11th June 2013, 07:30 PM
Pity this isn't in Italian, as most Italian graduates think that having an archaeo degree excludes them from digging. A number of years ago, on a large project in Ireland, we recruited a number of Italian "archaeologists". When shown the site and told what would be required, most of them were shocked and surprised to learn that they would be required to "dig". "But we're archaeologists" many of them said. My reply was "we're all archaeologists here". They were even more shocked to learn that even the supervisors excavated (whenever we got the bloody chance!). A number of them said that it wasn't what they were expecting (obviously thought that the salary of â¬450 pw was for just being there and looking cool. In fact, one guy turned up for work wearing 'Ralph Lauren'), and asked to be taken back to the airport. From what i could gather, they assumed that having a degree meant that they'd sit on a spoil-heap whilst 'workers' would do the digging, then they'd go in with brushes etc to remove the "goodies". Watching too much Indiana Jones, methinks! As a supervisor, can honestly say that i get very pissed-off when i'm told to "get on with the paper-work" whenever i jump into a trench, and many's the weekend i've spent on doing paperwork at home in my own time in order to give me some time for "digging".
Totally agree with everything you say Senor Jack!
A dirty archaeologist is a happy archaeologist!:o)
Totally agree with everything you say Senor Jack!
A dirty archaeologist is a happy archaeologist!:o)