  that has sort
of faded from the scene over the years.

However, there are volunteer scholarship programs which pay costs to
volunteer on a dig but they do not translate into being able to "earn"
extra money.

One of these programs is from the University of Alabama istelf.

Since there is no extra money involved other than the scholarship
itself, would any of these be of interest?

Digs

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Clarification of Question by madmaxj-ga on 30 Jul 2004 15:45 PDT

Yes, I believe he would be interested.

Hello there - - I am putting this here since it does not constutute a
full answer to the initial question.

Now that we have narrowed it down as to what is acceptable as a
'sponsorship,' here are a couple of organizations which offer
'scholarships' to allow field volunteers to have expenses covered.

Biblical Archaeology Society: Scholarships __ "BAR offers travel
scholarships of $1,000 every year to a few people who would otherwise
not be able to volunteer. In 2001 three individuals benefited from the
scholarships..."  Learn how to apply and read stories of some of the
past recipients.  While the information may be dated, the program is
ongoing and you can make contact for current offerings - quote from
website - http://www.bib-arch.org/bswbDigScholar.html

Far West Cultural Center - Archaeology, Summer, Camp,... - 
Information is dated to this year however you can still find out about
next year by getting in contact. -
http://www.farwesthistory.com/arch.asp

Alabama Archaeological Society __ They do list avialable work and
research grants. - http://www.southalabama.edu/aas/

These are just a sample of what he can find.  It takes a little searching.

Of course when he gets that tech cert, he can go to work on his own
and earn money while still gaining that all-important field
experience.   There are CRM companies in every state and they are
looking.

My best advice would be trying to go through the department head at
school - they often have a whole list he can look into, or know where
to send him.

Digs

I'd encourage your friend not to rule out opportunities closer to
home. Digging up the 200-year-old Mobile settlement is less (what?)
"glamorous" than digging in Egypt, but the challenges are similar.
Historical archaeology in the _documented_ past adds other wrinkles:
interpreting finds in light of documentary evidence, dealing with a
wider range of artifacts - in this case from many shores of the
Atlantic. (Perhaps this is not news to you.)

Dr. Greg Waselkov http://www.southalabama.edu/sociologyandanthropology/waselkov/
is chair of Anthropology at the University of South Alabama and a
leading national authority on historical archaeology. He is focused on
the excavation of the original Mobile site (1702) and volunteers have
been welcome - technicians would presumably be even more welcome.
Whether or not your friend intends to dig in Alabama, it wouldn't hurt
to get to know Dr. Waselkov and his team.

On historical archaeology in North America see James Deetz, "In Small
Things Forgotten: The Archaeology of Early American Life." LINK:
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Anthro/Centennial/expressive/deetz_smallthingsforgotten.html

Trivial correction: "300-year-old site," not 200

Thanks a lot I am passing this on all to my friend!!!!!!!