It is to me, why?

It is to me and what I wouldn't give just to touch the pyramids. Who knows , maybe some day I will.

Nah. Interest in archaeology is ancient history. Gotta get with the present.

1) "Early archaeology was largely an attempt to uncover spectacular artifacts and features, or to explore vast and mysterious abandoned cities. Such pursuits continue to fascinate the public. Books, films, and video games, such as King Solomon's Mines, The Mummy, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Tomb Raider all testify to the public's interest in the discovery aspect of archaeology. Much thorough and productive research has indeed been conducted in dramatic locales such as Copán and the Valley of the Kings, but the bulk of activities and finds of modern archaeology are not so sensational. Archaeological adventure stories tend to ignore the painstaking work involved in carrying out modern survey, excavation, and data processing. Some archaeologists refer to such portrayals as "pseudoarchaeology". Archaeology has been portrayed in the mainstream media in sensational ways. This has its advantages and disadvantages. Many practitioners point to the childhood excitement of Indiana Jones films and Tomb Raider games as the inspiration for them to enter the field. Archaeologists are also very much reliant on public support, the question of exactly who they are doing their work for is often discussed. Without a strong public interest in the subject, often sparked by significant finds and celebrity archaeologists, it would be a great deal harder for archaeologists to gain the political and financial support they require." "The goals of archaeology vary, and there is debate as to what its aims and responsibilities are. Some goals include the documentation and explanation of the origins and development of human cultures, understanding culture history, chronicling cultural evolution, and studying human behavior and ecology, for both prehistoric and historic societies. Archaeologists are also concerned with the study of methods used in the discipline, and the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings underlying the questions archaeologists ask of the past. The tasks of surveying areas in order to find new sites, excavating sites in order to recover cultural remains, classification, analysis, and preservation are all important phases of the archaeological process. These are all important sources of information. Given the broad scope of the discipline there is a great deal of cross-disciplinary research in archaeology. It draws upon anthropology, history, art history, classics, ethnology, geography, geology, physics, information sciences, chemistry, statistics, paleoecology, paleontology, paleozoology, paleoethnobotany, paleobotany." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archeology ------------- ADDED ------------------- 2) I have always had a personal interest in archaeology and often visit archaeological sites or museums if there are some in the places that I visit. I visited many places just because I wanted to experience the vestiges of their ancient culture, such as Italy and Egypt. I went also to interesting archaeological sites or museums in France, Britain, Germany or Spain, for instance. But I don't just concentrate on ancient history because I also want to know how the people live there today and how is their living culture. I have also some interest in religion and mythology, and also in languages. My username is the name of an Egyptian goddess and my avatar image comes from the ancient persian iconography, I think this could also speak for my interest in the field. However, I don't practice archeology myself, but I answered some questions in related categories on Answerbag, so I made some "indirect research" in that field...

Given the viewing figures of Time Team I would say that loads of people find it fascinating.

I love learning about the past and other cultures, how they lived, what things meant to them. IT's like a puzzle but centered all around real people. It's fascinating. OH, to find some lost city or culture in the desert or jungles and bring it to light!!!

I love "digging in the dirt".

My friend was finishing his junior year in college as a physics major, when he decided that he wanted to drop physics, move to Egypt, and study archeology. His parents ended up talking him out of it, but he was really thinking about it. So i guess, yes there are people that are still interested in archeology.

Yes. It holds a certain fascination for me.

Certainly Yes. Archeological findings are the foundation for our civilization.