Career as Archaeologist

In the career as an archaeologist, one performs many tasks which include developing data collection methods and systems tailored to a particular speciality or project, collecting information. An excavator obtains all such information through observations, interviews, and documents, recording and managing records of observations taken in the field via GPS/GIS and other proprietary software. These anthropologists analyse data, laboratory samples, and other sources of information to uncover patterns about human life, culture, and origins, preparing reports and presenting research findings, communicating with team leads, managers, and IT staff through regular, scheduled field status reports and presentation. It includes research findings, engaging in field survey, testing, monitoring, and data recovery, advising organizations on the cultural impact of policies, programs, and products, professional report and site form preparation, research, and literature reviews. 

Research work

They are required to study the ways in which people of the past interacted with their world. They also conduct field investigations of historic and prehistoric sites, which can take place almost anywhere in the world. The work of archaeologists provides information about the past and is essential to preservation efforts.

Management

Archaeologists are required to manage the logistics of projects at the sites, overseeing the collection of artifacts. They are responsible to analyze artifacts, conduct tests, undertake research and write reports. Archaeologists use a variety of digging and extraction techniques, from hand tools such as trowels and pick-axes to heavy machinery such as bulldozers.

Collect data

They collect data at a site by taking photographs, measurements and soil samples. They also make sketches and maps. Archaeologists are required to share information by writing and lecturing, and by serving as curators for museums and historical sites. Many archaeologists also work as professors at colleges and universities.

Use of software

Using a variety of methods, archaeologists locate suitable excavation sites, including geophysical surveys and aerial photography. Archeologists also use computer applications such as computer-aided design (CAD) and geographical information systems (GIS) to record and interpret sites and findings, and to produce simulations of how they might have looked in the past.

Archiving

Archivists assemble, catalogue, preserve and manage valuable collections of historical information. They are required to work with a wide variety of public and private sector organisations, and, once qualified, may move between a variety of organisations, roles and specialisations.

When it comes to the career as archaelogist there are several fields of archaeology present for a candidate to choose from. Popular anthropologist career types are mentioned below:

Museum Education Officer: A museum education officer is an individual who looks after the activities of a museum. Museum education is required to give lectures, give tours of the museum, conduct workshops, and other educational activities.

Documentation Specialist: As a documentation specialist the individual is required to study documents of past cultures and societies. The said individual also compiles and keeps these records in order.

Museum/ Gallery Curator: As a museum curator, one is required to be responsible for all the museum exhibits. The primary responsibility of a museum curator is to find and develop methods through which various objects of the past, archives, and art and artifacts can be interpreted.  

Heritage Manager: Heritage managers are those professionals who manage and conserve historical sites, such as buildings, forts, ancient monuments, and landscapes. They look after these sites so that the visitors can enjoy these places of historical significance. 

Historic Building Officer: A historic building officer works to the preservation of historical sites and monuments. The job role also includes promoting the conservation of places and items of historical significance.

In the career as archaeologist, candidates are employed by a span of organisations in various industries. Many of the assignments in practical archaeology are performed by independent archaeological field units or trusts. These vary in size and may be related to local authorities, museums, universities or be independent commercial organisations, trusts or charities. Hence, the excavator work environment for each one of them differs depending upon their roles and responsibilities, the projects assigned to them, the geographical area they are working at, and the industry they work for.

Does Archaeologist require travelling?

Not Likely

In the career as an archaeologist, travelling depends on the roles and responsibilities and the project of individual archaeologists. Employees whose research areas are not near where they live may be required to travel to conduct surveys, excavations, and laboratory analyses. On the other hand, many archaeologists do not travel that much. This holds true for some excavator jobs in federal and state government, museums, parks and historic sites. 

Employment Shifts

Full Time

In the career as archaeologist, candidates are typically required to work full-time. It can be confined to regular working hours, but this becomes less likely during times when an archaeologist works in the field. Fieldwork can even involve weekends, early mornings, and late evenings in an anthropologist career. Depending on the project one is working on, archaeologists might be required to work in certain shifts. The requirement of the project decides the various factors like environment details, time details, and shift details.

Employment Nature

Permanent

In the field of archaeology, you have two options: either you go for the government sector or you can go to the private sector. So, talking about the growth and salary at the initial level in the Indian government sector is way better than the private sector. You can start your anthropologist career in the government sector with the lowest profile of assistant archaeologist and that to offer a salary range of around Rs.35400 - Rs. 112400. Whereas it depends on the private sector with whom you are working. You can get a normal career start with around Rs. 10000  starting salary. But in this sector, you can grow as an excavator to how much, you never know.

