Paleoanthropology Field School

Hello all! I am a soldier-turned-college student who has been accepted into a paleoanthropology field school being held in Tanzania in summer 2014. Paleoanthropology is the study of ancient human evolution and culture; It's sort of a mix of archeology (think 'India Jones') and physical anthropology (think of the TV show 'Bones'). Participants will live in Olduvai Gorge, home to some of the oldest Hominin (human lineage) remains and tools. We will learn how to dig for, classify, and catalog fossils and tools.

History is the one great fiery passion in my life. I love to study history from our early days in Africa to the exploits of Samurai in Edo Period Japan. Being able to attend the field school will help me realize my dream of studying deep history first hand. Imagine being able to walk where humans and pre-human species walked hundreds of thousands of years ago. Now imagine finding where they lived and studying the elements of their culture (the tools they used, the food they ate, etc.). This would be like hopping in a time machine and visiting your great-great-great... grandfather. How cool is that?

I am reaching out because the traditional scholarship I have applied for is not guaranteed, nor will it pay for the entire program cost. This doesn't include the round trip airfare, vaccinations or camping supplies. Covering the entire amount would be a substantial financial burden for me. Just know that any amount pledged is not going to waste because I hope to hone the skills I learn in Africa in a PhD program. Then I will be able to pass on the knowledge I have acquired to the following generations. Remember that "Knowledge is Power" (Scientia potentia est).

To learn more about the field school, see this link:

http://www.olduvaiproject.org/