How rampant is the drug and alcohol use in Archaeological world?

Question

I know it's an odd question, but it was something a friend and I wondered about one night while watching the History Channel drunk.

Basically, how hard to Archaeologists, Archaeology students, and other people in the Archaeology related fields party? More then the average person? Less? About the same ratio?

Also, are Archaeologists normally subject to drug tests? Do Field Jobs drug test? Universities? Museums?

Answer 1

Youvewatched the History Channel right?

Do all the presenters look like they are crack to you? I rest my case ... lol

Answer 2

Okay, I don't know about Archaeologists, but I do know about paleoanthropologists.  There are films of Lovegood in the late 60's early 70's where you know he's stoned out of his gourd.  And they didn't name Lucy simply becaue the song happened to be playing, but because they were living the high life at the time they found her and couldn't quite wrap their minds around it.  

Then again, that was the 70's.  Otherwise, I'm pretty sure that the early morning needed to survive field work and teaching schedules precludes the late night party circle for most.  it's almost funny watching these guys at conferences.  Definetly not the party hardy variety.

And although I've had to take drug tests for corporate jobs, I've never had to take one for a teaching position or when working or doing research at a museum (then again, unless I've eaten 10 lbs of poppy seed bagels the day before, I'm more likely to pass than an average person).

Answer 3

I only know 1 person who is in that world. Former roommate (and best friend) got into it solely to study Ethnogens (sp?), if that tells you anything... He is a pretty big fan it using illegal drugs and drinking.

Answer 4

IT depends on who is digging & where.

Most digs I have been on were American or British.  Many students were often drunk after the day's work was done; but it also depended on the proximity of the local bar/pub.  But most of us were sober, or would at least stop at a drink or two.  

I do not know of a paid archaeologist who would go to work trashed; but they could be fired for it (like all those who work).

Answer 5

Oh please, the majority of the population (where I come from) has admitted to using marijuana at least once in their lives (and who really does it only once especially in college?) and drinking is fairly common among all people.

I've had classes, not in Anthropology mind you, where my professor had clearly smoked pot before the lecture. Luckily, in my country, drug testing is only ever done in jobs for the military or similar positions, for everyone else, drug testing is a violation of our constitution. Canada is the land of the free and probably slightly stoned hahaha.

My guess is that archeologists probably do engage in regular drug and alcohol use, but no more than anyone else.

Answer 6

oh its bad man, really really bad, what dya think they do with all the grants they get.booze , booze and more booze, and abit of heroin for later.

Answer 7

Everyone attended a liberal arts college for atleast 4 years... Oh yeah, if they don't do them now, then they did at one time...

Answer 8

Very rampant

Answer 9

Judging by some of the papers they put out, I'd say that 95% of them are permenantly plastered.

Answer 10

I dunno know about drug use, but I've never met an archaeologist who doesn't drink at least socially. I've never been out on a dig where a cooler of cheap beer didn't magically appear at the end of the day.

I'm not saying that they're all alcoholics, because I've never known one to show up for work drunk or to let their drinking dominate their life. I'm just saying that drinking is pretty common with this crowd in my experience.

Answer 11

People in this field do not need drugs or alcohol as they get a high off of their profession.