Archaeology Field Jobs

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The Ins and Outs of Archaeology Field Jobs

Once you have had a taste of archaeological field work, you will know two things:

1. It is very hard work
2. It is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world

Making an important discovery that adds to the general body of archaeological knowledge is one of the most fulfilling achievements you can have in the world of science.

Of course, to be afforded the opportunity to roll up your sleeves and dip into the world of archaeological field work, you need to get a job. This lens gives you an idea of the types of job requirements you will see, the pay range, and what you can expect out in the field.

Sought-After Skill Sets & Experience

Depending upon the type and level of the field work position you are seeking, the set of required job skills and experience will vary significantly. In general, however, each of the desired skill sets will fall into one or more of the following three categories:

A. Field work
B. Lab work
C. Report writing

More specifically, you will increase your chances of being hired in the field of archaeology if you have the following skill sets:

* ability to collect data in the field
* lab experience
* computer experience
* GPS/GIS experience
* report creation
* strong verbal and written communication skills
* people management skills in some cases
* familiarity with comparative studies
* experience managing artifact inventories

Do NOT be concerned if you do not have all or even most of these skill sets. Entry-level positions often only require a small subset of these skills. Be bold and go after the position you really want.

Common Job Requirements

Exciting Finds Await YouAs with any job or career choice, archaeology field work has certain common job requirements. Needless to say, the specific requirements for each job offer will vary, but here are the most common ones:

1. B.A. in archaeology or anthropology with M.A. or Ph.D. preferred in some cases

2. Have access to your own transporation, at least to and from job site

3. Sometimes, regionally-specific experience is required

4. Strong writing skills

5. Ability to work well with other people, such as project directors, lab technicians

6. Sometimes, will need to meet U.S. Secretary of the Interior's standards for Principal Investigator

7. Willingness to work for uncommon/non-standard work periods, such as 10 days on, 4 days off

8. Willingness to travel, stay overnight for 3-4 or more weeks at a time

Typical Archaeology Positions for Hire

There are a number of official position titles in the field archaeology that involve field work. Here are some of the ones you will most likely see among job descriptions and employment offers:
  1. Artifact analyst
  2. Lab director
  3. Lab technician
  4. Project director
  5. Principal investigator
  6. Program manager

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OutdoorExplorer

Everett is a lover of all things travel, outdoors, and adventure. When he's not working as a freelance writer, he's traveling around the U.S. and beyo... more »

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