As nature took a turn from winter to spring, my life
too was at the turning point. After my schools studies, I too had to decide about my future. Many options were in front of me and I was in a dilemma. Which to take up and what to study, whether business management or fine arts? As the deadline approached, I ponder on this matter for a very long time. Still I couldnt find an inspiring branch of study. One day after reading an article on the archaeological studies about ancient Greece, I had a thought about taking archaeology as my subject. Learning that about 20km from where I was staying there was an archeological professor, I set out to meet him one day early morning.
On the way I had to cross a graveyard. As I was
planning to study archaeology, just for checking my instincts about archaeology I observed a grave. To my surprise there was an inscription on the grave. It was muddy. I cleared it with great difficulty and look at it closely. It resembled the numeric twelve. I couldnt make anything out of that. Still encouraged by the thought that I could find an inscription on a grave, I continued my journey. I finally reached the professors house. The house was vast so was its contents; it had sculptures of Greece to contents of pyramids in Egypt. I waited for the professor in the study. From the family photo which was placed at the table, I understood that professor have a little son of age around five. Professor was busy with some of his paper work so I had to wait a long time to see him. He was an energetic middle aged man.
Sir, I just completed my school studies; I was
hoping to get some advice from you about taking archaeology as my subject of further study
Oh! Thats good, Youth of today are not that all
interested in archaeology. Im happy to understand that some of them still have the taste for this incredible subject
I am by instinct interested in archaeology. For
instance, today morning on my journey to here, I found a strange inscription on a grave. It resembles greatly the numeric twelve.
Oh! Thats strange .Usually inscriptions on grave
describe the dead entombed in it, their social status etc. In archaeological studies study of graveyards has supreme importance. But I still dont understand about the numeric twelve.
Yeah I too felt it quite extraordinary
Actually there is a lot of interesting concepts or
events about archeology. Archaeology, the scientific study of past human culture and behavior, from the origins of humans to the present. Archaeology studies past human behavior through the examination of material remains of previous human societies. These remains include the fossils (preserved bones) of humans, food remains, the ruins of buildings, and human artifactsitems such as tools, pottery, and jewelry. From their studies, archaeologists attempt to reconstruct past ways of life
There are something very interesting in
archeology about twelve too
Sir! Could you kindly say it all?
Seeing your interest I will say some. Twelve
Tables is one of earliest code of Roman law. It was formalized in 451-450 bc from existing oral law by ten magistrates, called decemvirs, and inscribed on tablets of bronze or wood, which were posted in the principal Roman Forum. According to tradition, the code was drawn up to appease the plebs, who maintained that their liberties were not adequately protected by the unwritten law as interpreted by patrician judges. Originally ten tablets of laws were inscribed; two more tablets were added the following year. The tablets were destroyed in the sack of Rome by the Gauls in 390 BC, but a number of the laws are known through references in later Latin literature. The Twelve Tables covered all categories of the law and also included specific penalties for various infractions. The code underwent frequent changes but remained in effect for almost 1000 years
Twelver, in Islam is member of the main Shia sect,
which believes that the 12th imam (Islamic leader) did not die in 880, but is waiting to return toward the end of the world as the Mahdi ("rightly guided one") to establish a reign of peace and justice on earth. A smaller sect of Shia Muslims, the Ismailis, recognize seven imams and are called Seveners.
Sir I never knew archeology was such a vast
subject and its reach was in art forms such as music. So in a way we can say archeology deals with everything in this world ranging from fossils to the very art of music and entertainment.
Oh!! My dear fellow you are going to be wonder
struck by the range of studies and research provided by the single branch of archeology
Suddenly telephone bell rings in the interior of
professors house. He goes into attend it. I still was wondering about mind doing the right suggestion by taking archeology. Then I heard a small voice behind me.
On turning behind I came face to face with a boy. I
guessed the child to be professors son. He was walking in a dreamy sort of way muttering to himself.
I said hai son what are you muttering?
The child froze in mid way and gazed around to find the source of voice. On spotting me he smiled and came and sat down by my side. We chatted about his school for sometime. After sometime I repeated my question.
He said with nervousness in face uncle [by that
time we were close and he called me uncle despite of my young age] last day, Kevin and Fred who were in my class left the school as their daddies got a job at a distant place
So you are desprate because they left?
No uncle before last day I was number 12 in
class, but after Fred and Kevin gone, I am now number 10 and I dont know how to write it. Last time when my number changed I had to look everywhere to find it and at last I found it and had to write in gravestones to make it byheart. Now can u teach how to right 10? I see you have a pen in your pocket.
The child told this words as in a rapid fire. It took
some time to me to digest it all. After it I just took my pen scrawled a 10 at the paper in front of me. Then I said bye to my dear friend who had indeed taught me a lesson.
After a month I was walking through the same
street nervous about my human relations exam next day. Once I thought archeology was the best subject now I understood relations between humans is of supreme importance. Then suddenly my dear friend ran to me from behind. We walked along side till the grave, which now had a dusty 10.