Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - November/December 2010 - (Page 12)

Get iStock W HEN I WAS 17, I unearthed my first stone celt—a Native American tool similar to an axe. The archaeologists at the Lost Towns Project found this artifact in a colonial trash pit near Annapolis, Maryland. After photographing it and drawing it in situ—in the location that we found it—it was time to remove —in it so we could take it back to the lab to study it further. The director of the dig announced that the intern, meaning me, should remove the celt. It was quite an honor, and I remember the thrill of delicately removing this piece of history, this tool that a Native American carefully shaped out of stone perhaps a thousand years ago, and which a colonist later found, used, and threw away in his trash heap, where it sat until I removed it 250 years later. Since then, I have excavated at dozens of sites in Maryland and also in Hungary, and the thrill of discovery hasn’t waned. I love archaeology because it allows me to learn about so many different subjects—such as architecture, history, botany, chemistry, biology, geography, culture, and heritage—and how all these subjects relate. I get to work outside most of the year, discover hidden stories about the past, and teach students and adults alike about our heritage. History is all around us, and archaeology helps us understand that, because you can hold the past in your hand. Today, I am the internship coordinator for the Lost Towns Project, where I had that first high school internship. My experience that summer shaped my future. In college, I studied cultural anthropology, archaeology, and museum studies, and had several hands-on educational opportunities along the way—two archaeological field schools, a museum internship, and a job at my college’s natural history museum. When I graduated, I was lucky enough to get a job with Lost Towns. As the internship coordinator, I am in charge of recruiting, interviewing, scheduling, and educating interns. Our interns range from high school students to graduate students, so there is a range of skills and backgrounds. We do not require any previous experience, but we do require that our interns be interested in archaeology or preservation, be reliable, and try their hardest every day. Some of our best interns have been high school students. The sooner you get involved in archaeology or history, the better. Here are some thoughts on how to get involved while you’re in high school—and how to make the most of the experience. get to know your local historical or archaeological organizations. There are local history organizations and museums everywhere. Look up local resources online or in the phone book, and ask about opportunities for high school students to volunteer or intern. Many historical organizations only have one or two full-time staff and rely heavily on volunteers. This means that you can really contribute to these organizations. If you have an idea about what you are interested in—such as archaeology, Civil War history, or prehistoric technology—let them know. They may be able to either integrate your interests or recommend another organization that can. If you don’t have a specific interest in mind, that’s okay, too. That is what hands-on experiences are good for—figuring that out! Ask lots of questions. Don’t be shy. You are there to learn, and asking questions lets your supervisor know that you are interested and paying attention. It is also good to ask questions of the people you are working with. If you want to be an archaeologist, ask the archaeologists you are working with about how they decided on their career, where they went to college, what they love about their job, and so on. If you think you want to go to school for archaeology, ask questions about different programs. Learn from these professionals. 12 imagine nov/dec 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - November/December 2010

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - November/December 2010
Contents
Big Questions
In My Own Words
Inside the Ropes
Get Your Hands Dirty!
The Bone Reader
The Science of Archaeology
A Window to the Past
History and Archaeology in the News
National History Day
Dig This!
Selected Opportunities & Resources
Taking the Leap
Off the Shelf
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options
One Step Ahead
Planning Ahead for College
Students Review
Mark Your Calendar
Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - November/December 2010