Archaeologist Career Guide

What is an archaeologist?

An archaeologist digs up old stuff to learn about people from a long time ago. They look at old objects, buildings, and areas to figure out how ancient civilizations lived. Their job is super important for understanding and saving history for us and future generations.

Duties and responsibilities

• Digging and exploring: They dig up and study old things like tools, bones, and parts of buildings.
• Working in a lab: They take what they find back to a lab to look at it more closely and figure out what it tells us.
• Sharing what they find: They write about their discoveries and sometimes teach about them in universities or talk about them in public lectures.
• Protecting history: They work to keep important old sites safe from being destroyed.

Work environment

A lot of their job is done outside where they dig, whether in cities or far-off places. It’s exciting but can also be tough, especially when the weather is bad or the place is hard to live in.

They also spend time indoors, like in labs where they test their findings or in museums where they set up exhibits. They will write reports and plan their next digs.

Typical work hours

Archaeologists have different work hours based on what they are doing. When they are on a dig, they might work a lot, even on weekends, to get as much done while they can, especially if the site might get damaged by buildings or nature. When not digging, they usually work normal hours, doing research, writing, or teaching.

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How to become an archaeologist

Want to dig into the past as an archaeologist? Here’s a simple guide to get you started on this exciting career path:

Step 1: Get a bachelor’s degree

Start by getting a degree in archaeology, anthropology, or history. You’ll learn the basics of human history and how to handle old artifacts.

Step 2: Dig in

While studying, join field schools or internships to get real digging experience. This is crucial for learning how to handle ancient objects and sites.

Step 3: Go for a master’s degree

After your bachelor’s, go for a master’s degree. You can choose a specific part of archaeology that interests you, like studying old bones (archaeobiology) or underwater sites.

Step 4: Get more experience

Once you’ve got your degrees, it’s helpful to work on more digs or conservation projects. This experience is essential, especially if you want to work outside of schools and universities.

Step 5: Aim for a Ph.D.

If you want to be a top-notch archaeologist or a professor, you’ll need a Ph.D. You’ll be involved in deep research and writing a big paper called a dissertation.

Step 6: Share your discoveries

It’s important to write about what you discover and talk about it at conferences. This helps you get known in the archaeology world.

Step 7: Apply for jobs

Now, you’re ready to apply for jobs at places like museums, historical societies, or universities.

Step 8: Never stop learning

Archaeology keeps changing as new tech and ideas come up. Keep learning through online courses to stay sharp and up-to-date.

Some cool courses to check out:

• Coursera’s Recovering the Humankind’s Past teaches about saving historical treasures.
• Roman Art and Archaeology helps you explore ancient Rome’s art and history.
• Dive into the Wonders of Ancient Egypt to unravel Egypt’s mysteries.
• Origins of the Mediterranean Civilization offers insights into what’s buried beneath the Mediterranean lands.

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How much do archaeologists make?

Compensation for archaeologists varies by experience, industry, education, location, and organization size. Additional factors impacting their pay include specialization and whether they work for private corporations or public institutions.

Highest paying industries

• Federal Executive Branch: $73,480
• Architectural and Engineering Services – $66,230
• Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: $63,500
• Scientific Research and Development Services: $62,290
• Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: $60,730

Browse archaeologist salary data by market

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Types of archaeologists

Archaeologists don’t just work in dusty old ruins. Here are some cool types of archaeology jobs you might not know about:

• Field archaeologist: Think of these guys as the classic adventurers, often seen wearing hats and covered in dirt. They spend lots of time outside, digging up old sites and finding cool stuff like pottery and bones. 
• Environmental archaeologist: These archaeologists look at how old societies used to live with their environment. They study old plant bits, animal bones, and even the dirt and water to see how climate and nature affected ancient people.
• Underwater archaeologist: Love swimming and old mysteries? Underwater archaeologists dive into lakes and oceans to explore stuff like sunken ships and underwater ruins. 
• Ethnoarchaeologist: These archaeologists are a bit like time travelers. They learn from people living today to understand how ancient people might have lived. 
• Experimental archaeologist: Ever wondered how ancient people made their tools or buildings? Experimental archaeologists try to figure it out by making things the old-fashioned way. 
• Digital archaeologist: These are the tech-savvy archaeologists. They use cool gadgets and computer programs to map digs and create 3D models of ancient sites, bringing the old worlds to our screens.

