Archaeology

“If you want to be a good archeologist, you gotta get out of the library.”

-Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Advantages in the Field of Archaeology

● Diverse Job Opportunities○ Lab Work○ Field Work○ Research

● Develop Diverse Skills○ Analytical Skills○ Critical Thinking○ Investigative Skills

● Variable Pay○ In 2012, highest paid workers in the

Archaeological Field earned more than $91,140 (BLSArch)

● Travel!○ Archaeologists are present on almost

every continent which means plenty of places to work

● Choice between Office Job or Field Work

● Office Job ○ Stability○ Cleanliness ○ No hard labor○ Mobility

● Field Work○ This job is physical!!!○ Spend plenty of time outside○ Meet new people, see new places○ Experience new cultures

● Discover the unknown

Disadvantages of The Field of ArcheologyPrivate Archaeological Firms:

● Easier entry● Hard labor

○ Digging○ A lot of walking

● Harsh environments● Interesting people

Disadvantages of The Field of Archeology cont.Academics:

● High education levels required

● Competitive● Difficult to enter into

without extensive research experience

● Varying salaries

Disadvantages of The Field of Archeology cont.Government:

● Very few job opportunities make the environment highly competitive

● BLM in Utah only keeps one full time Archaeologist

● Masters & PHDs required.

Requirements● Graduate programs and entry-level CRM work

require a bachelors degree in anthropology or archaeology

● Higher level jobs may require graduate education and focused research

● Knowledge of federal and state law on archaeology/environmental protections

● Willingness to travel

Skills That Will Set You Apart● GIS (Geographic Information Systems)● Lab Methods:

○ Osteology○ Palynology○ Chemical Analysis

● Knowledge in Associated Fields: Geology, Geography, History, Biology, Sociology, Statistics, etc.

Career Opportunities in Archaeology

Heritage Management:

● Parks/Public lands/Heritage Sites● Preservation Planning

○ Local○ State○ National○ International

In the Field

In the LabLab Specialists:

● BA or MA level○ Osteologist ○ Stable isotope analyst ○ Ceramic analyst○ Lithic analyst○ Materials conservator

In Museums ● Museum Curator● Labeling● Exhibition Development● Academic Studies

In the World of TechInformation-Based Specialists:

● Computer Based artifact and site imaging● GIS: Geographic-Information Systems for sites

○ Allows researchers to visualize and analyze topographical data in relation to archaeology