Work Place

On-Field

In the career as archaeologist, one spends a lot of time researching and finding new facts about the artefacts.  These excavators spend a lot of time in the field because they have to go through excavation and analysing the ground report. Some of the archaeologists spend their time inside the labs and perform research and testing. Archaeologists also work in museums where their anthropology roles can include the identification, explanation and curation of artefacts, as well as research. They also work in teaching and research institutions performing various roles like lecturing, technician and research posts at universities with archaeology courses. Archaeologists work for archaeological societies or organisations like the CBA, CIfA and Archaeology Scotland.

Presence in Geographical Area

Rural, Semi-urban, Urban

Archaeology needs a lot of fieldwork and that may include all kinds of terrains. Sometimes they have to work on a rock field then sometimes they have to work beneath the ocean. It all depends on the kind of work an excavator is doing and the scale of the work also matters a lot. If you’re a government employee, you may be posted to any part of the country on the basis of the project assigned to you and the position of your job. The same applies to private archaeologists only that they might need to live on their own expenses.

Time Pressure

Likely

In the career as archaeologist, candidates are typically required to work full-time. It can be confined to regular working hours, but this becomes less likely during times when an archaeologist works in the field. Fieldwork can even involve weekends, early mornings, and late evenings. During situations like these, archaeologists might face some time pressure.

Overtime Details

Typically, in the career as archaeologist, candidates are required to work as per their allotted schedule. However, depending on the project one is working on, archaeologists might be required to work in certain shifts. The requirement of the project decides the various factors like environment details, time details, and shift details for anthropologists. If the project demands, they might be required to work overtime.

Weekly Hours of Work

Min 35 Hours

Many people wonder how to become an archaeologist? Apart from the education required to become an archaeologist one must possess some skills. The skills that can help an individual to make a career as archaeologist are as follows:

Creativity: When it comes to a career as archaeologist, the profession demands one to be creative and exhibit it in his or her work. The power of imagination is what one needs to succeed in this field. The ability to visualise a project, the capability to be open to new ideas or ways of looking at things, curiosity to envision the potential in a place, the ability to imagine multiple scenarios, and most importantly, the ability to think three-dimensionally. These are a few creative skills that one needs to acquire in order to become a sage Archaeologist. It is an important skill for several other careers as well like author, content writer, or a baker.

Managerial skills: In the career as archaeologist, candidates are responsible to control, plan, and manage the overall strategy while working on any project. Therefore, one must be profound in planning and managing the complete process from starting to the end. As an anthropologist, one must be able to plan and create an effective strategy, should have decision-making skills, leadership quality, problem-solving skills, should know how to manage time, how to control and motivate the team while leading them. In addition to these, one must have excellent organizational skills. An excavator should be able to allocate and manage resources for the successful implementation of the plan. It is one of the important managerial skills. It helps them to determine the list of pending tasks, combine them into jobs, and group jobs into units giving a form to the organization’s structure. It is an important skill for several other careers as well, like a manager, engineer, or doctor.

An eye for detail: When it comes to the career as archaeologists, the job requires one to be precise and detail-oriented towards the work you’re doing. This skill helps one to notice small but important details that others might not notice. It is helpful to have an eye for detail while researching for ancients. Paying attention to details is a skill that needs to be acquired and just like other skills and just like other skills for an excavator career.

Analytical skills: Having strong analytical skills is worthless if archaeologists cannot share their analysis with others. In the career as archaeologist, one must be an effective communicator who can explain the patterns that they observe in things around them. Sometimes, an excavator would be required to explain information orally in a meeting or presentation. Other times, an archaeologist might be required to write a report. Hence, lacking communication skills is non-negotiable in the field of archaeology. 

Communication skills: Being able to communicate properly will not only help the archaeologists professionally but also personally. In the career as archaeologists, communication skills are important as they need to speak appropriately with a wide variety of people whilst maintaining good eye contact. It ensures that an archaeologist is able to manage interactions and businesses and organisations. 

Empathy: In a career as archaeologist, one must incorporate planning, execution, and implementation procedures within a broader sustainability framework. An excavator job involves internalising the externalities of a project. It is the responsibility of archaeologists to keep in consideration the social aspects as well as environmental factors that are being affected because of the project. Archaeologists are in charge of finding models compatible with the essence of localities. These models are required by archaeologists to be sustainable, both environmentally and socially.  

Project management: An Archaeologist is responsible to initiate, plan, execute, and control the work of a team to achieve specific success criteria at the specified time. The primary goal in the career as an excavator is managing the project to achieve all of the project goals within the given constraints such as scope, time, budget, and quality. One must also be able to optimize the allocation of necessary inputs and apply them to meet pre-defined objectives. 

We have mentioned below certifications that individuals may opt to upgrade their skills and certifications for a career as Archaeologist.

As an excavator, you acquire various positions in the archaeology sector with experience and progress in your career. We have mentioned below the progressive job roles of archaeologist career. 

