I first became interested in archaeology when I picked up a book about ancient Mayan culture. I have been learning about it ever since.
	I am especially interested in the archaeology of North and South America. I want to know more about cliff dwellings. It's important to make sure that sites stay undisturbed because when looters come in, they take things that could tell archaeologists a lot about the culture.
	One of my friends, Dr. John Welch, an archaeologist, took me on a rafting trip. We went through a National Park wilderness area where we were able to visit unexcavated sites. He showed me pottery pieces. And, he took me to a place high up on a cliff where the Native Americans would go to escape when their village was under attack by other tribes.
	When I grow up I think that I may want to become an archaeologist because I love the mystery behind archaeology. Artifacts may change theories that have been written, or may completely change the way we view the past.