Right away, let me plainly state that I am presently a paid employee of The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, SD. I have been working during the summer dig seasons for the last seventeen years, after retiring from the NPS. Obviously, I have a bias.
Our volunteers come from all over, with varying amounts of experience, hardly any of which is paleontological or archaeological. We train people on site, taking care to put beginners in relatively easy situations. The only way you can learn to dig is to dig. Motivation and careful guidance will develop proficiency, which is a never ending process (I am still learning, although my first dig was sixty-one years ago).
The main prerequisites are an ability to observe, ask pertinent questions, to focus on the problem at hand, and not be in a rush. I suppose there is a certain zen to the job.
The learning environment has its pluses. One digs within an air conditioned building, with no weather concerns - no rain, no hot sun, etc.
The learning pays off. Several prominent paleontologists have either started, or worked at, the site during their studies. I am particularly proud of one young lady who worked under my supervision in 2003. I understand she is on track to receive her PhD this December (just shows one can overcome bad initial training!)
Today we finished removing a large skull, weighing an estimated 800 pounds from the bone bed, a project which took most of the two month dig season. I was the rigger for the project and fortunately my handiwork held together, so I just came home from celebrating at the local watering place.
I would say that with a background in medicine and EE, both of you are very good prospects. Please check out the Mammoth Site website and look over the "Excavation and Preservation Program." I am happy to answer any questions you might have.
When I first came to the Mammoth Site. my attitude was, "They probably aren't too bad, but they won't be as good as the NPS". Now I feel that in nearly all aspects the Mammoth Site is far ahead of what they might have been as yet another NPS area. Operating as a non-profit 501(c)3, the site has several advantages.
I could go on, but you can probably tell I really like the place and the people who run it......
Edited by hikermor (07/19/17 02:50 AM)
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Geezer in Chief