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Top skills for archaeologists

• Analytical skills: Archaeologists are like detectives for history. They look at clues from the ground, old photos, or maps and figure out the story behind them. 
• Attention to detail: When dealing with ancient objects, even the tiniest piece can tell a big story. They need to be really careful to notice every little detail and keep good notes on everything they find.
• Physical stamina: A lot of archaeology happens outside, digging in the dirt under the sun or walking a lot to explore new sites. You need to be pretty fit and ready for some hands-on action.
• Communication skills: They must be skilled at sharing information clearly and interestingly, whether writing reports, giving talks, or explaining cool finds to others.
• Critical thinking: Archaeologists often have to make sense of complicated and incomplete pieces of history. They need to think critically, question what they see, and be ready to challenge old ideas with new evidence.
• Scientific knowledge: Understanding science is critical because archaeology uses a lot of scientific methods, from figuring out how old something is (dating techniques) to analyzing data with statistics.

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Archaeologist career path options

If you’re thinking about becoming an archaeologist, there are lots of different jobs you can do once you’ve got the right skills. Here’s a look at some cool career options:

Cultural resource management (CRM) 

If you like the idea of protecting history, this could be for you. CRM specialists make sure new buildings or projects don’t destroy important historical sites. They use their digging experience and knowledge of laws to help keep old and important places safe.

Museum work 

Love showing things off? Museum jobs like being a curator, collection manager, or exhibit designer might be perfect. These roles involve organizing and looking after historical items, researching them, and setting up incredible displays that teach people about the past.

University teaching and research 

If you enjoy school and learning, you might want to teach at a university. Professors not only teach but also do their own research, write about their findings, and get grants to help with their studies. Or, if you really like digging deep into history, you could focus on just doing research.

Lab work 

For those who are good with details and love solving puzzles, working in a lab could be the right fit. Lab directors or specialists spend a lot of time looking at artifacts up close, figuring out what they are, and helping field teams understand what they find during digs.

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Similar job titles

• Environmental Scientist
• Geologist
• Geotechnical Engineer
• GIS Specialist
• Marine Biologist
• Paleontologist
• Professor
• Research Scientist
• Soil Technician

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Archaeologist position trends and outlook

• Going digital: Archaeology isn’t just about digging anymore; it’s also about being good with technology. More and more, archaeologists use cool tech like 3D imaging and GIS (that’s a system for mapping things) to look at old sites from their computers. 
• Public archaeology: Nowadays, these scientists are not just working with old things; they’re also working with people. There’s a big push to get everyone, like you and me, interested in archaeology. 

Employment projections

If you’re thinking about becoming an archaeologist, good news: jobs in this field are expected to grow by 6% through 2031, which is pretty fast. This growth is because we’re getting more and more interested in protecting our environment and preserving history, and we need archaeologists to help with that.

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Archaeologist career tips

Know your job

Being an archaeologist is more than just digging up old stuff; it’s about loving history and paying attention to tiny details. You need to really care about the stories behind your finds because your work helps us all understand our history better.

Get out there and dig

You need to get your hands dirty. Try to join as many digs as you can. This hands-on work is crucial because it helps you learn how to handle real artifacts and figure out if this is the right job for you.

Learn all the tools and tricks

Archaeology isn’t just about shovels and brushes anymore. Learn to use new tools and tech like mapping software and digital archives. Knowing more about the latest tech will definitely make you stand out.

Build your network

Making friends in archaeology can help you a lot. You can learn new things, find out about cool digs, and get advice. Here are some groups to check out:

• The Society for American Archaeology (SAA)
• The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA)
• The World Archaeological Congress (WAC)
• The Archaeological Society of British Columbia (ASBC)

Keep learning

Archaeology changes all the time because new things are always being discovered. Keep up by going to talks, reading up on the latest research, and taking extra courses in things like history or science.

Be a good archaeologist

Remember to always follow the rules when it comes to digging and handling artifacts. Being responsible and ethical is super important because it helps protect history so that others can learn from it too.

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FAQs