I don't want to be an archaeologist anymore...

[P-Dawg]

I have to say you are all making me quite scared!!!

Just to think, I've got all of this to come next year...

Sorry Rich, but it has to be asked - Reindeer herding!?!?!?!?

[Luíseach]

tempting though reindeer herding sounds, I think the essay I'm writing for bio anth on lizard sex (do they enjoy it?it sounds somewhat difficult...) might give it a run for its money.Go on, I call your bluff- make with the essay, reindeer boy. [e-mail]

[Pam]

Got me curious about what my first essay subject was - back in 1999. As I recently cleared out the spare room I've now got all my old files in order and to hand so I just had to take a look. Seems to be quite a doddle in comparison to french blokes doing cave art or some other bods herding reindeers....

"To what extent does the archaeological evidence for late upper palaeolithic and mesolithic Britain reflect cultural groups?"

I didn't do too bad at it (a mid 2:1 mark) but after finishing the module I decided that I would leave all prehistoric and theory stuff to 'other people' whose brains probably work in a different way to mine !

My prehistory / theory tutor didn't wear anything as colourful as pink cords but I have to point out that he did re-schedule several of our seminars in order to attend his Morris Dancing rehearsals......

[guitarmanrich]

Yep, Emily - a comparison of the cultural activities of two northern reindeer herding peoples (Lapps and Saami, I think).

Luíseach - it's not very interesting, or helpful, but if you're sure... It'll be a couple of weeks til I have internet at home (am using library system at the mo), so it may be a while before you get it. But I'll make it a priority

Can anyone beat lizard sex as the most bizarre essay requirement (although, I have to say that my dissertation on missionary activity amongst dog-headed monsters is on the quirky end of bizarre...)?

[keiths]

Luiseach,

I get the bio bit but how does lizard sex relate to anthropology (I'm assuming that anth stands for anthropolgy) is there some bizarre lizard love cult of which I know nothing (allegedly)?

My first essay is a relatively staid 'How can archaeology help us to understand who we are today?'.

[ali]

I don't know if this beats lizard sex, but my current essay is about prehistoric cross-dressing. I kid you not.

[caroline]

How come everyone gets so much quirkier essay titles? Ours seem positively normal in comparison. I'll echo Ellie though- at least in 3rd year you get to choose your topic. What you don't get to choose is your dissertation supervisor. Expert he may be, available to give me any help whatsoever, he is not. Anyhoo- how is it all going with everyone? I missed York a lot this summer- but will almost certainly be back next year. Toby, can't wait to hear what this exciting training thing is.

(And now I might just go and hunt out old essays to see what I've actually done in the last 2 years!?)

[msimpson1964]

Not actually an essay, but as Keith will confirm, one of the guys in our A2 Course at Selby has this theory that Woodhenge was used for Neolithic Pole Dancing. Probably watched too many Volvic adverts! Now, if only it could be incorporated into an essay...

Cheers
Mark

[Pam]

Caroline, sorry to hear your diss supervisor isn't very helpful.

My supervisor was really good, even though his department was being re-structured (closed down) and he had lots to do for this he still found time to see his diss students. He was also happy to feedback on individual chapters etc along the way, so you didn't get to the end and find out it was rubbish !

I reckoned he deserved some sort of medal though when he read and sent comments to me on several of my chapters at at time when he was at home laid up with broken ribs and a badly sprained wrist from falling down some steps when holidaying in Rome !

[fee]

My supervisor is very helpful (even though medieval walls are not a speciality of his), but he's off lecturing abroad at the moment...argh!!

And none of my essay subjects are/have been that interesting - maybe it's a social anthropology thing?! I'm currently researching Neolithic enclosures and settlement patterns, Neolithic Burials, and human palaeopathology. Oh how I love fourth year....

Take care folks

[Pam]

My degree was history with about a third achaeology thrown in via Options and Electives. Most of my most interesting history essay subjects would bore the pants off those of you are into that prehistoric stuff !

If possible I always went for topics that involved some sort of riot, uprising or revolt kicking off. You can't beat a few revolting peasants for making life (or essay writing) interesting ! A lot of Yorkshire people seemed to be involved, in one way or another. ;D

[ellie163]

i think my essays may be the most dull... the taphonomy of the faunal assemblage from the MSA layers at Klasies River Mouth and The perception of the landscape by hunter-gatherers... it makes my head hurt.

[guitarmanrich]

Ellie: No. 2 I understand. No. 1 does not hurt my head because I don't understand any of the words beyond 'of', 'the' and 'at'...

[rowena]

No. 1 means the relations between animals ie. related species, and how they fit together. Im doin palaeobiology as part of Earth Sciences. Its complicated..........
N I get lost

[mandy]

This doesn't really compare to lizard sex but my dissertation was on 19th century lunatic asylums in the north east- plenty of patients around here!