Associate Archaeologist: The roles and responsibilities of an Associate Archaeologist includes participation in cultural resource projects under the direction of senior staff and to manage small projects and supervise assigned staff. Job duties of an associate archaeologist may include participating in a survey, evaluation, data recovery, and monitoring projects in support of CRM regulatory compliance; recruiting project-based staff; analyzing artefacts and preparing cultural resource sections of environmental documents; assisting with preparation and implementation of research designs and treatment plans; writing technical reports; consulting with Native Americans; preparing proposals; and assisting with business development.

Contract Archaeologist: Contract archaeology is archaeological investigations and excavations conducted under commercial contracts, in areas endangered by exploitation and construction. Contract archaeology is also known as rescue archaeology, salvage archaeology, development-lead archaeology or commercial archaeology. In contrast to research-led excavations, contract archaeologists are required to conduct their work under very strict deadlines. The primary purpose of contract archaeology is to document ancient remains that will be destroyed or damaged due to exploitation. The purpose is also to collect and preserve archaeological findings, produce new archaeological knowledge and to mediate findings and new knowledge to the general public.

Collections Manager: Collection managers are required to manage proper object handling and for instructing/supervising other staff members, researchers, interns, and volunteers on proper procedures. They are also required to monitor the condition and environment of objects in storage and on exhibit, rotating sensitive objects off exhibit as needed.

Cultural Resources Specialist: Cultural Resources Specialists are required to do this is typically a full-time job. It can be confined to regular business hours, but this becomes less likely during times when an archaeologist works in the field. Fieldwork can involve weekends, early mornings, and late evenings, project studies and surveys, construction monitoring, archaeological excavation, and associated fieldwork. This also includes overseeing the collection of field data, artifact identification, GPS data collection and the preparation of technical reports for multi-disciplined projects in a variety of locations. They also manage field investigations, field surveys, and project studies for the presence of cultural resources which includes conducting construction monitoring activities, archaeological excavation, artifact identification, and other various project-related activities.

Historic Preservation Officer:  The Historic Preservation Officer is a person who is responsible for enforcing the historic preservation ordinance, and for providing staff assistance in the implementation of the policies, goals, and programs of the Historic Preservation Commission. The officer is also responsible to perform administrative acts required by the Historic Preservation Ordinance, including giving notice, researching background material, preparing reports and recommendations, and receiving and processing appeals. The roles and responsibilities of historic preservation officer include developing, recommending, implementing, and evaluating city policy related to historic preservation, and providing technical, architectural, design, historical, and policy guidance to staff, governmental officials, other city departments, boards and commissions, and regional, state, and national preservation agencies. 

The officer is also required to define and review the issues of historic preservation as they relate to the city, develop alternative solutions to problems, evaluate special programs and city-sponsored projects, and work with the private sector and local, state, and national organizations. Direct supervision is exercised by the officer over the classifications of Historic Preservation Planner, Lead Historic Preservation Planner, Secretary II, and Planner III. The Officer itself works under the general supervision of a Deputy Planning Director.

Archaeological Field Director: Archeological field director is the head of the archaeology department is responsible to handle each and every domain respectively. As an archaeological field director one oversees and directs multiple archaeological field crews in locating, collecting, recording, and interpreting data for survey and excavation projects and also supervises personnel which typically includes recommendations for hiring, firing, performance evaluation, training, work allocation, and problem resolution. They are also required to Coordinate on-site logistics for archaeological projects and resolve problems to ensure the timely, safe, and effective completion of project objectives. They ensure the application of safe work practices by crew members during survey/excavation projects. They are also required to provide functional guidance and leadership to technical staff in areas of speciality, such as faunal, lithic, and/or ceramic analysis. They also assist with project planning activities, including identifying appropriate equipment, resources, and personnel needed, project budgets, and research design. 

The scope of the career as archaeologist is quite wide. Archaeology has various fields of study like archives, museology, numismatics, epigraphy. Archaeologists perform various duties like initial fieldwork, excavation of sites, and their categorization besides dating and explanation of excavated objects. Archaeologists broadly try to research the famous five W's (What, When, Why, Where and How) with respect to the formation of past cultures and civilizations. In archaeology, the area of their research is related to the cause behind the demise of such early civilizations as the Harappan Civilization in the Indian Subcontinent and the Roman civilization of Europe. 

Archaeological research is an important method available for gaining information about history and past societies. When it comes to the career as archaeologist, it is now growing and constructing its roots in different corporate bodies, too. This trend makes archaeology gratifying and at the same time, a very demanding and challenging career opportunity. Young candidates, who have analytical minds, are creative and logical in thinking, have a flair for little details, and are responsive to the arts, have a good chance to excel in this field.