Speaking Voluntarily: What the Volunteers think of SA
A few days ago, the SA Scribes (official blog writers for SA) decided to interview some of the Volunteers, who have been a part of SA in the past or are still actively engaged in the tasks.
The idea was to acquaint all our readers and followers with what SA actually does and what Volunteering for it is all about? Does one need a background to do all the tasks? What made them join in? Let's find out in this exclusive interview by Scribe Dixita, who talked to 4 such volunteers:
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| Anubhavpreet Kaur Nirankari SA Volunteer since November 2015 |
ANUBHAV - I had always been passionate about archaeology and the concept of SA was new.
TANYA- I found about Speaking Archaeologically from a poster in a college and it seemed so interesting and something I could learn a lot from. So, I joined it.
Q.2 In your opinion does one need historical/ archaelogical background to join SA?
TANYA- Definitely not. I'm from a Commerce background and that doesn't count against me. Everybody is ready to help, especially Shriya (Founder of SA) and the Panel, so you always have a solution for any problem.
ANUBHAV- Not really, all one needs to have is the urge to know more and find new answers to old questions to join SA. Though if you have a historical background it only helps you further.
discussions, which are basically a mixture of knowledge and fun facts. We also work on essays on diverse topics (my favourite part of SA) and research a lot. Also there are partnerships tasks, which help us get to know our fellow volunteers and give us an insight on different views.
ANUBHAV-We write essays and papers on various topics from world archaeology. Till now we have touched almost every part of archaeology through our essays. In addition to all, we do site and museum visits and object analysis that deepens our knowledge in the field.
Q.4 How was your experience at workshops?Which workshop so far has been your favourite?
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| Riya Baibhawi, Former Volunteer Speaking Archaeologically |
RIYA-Workshops are great! You get knowledge in copious amounts. I personally got to learn a lot. In addition when you have Shriya, you start looking at every minute detail while mulling over the facts behind the artefact.
My favourite one has been the Workshop on Coinage.It was my first archaeological workshop. I got to explore about a topic I had always found-well, not that special, let's say. The best thing was that I got to do so many things: make observation sheets, test metals of coins, distinguish between a fake and a real coin.
TANYA- The experience at workshops is really good , there is never a dull moment! You are always engaged in the topics which is the most important part of the wokshops.
My favourite workshop has to be the one on Philately.We studied stamps from various regions ,national and international . There were interactive discussions among the volunteers and Shriya about the stamps, their makings,the various details on them and what a certain motif on the stamp implied. That something as common as stamps could tell you so much about colonial history of the world and explain various cultural similarities was a revelation!
Q.5 What is easier : a preset task, an object task or a museum task?
TANYA- It's not a matter of what is easier. It is the amount of
dedication that you are ready to put in your work. Every task requires research and sometimes visiting places. Basically, they all require hardwork,but at the same time, there is a lot of fun involved too.
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| Tanya Bhatia, SA Volunteer since January 2016 |
dedication that you are ready to put in your work. Every task requires research and sometimes visiting places. Basically, they all require hardwork,but at the same time, there is a lot of fun involved too.
RIYA -For me the easiest is the museum task because you can relate to it more,you can study the objects thoroughly and visualise them.
Q.6 What changes do you think there have been in Speaking Archaeologically from the day you joined it to till date?
RIYA-SA has not changed much but it definitely has widened its approach and become more accessible and popular. Also, its perspective has widened and now, we have a lot more than merely doing a task.
TANYA-SA has introduced their very own journal,in which the articles of volunteers will be printed.It is a huge accomplishment and makes every person a part of this group very happy.
Q.7 Has SA changed your perspective about history?
TANYA-Extremely.The most important thing that I have learnt is, while we might assume something as negative or positive, it might not be so.While working on our essays, we have to have an impersonal and non judgemental attitude towards the topic,which is really good- it helps to reduce one's prejudices and makes them more open about speculation.
RIYA-Indeed it has helped me revive and relive history.It has taught me that even a single minute of any event in the past is of significance. The Butterfly Effects make us humans who we are today.
Q.8 How is SA beneficial to you?
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| Arundhati Sharma, Former Volunteer Speaking Archaeologically |
TANYA-SA has helped me improve my research and writting skills and gain knowledge about a lot of areas that I had no idea about.
RIYA-The most important thing that I have learnt is that everyone has a history.For example the ancestral jewellery of your family is history.You can look out for history in anything.
Q.9 On a scale of 10 how would you rate the difficulty level of research task?
RIYA-I would rate it 8 but with Shriya at your rescue it lowers down a lot!
TANYA-It is difficult but not that difficult either.With internet and some specific websites, the information collecting work is fairly easy.We also get Panel Assistance if we need access to certain files.
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