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Kenosha News No fedora and bullwhip here, and she's never been chased by a giant boulder. "And we don't take pick axes to the floor of Italian libraries," said archeologist Jane C. Waldbaum, who was definitely not giving off an Indana Jones-like vibe Saturday afternoon at the Kenosha Public Museum. The retired professor from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and past president of the Archaeological Institute of America spoke about the realities of archaeology, the need to protect historic sites, and problems with looting and destruction of key areas in Afghanistan and Iraq. If she had a fedora, she wasn't wearing it for her presentation, but was quick to add that Harrison Ford, who created the iconic look, is a member of the Archaeological Institute. "The movies are good fun," she said. "Some people take them too seriously and say it sends the wrong message, but some of my younger colleagues who grew up watching those films said it got them interested in the field, and now they are very serious." The reality is archaeology can be a slow, laborious process with hours of research and careful documentation. "It's a long process, and it's a scholarly field," Waldbaum said. "First you have to get a good (bachelor's degree) in the liberal arts, you have to be able to write well, then go on to get your (doctorate). If you work in Greece or Latin America, you need to learn different languages." And don't expect a few million bucks in the bank. "You don't make a lot of money," she said. "That's why you teach during the year, and maybe go out (on digs) during the summer. But even then, I don't think I've ever been paid. Just room and maybe air fare." Waldbaum stressed the importance of preserving historical sites, so others will be able to tell the stories of our past. "It's a thrill to be able to learn that story," she said. "I've always been fascinated by history. Without the research and understanding, you might just find isolated objects, but think of it as a giant jigsaw puzzle without a picture on the box." Rita Tomkiewicz, who invited Waldbaum on behalf of the Kenosha County Archaeological Society, said the fascination she and others have in the career field is completing the human record. "There is just so much more to learn, and everything we do learn, we find out about our common past," Tomkiewicz said. John Woodzick, who joined the local society last year, said he's always been interested in the past, and this helps keep that interest alive. "I kid these guys and ask them, When do I get my hat and whip?' but this is more of a science," he said. "It's important to know where you come from. "I was hooked on this from the first time I picked up an arrowhead as a kid. You won't know where you're going unless you know where you came from. I don't think we'll totally figure it out. I think it's an epiphany here and there, and you put those epiphanies together along the way, and that's how you figure it out."
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