What should i major in if i am interesting in Archeology and Astronomy?

Question

I really would like to be a part of discovering new things. Whether they are new things from the past or new things from the future (space). I am torn between both....

Can these two be intertwined some how? If so, how? What should my major be or any other kind of advice. Thanks.

Answer 1

I was a Historian/Anthropologist and went back to school to get my degree in Environmental/Chemical Engineering and I will never forget that one of the few engineering professors that I had that I thought could possible have a deep intellecual idea told me that it was a lot easier to work as a chemical engineer and have anthropology as a hobby then to be an anthropologist and have chemistry as a hobby.  I think there is something to that.

If you study astronomy seriously, you will have to take all of the math, physics and chemistry classes that a chemical engineer takes, why not get the engineering degree and then get your graduate degrees in astronomy or anthropology/ archaeology.  You know that to do well in those fields you will need at least a Masters.  But make sure you can feed your kids in the mean time.  Oh, those kids haven't come yet!  You know they tend to spring up at the darndest times.

Answer 2

Geography

Answer 3

You could study the relationships between buildings and sites, and astronomical positions, to determine how advanced the peoples' astronomical knowledge was. For example Stonehenge and the rising and setting sun and moon, on the solstices and equinoxes. I believe it's called Astroarcheology.

Answer 4

A S T R O N O M Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALL THE WAY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

There's not a specific major that covers both subjects. you could double major. or minor in egyptology, it would be archeology with hint of astronomy because everything they did and built and worshipped was based on the stars.

Answer 6

You could major in anthropology and physics (difficult, but entirely possible to complete both majors) and study the relationship between ancient civilizations and the cosmos.  A lot of them (ie the Hopewell/Adena, the Maya, the Mexica, all sorts of groups in Europe, the Inca peoples) were very aware of the stars and such and based some of their architecture (and sometimes other cultural materials) on them.

You would not absolutely need physics (you could minor in it, or ignore it completely), but it would definitely help you to understand the papers that you would be reading in order to go forth with your research.

Check out the website for the Center for Archaeoastronomy and their publication, Archaeoastronomy:  The Journal of Astronomy in Culture for more information.  You should be able to contact people at the center for more information, such as what they studied at the university and what they would suggest that you study.