Master Archaeologist Requirements

Here it is, the final stretch in the Archaeology Guild. On this thread, I'll explain the additional general requirements necessary to complete the Master Archaeologist designation for the order. This is the primary path of work for Master Archaeologist, and may be followed up by work on the Master Medieval Archaeologist designation. Currently there are not many requirements but they will require some time spent in research, reading, and writing. Put your best effort forward, and on behalf of the guild, good luck!


General Requirements:


- Must be a Knight or higher within the Order.
- Must have completed all Apprentice Lessons.
- Must have completed all required Journeyman Lessons.


Specific Requirements:

- Must complete the Master Archaeologist Core Lessons
- Must complete a research paper and presentation in an area of interest.
- Must complete Community Service related to your area of interest or topic.
- Must complete a mock excavation, simulating your knowledge of organizing a dig.
- Must develop three lessons related to your topic for up and coming apprentices and journeyman.
- Must serve as a mentor in the guild from Initiation through the Journeyman level.


I’ll explain each of these specific requirements in greater detail in the following posts.

The Research Paper and Presentation are the capstone work of the Master Archaeologist. They represent a command of the subject that you chose to explore as part of you research. There are several ways to accomplish the research paper. At a minimum, the research paper will be written at a Secondary (High School) level. It must be well organized, have proper grammar, and represent a body of critical thought that represents your knowledge of the subject. Submissions will be made to the Guild Master(s) for approval. Submissions that do not meet these requirements will be returned to the journeyman for updating and resubmitting.


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Research Paper Requirements:


- 2000 words min

- 5 sources

- Finished product is similar to a high school term paper

- Displays sufficient knowledge concerning the topic chosen.

Note: Ask the Guild Master(s) for guidance on any additional questions you may have concerning your research paper.


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Presentation Requirements:

- Presentations should be at least 10 minutes and no longer than 20 minutes.

- They should incorporate some type of multimedia, i.e. Microsoft Powerpoint, Google Drive Slides, Youtube video, etc.

- They should be focused on your area of research.

Note: Ask the Guild Master(s) for guidance on any additional questions you may have concerning your presentation.

The community service portion is a fundamental requirement for everything we do here at Mook. We always return to service within our communities and for our fellow men. Because of this, everyone is required to develop a community service project designed to promote one’s chosen area of Archaeology. While we do not decide this for you we offer the following suggestions:


- Hold a class at a local library on your chosen topic of Archaeology: If there is something interesting or notable about your area focus on this and share with the community.

- Design and provide a class for children with something particular to your sub-discipline in Archaeology:

- Tutor a student in Archaeology.

- Teach the principles of Archaeology with your mock excavation.


These are just a few suggestions, but feel free to get creative in your approach to this. We’re only limited by what we think we can or can’t do. Just make sure that your project pertains to a sub-discipline of Archaeology and after that, the sky’s the limit.

This is intended to be a practical exercise in your knowledge of field work. Following the Journeyman Core Lessons in Field Archaeology, plan and perform a mock excavation for an area that is 2 meters by 2 meters with an depth no greater than 6 to 8 inches. Follow all local laws and safety guidelines. Present your findings in your journal with an archaeological field report that includes photographic evidence, personal journal entry, and any sketches that you produce. Choose the best report format for your excavation. Optionally, you may choose to send soil samples to a registered lab that will tell you the chemical makeup of your soil to include in your final report. The soil sample analysis is not required but encouraged.


Note: When surveying an area to select for the excavation, be sure you have permission to dig. Additionally, while you may not find ancient archaeological evidence in your selected area, document what you do find to include bits of metal, trash, unique rocks or fossils, or any elements that appear to be man made.

You have spent quite a bit of time working on your area of archaeology. Now it’s time to pass on what you learn! The Journeyman must create 3 lessons pertaining to the subject they researched. More lessons are always welcome, but 3 is the minimum. The lessons should be designed to pass on specific points of knowledge that you think are important to understanding your area of research and should include follow up questions that allow the guild member to think critically about the topic.

This is the final requirement to be a Master in the Archaeology Guild. One must mentor an initiate through the journeyman level. By mentorship I mean you help the initiate through the process of working through the guild by answering questions that they may have and providing feedback on their assignments. If questions should arise in the course of their research, the mentor should be able to help the individual through these as well. There are a couple of objectives that we are looking for in this process:


-The mentor helps the guild member narrow their focus to an area of interest that is specific enough to research, but is broad enough to have plenty of material associated with it for research.

-The mentor will provide lessons during the journeyman level that focus on developing the member’s area of Archaeology

-The mentor gives the final recommendation that a Journeyman is ready to begin the requirements for Master.


It is preferable that the individual is one that you have sponsored as a Page or taken on as a Squire so the relationship of trust has been established. Also, while we are in a guidance role as Mentors, we are also looking to develop the best minds for Master Archaeologist. This may not be something that everyone can accomplish. A certain amount of discretion is advised when recommending one have permission to begin the Master requirements. All recommendations for Master entrance must be approved by a majority of Guild Master Archaeologists. In the event of rejection or a tie, more work may be requested of the Journeyman to make a new determination.