Archeologists

Career summary

#4/8/19 lh

Some archeologists do excavations, also called digs, to find artifacts and clues about how the artifacts were used. They create a grid of the site to mark where each artifact was found. They also take pictures or make drawings of how artifacts were arranged. Dig sites can be in a cave, glacier, or the ocean. Some archeologists study artifacts in private collections.

All archeologists, whether they participate in a dig or study pieces in a collection, do their analysis in a lab. They sort, measure, and categorize their findings. They compare their findings with other sites to see if there are similarities. If they find similarities, they may be able to date the artifact.

Archeologists record what they discovered and how they examined the objects. They write articles about their findings and methods.

Archeologists also manage and preserve archeological sites. Some excavation sites are field schools for students or volunteers to learn about archeology. Students can specialize in certain geographic areas, time periods, or subject matter.

Many archeologists work for the federal government or state governments, either as employees or as private consultants. Some work in colleges doing research and teaching students. Others may work in museums. All archeologists work to preserve and protect areas and artifacts for future study or appreciation.

Related careers

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Agricultural Scientists
• Anthropologists
• Archivists
• Biologists
• Chemists
• Curators
• Environmental Engineers
• Food Scientists
• Geographers
• Librarians
• University and College Teachers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to archeologists.

• Write, present, and publish research findings and how data was collected.
• Research and survey sites of past societies and cultures.
• Identify, date, and authenticate found items.
• Develop and test theories about past cultures.
• Analyze artifacts from field site or from a private collection to do research.
• Collect, measure, classify, and record data in the lab.
• Consult with other specialists, such as geologists, to learn more about the site.
• Teach archeology at colleges and universities.
• Inspect and draw or photograph findings before removal from site.
• Create a grid of the site and map of findings.
• Compare findings with other archeologist data to find similarities or differences.
• Train staff, students, and volunteers in excavation methods.

Common work activities

Archeologists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Analyze data or information
• Get information needed to do the job
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Process information
• Document and record information
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Use computers
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Think creatively
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Teach others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Develop goals and strategies
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Develop and build teams
• Schedule work and activities
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Handle and move objects
• Perform administrative tasks
• Monitor and control resources
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Coach others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Perform for or work with the public
• Evaluate information against standards

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, archeologists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium to high level of social interaction.
• Communicate by telephone, e-mail, and in person discussions on a daily basis. They also write letters and memos, but less often.
• Often speak in front of large groups of people, such as during university classes or at conferences.
• Often work as part of a team, especially on digs.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of others.

Physical work conditions

• Often work outside at digs. If not involved in excavations, they spend most of their time indoors. Indoor work sites may not be temperature controlled.
• Sometimes may be exposed to very hot or cold temperatures. For example, the dig site may be in the desert or on a glacier.
• May occasionally work close to others, usually within a few feet.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in recording information about artifacts, since they may be the only one to observe how the site was laid out.
• Make most of their decisions without consulting others.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to others first.
• Work in a competitive atmosphere where weekly and monthly deadlines must be met.
• Sometimes repeat the same physical and mental activities.

Hours/travel

• May work full time or part time.
• May work overtime to meet publishing or grant deadlines.
• May travel to attend conferences or excavations.
• May travel to remote areas and stay for long periods of time.
• Usually work an established schedule if teaching at a university.

Physical demands

Archeologists frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for archeologists to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for archeologists to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.

Skills and abilities

Archeologists need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.

Use math and science

• Use scientific methods to solve problems.
• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Archeology

Other programs of study to consider

• African Studies
• American Studies
• Anthropology
• Asian Studies
• Historic Preservation
• History
• Latin American Studies
• Native American Studies

Training

To work as an archeologist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree; and
• have a master's degree in archeology.

Education after high school

With a bachelor's degree in archeology you can work as a research assistant. In general, you need at least a master's degree to conduct research. This is the most common degree in this field, although in the future, a doctorate may become more desired. A doctoral degree (PhD) is required to lead research projects or teach at a college or university.

In archeology, you study the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations. You also learn to work at archeological sites.

Work experience

After completing a doctoral degree, some archeologists work as postdoctoral fellows (postdocs). These university positions last for several years. Postdocs get extensive field experience that can lead to a research or teaching job at a university.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements . Archeologists use advanced math. Try to take math through Trigonometry.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anthropology
• Foreign Language
• Geography
• Western Civilization
• World Cultures
• World History

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers at universities prefer to hire archeologists with a doctoral degree (PhD). Some community colleges may hire graduates with a master's degree. These colleges may be in more rural areas where it is difficult to hire someone with a doctoral degree. Universities choose candidates based on their area of research and the quality of their published articles.

Archeologists need a wide variety of skills for their job. They need to have patience, since finding clues may take years. They also need skills to preserve excavation sites, such as photography, art, engineering, or surveying. When working with students or staff at excavation sites, they may need skills in hiring, solving staff issues, and first aid. Employers hiring archeologists in museums may look for management and public relations skills.

Costs to workers

Workers must pay for association dues, travel, reference books and journals, and college classes, conferences, and seminars to keep up with changes in the field.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Archeologists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

#In Washington, the average entry-level wage for anthropologists and archeologists is $4,199 per month ($24.23 per hour).

#Updated ES wage info 07.16 sd

#Working for the State of Washington, a person in the position of state archeologist earns between $3,934 and $5,290 per month.

#DOP wage, range 55, updated 7/30/13 lh; updated 08.15 sd

Social scientists tend to make more when they work for the federal government than when they work for a state government agency. In general, the more experience and education archeologists have, the more money they earn. Some areas of the country pay more than others, but this depends on the cost of living in that area.

Full-time archeologists often receive benefits. Typical benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

National wage information is not available specifically for archeologists. However, they are part of the larger group of "anthropologists and archeologists." These figures do not include archeologists who teach at colleges and universities.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Research and testing firms
• Federal and state government agencies
• Management, scientific, and technical consulting services

National outlook

Job growth is expected to be faster than average for archeologists. Most new jobs for archeologists will be in management, consulting, and research. As construction projects increase, more archeologists will be needed to monitor the work to ensure that artifacts are preserved and handled properly. Competition for jobs is expected to be strong due to the small number of positions. Those with advanced degrees will have the most opportunities.

Employment and outlook information is not available specifically for archeologists. However, they are part of the larger group of "anthropologists and archeologists." These figures do not include archeologists who teach at colleges and universities.

Other resources

American Association of Anatomists 
6120 Executive Boulevard, Suite 725
Rockville, MD 20852
301.634.7910

Archaeological Institute of America 
44 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02215

Engineering & Science Career Videos 

Environmental Career Center 
P.O. Box 3387
Hampton, Virginia 23663

International Council of Archaeozoology 

Society for American Archaeology 
1111 - 14th Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
202.789.8200

References

Career cluster

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Archeologists (19-3091.02) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupation

• Archeologist (055.067-018) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Investigative/Realistic/Artistic

COPSystem

• Science Professional