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Tuesday, January 6, 2009 12:00 AM

Polynesian chickens in Peru and other mysteries

Let's hear it for the top ten archaeological discoveries of 2007 -- more clues in the most complicated mystery ever written
Andrew Leonard

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  • Tuesday, January 6, 2009 03:21 PM

    After three years in archaeology...

    In retrospect, the most valuable thing I learned in archaeology is how to use a shovel to dig really precise holes in the ground. Interestingly, this is a skill that will earn you more money than many professional archaeologists.

    By the way, for each interesting paper to come out of archaeology, there are hundreds that are soul-numbingly boring. This is also why archaeologists are fun to hang around with -- they drink a lot.

    —Mr Smith Read Mr Smith's other letters

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