My question is what should I be doing now if I want to be an archaeologist? Ben Broadbent (15)

I’m glad to hear that you want to be an archaeologist, Ben – even though you do like the Romans! 

As far as academic qualifications are concerned then just do the very best you can and bear in mind that history is a useful subject at A level as it teaches you the sort of research skills that will undoubtedly come in useful as an archaeologist. But apart from this I would encourage you to get involved in archaeology in whatever practical way you can. I assume that you are a member of your local YAC club, but also find out about your local archaeological societies and museums, see if they have active groups that are doing fieldwork or excavation and get some hands on experience.

Your museum may have opportunities for helping to process and catalogue finds – all very useful and may help you to decide which branch of archaeology you want to go into. We have just started a field school down here in Dorset to give people of all ages this sort of experience (www.wafa.og.uk) and you may have something similar in your part of the country.

Good luck – I expect to meet you on a dig at some time in the future!