18/19 year old male Archaeology Student from Medway, Kent

Question 1. In the current economic climate, what made you decide to undertake an archaeology degree?

Truthfully I was going to study Classics originally because it was what I enjoyed - I switched to joint honors with archaeology because it looked like a laugh.

Question 2. Currently, what do you perceive to be the most significant archaeological find that you have made and why is this?

Half of a copper bow brooch - it was real hard evidence in my hand that Romans 2000 years ago had lived and worn it, broken it, just like we break things today and throw them away - quite the shocking parallel.

Question 3. What/ where do you see yourself to be in ten years time?

Hopefully in the field, still digging and maybe with an MA in archaeology

Question 4. An archaeology student’s degree is multi-disciplinary, sociable and academically challenging. During your time as an archaeology student what has been the most memorable moment within or out of the lecture theatre?

Coming in from a Classics background, the first four weeks or more of archaeology lectures were just a blur of confusion, until one day everything just checked into place and suddenly I realized exactly what the lecturers were talking about. It was brilliant for me - I could actually understand (finally) what was going on!

Question 5. What are you currently doing? (Excavating, working, holidaying etc.)

Currently I'm on the excavation at Calleva Atrebatum - Silchester. I'm just finishing my fourth week its been amazing.

Question 6. What are your thoughts and feelings about commercial archaeology?

It is an important component of a larger whole -its the thing that gets the public interested and keeps the subject alive out of the academic field.

Question 7. Has your perception of archaeology on TV changed since you undertook your degree? (E.g. Time team, meet the ancestors, Bonekickers).

Not really- I didn't fully believe a lot of it before - now I just have a reason not to.