Tatyana Vasilyeva has worked at the Archaeology Section of the Institute of Linguistics, Literature and History KarRC RAS for over 15 years. She made her first steps in archaeology during her school years: Tatyana has taken part in expeditions together with her father since she was ten. After school, she graduated from the History Department of the Petrozavodsk State University, completed the Doctoral School at KarRC RAS and became a Candidate of Sciences (PhD). The scientist has a rich background of exciting expeditions and thousands of archaeological findings. “Archaeologist is not just a profession, it’s a lifestyle”, – the researcher proclaims.

– Archaeology is a historical science discipline. It studies the past of humankind through material evidence. One sometimes hears archeology being called a science armed with a shovel, and for a good reason: the head and the shovel are archeologist's main tools" – Tatyana Vasilyeva said.


Meeting with Academic Lyceum ninth-graders

The introduction to the profession began in the Archaeological Museum of ILLH KarRC RAS. The exhibition is arranged chronologically and covers a period from the 7th millennium B.C. to the 18th century. Children saw excavated objects of stone, clay, and metal, Medieval artifacts: jewelry, weapons, coins, utensils, and more. The students were particularly excited to learn about a branded sword excavated from a medieval tumulus. The archaeologist explained that when a warrior died, his sword was buried along with him.

One of the sections of the Archaeological Museum is given to petroglyphs of the White Sea and Lake Onego. In 2021, the rock carvings on Karelian granites were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is largely thanks to the efforts of scientists from KarRC RAS that Karelian petroglyphs are now known all over the world.

– Petroglyphs truly are the chronicle of Karelia recorded on stone. They are, in a way, the most ancient document preserved to our days, – the scientist noted.


Introduction to petroglyphs during the career guidance tour

The tour was not limited to the class at the Archaeological Museum. Tatiana Vasilyeva guided the children around the repository, which stores most of artifact collections – over 400 000 items!

Making acquaintance with archeology was the first activity in a series of career guidance events within the project "Ticket to the Future" for both the ninth-graders and archeologists from KarRC RAS. The children and the scientist are convinced it should be continued.

– It’s important. For high school students not yet decided about their future profession, workplace tours can help find their bearings and a career to their liking, – Academic Lyceum ninth-grader Olesya Smirnova concluded after the event.

– Naturally, we’re interested in recruiting new staff. In Petrozavodsk, the interested youth can enter the History Department of PetrSU, and after graduating – the Doctoral School of KarRC RAS. The situation now is very favorable for archaeological research. There are several interesting projects underway in Karelia, in which our employees take an active part, - said Tatiana Vasilyeva regarding the prospects.


Schoolchildren scrutinizing archaeological artifacts

The career-guidance project for schoolchildren “Ticket to the Future” is part of the federal project “Success for Every Child” and is implemented within the Education National Project. To take part in the tours, schools and pupils have to register on the project’s web platform https://bvbinfo.ru. The portal offers a selection of professional spheres, including science-related ones. This year, Karelian Research Centre RAS participates in the project for the first time as a host. Until November 22, KarRC RAS welcomes schoolchildren to get acquainted with the professions of archaeologist, geologist, sociologist, phytopathologist, chemist, and others.