When I was 11 years old, my mother took me to the theater. The movie was Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which is the second film in the Indiana Jones series. Wearing a fedora and a leather jacket, Harrison Ford looking for ruins made a strong impression on me. I was totally absorbed by watching him protect ancient artifacts from enemies and of course there was also the romance. It id a Hollywood action comedy, but his acts were just and appealing to me. Later when I was interviewed for college, I was asked "What made you come here?" "After watching Indiana Jones Sir." I answered without hesitation.
To be an Archaeologist
In order to study archaeology, you should apply to a department such as the department of Archaeology, Archaeology-Arthistory, or Archaeology-Anthropology. You can also study archaeology in other departments such as Korean History, History and Cultural Anthropology. These are not as professional as the department of Archaeology. Archaeology uses derailed methods for restoring lives and cultures. We look through the remains(ruins or ancient artifacts) of the past rather than just studying history. In addition, it requires excavation which is the most fundamental part of archaeological research.
No Diamonds, no Beauties
Actually, people in this field are very different from Indiana Jones' adventures and romance. In Korea, approximately a thousand investigations and excavations are being carried out. More than 99% of them ate done in order to search for cultural property before changing the actual conditions. 'Condition change' means that the environment has changed because of the development of roads, apartments and plants. So we have to search cultural assets in existing construction sites. Eventually, we work with people engaged in construction and civil engineering. After the investigation and excavation, we analyze the remains and make a report. We then compare a variety of results to find the historical significance of it. Investigation and excavation is, so to speak, the first step. There are so many more things waiting for us, but there are no treasure maps or beauties.
I Feel happy when I become their Indiana Jones
The best thing is that I am doing what I have wanted to do since I was a child. It is meaningful that I do what I want to do and I feel satisfied. I used to think that it is a good thing to have successful excavations and valuable results come out. Now I'm working for the government service so I think it is important to attain good results and get them back to people.
I have experienced many things. I remember the days when we opened excavations to the public. The events were on the weekends because people rarely come on weekdays. Many people came and I talked with them about history. One of the great things I did was to let children dig in the ground and find artifacts. That moment made me feel great. Imagine they became archaeologists. I feel like I encourage their dreams just like Indiana Jones did for me.
He is famous for th human body reconstruction of the Gaya girl. Many experts from diverse fields participated in this project and it received good review from the Korean Archaeological Society. Also, he displayed the Gaya girl so that many people went to see her. It was covered by media and I have no choice but to him about it.
I entered the Gaya National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage in Changwon. Above all, I felt strange in the Yeongnam region. Studying archaeological theories as well as reconstructing sunjang human body was a difficult job for me.
We investigated a tomb in Songhyeon-dong, Changnyeong, South Gyeong-sang Province in 2007. It was huge tomb dating back to the early sixth century. The tomb had already sixth century. The tomb had already been messed up by tomb robbers and only one woman remained perfectly. When I saw her, I thought, 'I should restore her.'
There had not been an attempt to restore human bones to the form of real human, so there were to restore human bones to the for the first time and there was no references, no experts related to archaeology. So I contacted professors that had retired from department of autopsy from the National Institute of Scientific Investigation. I also asked young medical school professors if I could work with them.
Do what you want to be
I heard that being a public official is a popular job these days. So they stay up at night studying for the public service exam. I am also a public official, but it was not my goal.
Those whose goal is to be a public official cannot develop after they become what they want. It is not enough to only pursue a being public official. It is vital to be someone who contributes to the group and society. It is sad that Korean society pushes students into thinking jobs have the highest priority, but wherever you are and whatever you do, if you are creative and take responsibility, you will see valuable things. Do your best even if it is a trivial ching and think twice whenever you do something. Someday you'll find yourself grown up.
twkim@cnu.ac.kr