Archaeology: A Career in Ruins

My name is Daniel Lowery, and I am a graduate assistant at the QAR Conservation Lab. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in anthropology at East Carolina University. I have always had an interest in history, but it is a bit embarrassing to admit that I was not truly captivated by archaeology until I saw the Indiana Jones movies when I was ten years old. Traveling the world, discovering rare artifacts, and saving them from bad guys – what ten-year-old wouldn’t want a career doing that? Of course, I now know that Indiana Jones is not a great archaeologist (he frequently destroys temples and never writes anything down!) and that those movies largely misrepresent what archaeologists actually do. But to their credit, they did inspire a young kid to grow up and become a real archaeologist. Plus, even though archaeology is nothing like the movies, it is still just as exciting!

Movies were not my only inspiration. My parents frequently took me to museums and historic sites like Colonial Williamsburg, and they encouraged me to read history books and learn about other cultures. I owe a lot to my teachers in high school as well, who further nurtured my interest in the past by encouraging me to take classes such as AP United States and European History. I was fortunate to go on two educational trips in high school to England, France, and a few other European countries. One was a World War II trip that began in England and traced the path of the war all the way to Germany. After the extraordinary chance to experience the cultures and witness the histories of these places, I could not wait to go back, and I knew more traveling was in my future.

Despite an early interest in history, it might be surprising to hear that neither history nor anthropology were my first choices for a major. I initially majored in engineering at North Carolina State University. However, after three semesters I realized that my heart was not really in it, and I began to question my choice. Fortunately, it is never too late to change your mind and pursue your passion. I met with several wonderful advisors at NC State, changed my major to anthropology, and I have never regretted that decision.

While at NC State, I had the opportunity to join the Makounta-Voules Archaeological Field School in Cyprus, where we worked to uncover a prehistoric settlement to better understand the shift to urbanization that began in Cyprus during the Middle Bronze Age. We would wake up very early and drive to the site, where we worked until the afternoon to dig trenches, recover artifacts, and carefully map and record our findings. It was tiring yet exhilarating – it is hard to describe the thrill of handling an artifact that has not been touched for a few thousand years! When we weren’t working, we took trips around the island, both to bustling cities and other famous archaeological sites. Despite our busy schedules, we even had plenty of time to explore the local town and head to the beach to relax. I made lifelong friends on that trip and some of my fondest memories. I would encourage anyone to take part in a field school, as it was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Shortly after graduating, I realized there was still a lot I wanted to learn about archaeology, so I decided to stay in North Carolina and pursue a degree at ECU. I have made many wonderful friends here, and it led to this once in a lifetime opportunity to intern at the QAR Lab. I assist with the conservation of materials and artifacts from Queen Anne’s Revenge as well as metal artifacts from Brunswick Town, a colonial site on the coast of North Carolina that has been excavated by my advisor, Dr. Charles Ewen. I am currently compiling an internship report describing my duties and newly acquired lab skills, which I will defend in the Spring of 2022.

Though I look forward to graduating and beginning my career as an archaeologist, I am going to miss ECU dearly, especially the new friends I have made and of course the QAR Lab. It is a privilege to work here, and I would do it for the rest of my life if I could. Every day I get to help conserve artifacts that Blackbeard may have actually touched, and I cannot fully describe the thrill and honor of that experience. I am eternally grateful to the QAR staff and to every person that has encouraged me along the way. I hope to make them all proud after I graduate and enter a new and exciting phase of my life.

Images:
Intern Daniel Lowery. Used with permission.
Daniel in Cyprus. Used with permission.