9th September 2005, 09:49 PM
returned to archaeologey after 12 years after digging before uni. The days when you could still have 3 pints before returning to an afernoon digging!!! When I came back I trained in survey. Had a great time and went to lots of foreign projects in Eastern Europe, Near East and Ireland. All paid for. But the killer has been working in the U.K once you have a wife and child to support. I love archaeology but the low pay is the ruin of it. My wife once she understood this thinks all British archaeologists are mad!!! and stupid for excepting low wages. The status of archaeolgists in other countries is higher in regards to pay. Yes there are worse jobs and lower pay but this is a job in the main worked by people with degrees. You will have to show why your family will have to do without by working in it on your return. I love the job and archaeology but we have undermind ourselfs and archaeolgy by this failure to pay correct wage levels.