beauty. One of the first posters on my wall as a
child was the face of Nefertiti. I didn't even know
it at the time, I just liked the poster. As I learned
more, I became more interested in the iconic
queen and also the history of this era.
You're also studying archaeology at UCLA are you working towards a degree?
I have been concentrating mostly on First
Civilizations, though not taking classes every
term, as I didn't have a student visa. I could only
take a minimum amount of classes at the start,
but now I have a Green Card, and I can finish off
my degree anywhere, which is good thing. I do
want to get my degree within the next ten years,
but I joke and say I will be 100!
What does your interest in this field mean to
you personally, and how does it enrich your
life?
The Nefertiti Bust
and a written language developed. Mesopotamia
invented new technology like the number system
based on 60, e.g. 60 seconds in a minute, also
the 12 month calendar with a 7 day week.
Astronomers studied the stars and mapped the
first set of constellations. Architects invented the
dome, column and arch. It was an exciting era,
but unfortunately there are only mounds of dirt
that remain today. The good news is that
archaeologists are uncovering artefacts under
the rubble, which is great as there is a lot more
to learn and discover.
Do you have a favourite historical object or
artefact?
The Nefertiti Bust is one of my favourite
objects. (Bust meaning sculpted or cast
representation of the upper part of the human
figure, depicting a person's head and neck, as
well as a variable portion of the chest and
shoulders.) The Nefertiti Bust is around 3,300
years old and shows one of the most famous
women of the ancient world, an icon of feminine
Who we are, and where do we come from, are
the fundamental questions every budding
archaeologist asks. If I can learn about the past,
I can understand more clearly who I am. There
are so many unanswered questions and we are
living at a very exciting time, as we are getting
closer I believe, to answering some very
important questions about our past.
Have you made new friends through this
interest? Is it something that is shared by
others in your life?
My Dad and I share a passion for archaeology
and there are Facebook Groups that I am on as
well.
Have you taken part in an archaeological dig,
or visited any ancient sites?
No digs yet, unless you want to include a Year 9
expedition with my class that was studying
archaeology for a term, when we went to the tip.
I found a sheep skull! I have visited many
ancient sites including Troy, Ephesus and
Yenikai in Turkey. In Greece I have been to the
Acropolis, Crete, Delphi and Agora of Athens. I
went to Chichen Itza, Teotihuacan and Tulum in
Mexico. On the outskirts of Tulum a local family
took me to a new dig where archaeologists were
working, and I observed, which was incredible.
So many mounds in the area that haven't been