Like all the Guides at About.com, I'm a real person, and I welcome input from you.
Many readers think that each site is managed by a team, however, with a few exceptions, About Guidesites are the product of the work of one single individual, the Guide. Because writing and managing a web site as large as About Archaeology, is extremely time-consuming, and although my passion for archaeology is infinite, my time isn't. For that reason, I can rarely answer one-on-one personal questions about archaeology. Please read this document in its entirety before mailing me. Chances are, you'll find your answer here.
How to Find the Help You Need
Before you shoot off an email to your Archaeology Guide (or any other Internet expert, for that matter), there are a few questions you should ask yourself:
- Did I read the About.com Archaeology Site FAQ?
- Did I post my question to the Archaeology forum?
- Did I use the search function on this site to find the answer?
- Did I check the Topics listings at the left-hand side of the main page?
If you can answer "yes" to all these questions, and still couldn't find the answer you were looking for, then writing to the Archaeology Guide might be the answer.
Before You Write
Think about the question you want answered. Here are some tips to be sure you phrase your question in a way that will get answered quickly:
- Don't send attachments
I can't open them, and so it won't help your question. If you must show me something visually, post it to a Web site and send the URL. - Use a meaningful subject in the email
If your subject looks like spam, chances are it will be deleted without being opened. I have several very strong spam filters, and many spam-like messages I never even see. - Be specific
Opening a long and rambling email is daunting enough, and if it takes you 500 words to get to the point I may have given up by then. Please be as brief and succinct as you can. If I need more information, I will ask for it by email. (I do not do phone consultations.) - Be polite
I am much more likely to respond favorably to a politely worded request. And remember, all caps in email sounds like you're shouting at the recipient, and I don't like to be shouted at. - Saying thank you is always appreciated
If your question is answered and my reply was helpful, it's always nice to know. I am a human, not a computer, and I appreciate human courtesy.
- How can I become an archaeologist?
- Becoming an archaeologist takes years of education and training in field and laboratory work. But if you have the passion, archaeology can be a wonderful career choice.
- I have an artifact that my grandfather says he collected while overseas. Can you identify it for me?
- I am not a specialist in artifact identification: but I know how to find one. If you know the country where the object came from, or the culture which made it, you should be able to find a specialist to talk to.
- Here's how to Find a Specialist
- I want to study Vikings, but they don't teach it at my university! How do I do that?
- Universities are increasingly expensive, so it is best if you spend a lot of time researching and thinking about your decision.
- Here's how to find the right school
- How do I submit a site photo for one of your photo galleries?
I'd love to display your high quality photo on my site. Please follow the instructions on the Photo Submittal Guidelines page. I'm sorry, but I cannot use photos without ALL the information requested.
I also will not be able to use photos that are too small, fuzzy or out of focus, or otherwise damaged.