Archaeologist Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an archaeologist. Feel free to use our archaeologist job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an archaeologist.
Who is an Archaeologist?
Archeologists reconstruct and interpret past societies and their histories. Archaeologists usually specialize in a certain area. In classical archeology, they deal with Mediterranean cultures from prehistory to late antiquity. In central European archeology (prehistory and early history, medieval and modern archaeology), they research different regions and epochs. The tasks are comparable in all areas of activity.
Archaeological prospecting is used to locate archaeological sites accurately but without excavation. To do this, archaeologists use methods such as field inspections, source evaluations, geophysical methods (geomagnetic, geoelectric, georadar), and high-resolution airborne radar images. Archaeologists map and record the sites so that targeted excavations can be carried out for construction projects or research purposes or other measures can be taken.
Archaeologists use the data from soil probing and prospecting to plan research or rescue excavations. They work closely with experts such as excavation technicians, restorers, natural scientists, and art historians. They direct the work and participate in the recovery and documentation of building remains, remains of vessels, jewelry, textiles, tools, weapons, animals, and human bones. The terrain is removed layer by layer. The building remains are mostly measured, recorded, and photographed with the help of computer programs. In excavation diaries, the archaeologists describe the excavation steps, finds, and locations. The excavation documentation serves as the basis for site maps and three-dimensional reconstructions.
Evaluation, dating, and interpretation of the findings are particularly important. Archaeologists classify them in systematics and examine them in the laboratory using complex procedures. This allows them to trace the origins of their findings, determine their purpose and reconstruct their shape. The relative position of objects to each other and to building remains enables them to make statements about activities and processes in the excavated area.
Archaeologists are also responsible for imparting knowledge. They create information materials and scientific publications, archive excavation results, and prepare exhibitions.
The majority belief is that the work of archaeologists corresponds to what is shown in the movies, that is, that they dig in ancient pits and temples while trying to escape from giant rocks, but, in reality, the work of these professionals includes the study of ancient civilizations, which involves taking measurements, excavating, collecting samples, and analyzing data. However, the vast majority of the work of an archaeologist is done indoors, since they spend most of their time searching for historical information in textbooks and analyzing the artifacts found in museums and laboratories.
An archaeologist requires extensive knowledge in other disciplines and fields of study, such as Human History, Art History, Ethnology, Geography, Geology, Linguistics, among others. Likewise, as occurs with most industries, Archeology comprises various specialties. In this sense, some archaeologists choose to dedicate themselves to the study of certain geographical places or specific chronological periods. For example, prehistoric, medieval or Western archaeology.
Archaeologist Job Description
Below are the archaeologist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an archaeologist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an archaeologist include the following:
- Investigating and surveying historical sites of ancient societies and cultures:
- Collecting historical artifacts following established procedures, using special tools for handling and preservation, such as duly identified plastic bags, brushes, and special containers or containers.
- Marking artifacts to identify the exact location of your findings
- Studying the objects and structures found and recovered in the excavation and survey places for their identification, detailed information, and authentication.
- Describing the physical characteristics, properties, and attributes of artifacts, such as the materials with which they were made, their shape, size, and function.
- Recording the exact conditions in which they were found and their location, using drawings or photographs.
- Comparing findings from one location with those from another to determine possible connections, similarities, and differences.
- Cleaning, restoring and preserving artifacts.
- Preparing maps and topographic records of historical places.
- Examining and analyzing the artifacts recovered through excavations and their information:
- Establishing theories about the origin and development of ancient cultures.
- Creating typologies of artifacts and organization systems for a better study, analysis, and understanding of past cultures.
- Interpreting and documenting the lifestyles of ancient cultures, their activities, characteristics, and traditions.
- Conducting historical research and inquiring about a location for future excavations:
- Consulting site reports, artifact finds, and topographic maps to identify and locate archaeological sites.
- Gathering information from books, ancient texts, and popular culture.
- Studying and analyzing the recovered artifacts in search of clues that lead to the discovery of other archaeological sites.
- Communicating with colleagues and other researchers:
- Consulting with historians, geologists, anthropologists, and paleontologists to complement and contribute with their scientific findings.
- Writing, documenting, and presenting their discoveries through papers, conferences, symposiums, among others, to their colleagues or other members of the scientific community and the general public.
- Teaching archaeological theories and practices to university students:
- Instructing students in social sciences or human studies.
- Leading excavations with students, team members, and volunteers.
- Training the team in terms of excavations, evidence collection, and preservation techniques.
- Conducting real digs and other science activities with students.
- Assisting and advising governments on the conservation of archaeological sites, recommending methods of preservation, resource management, and reduction of environmental impact:
- Inspecting the conditions of the archaeological sites.
Others are:
- Identification of potential excavation site locations
To do this, they analyze aerial photographs, geographic data, and historical records. They can use information from satellites and soil surveys to pinpoint the location. Once an area has been identified, they carry out surface studies to delimit the excavation area.
- Monitoring and documentation of findings
During the excavation works, they supervise the works, to reduce the possibilities of damage to the archaeological remains that may exist. They identify and document the elements of the excavation, with a detailed record of the elements found.
- Analysis of data
The remains found in the archaeological site are analyzed and dated. Hypotheses are formulated about its origin and conclusions are drawn about patterns of behavior and culture of civilization. This may lead to new excavations and investigations to corroborate the theories.
- Preparation of simulations
They run computer simulations to recreate what life was like at the dig site. They seek to rebuild historic structures and civilization. They also write reports or academic papers that they present to the instances of historical preservation and heritage.
- Carrying out impact assessments
Archaeologists must carry out impact assessments, determining the urban limitations of the surrounding areas. The objective of this is to avoid negative impacts on the archaeological finds that could put the site at risk.
- Work in a coordinated manner
They do this with other professionals in the sector, such as excavation specialists or surveyors. In addition, they can make use of aerial photos or techniques known in geophysics for the identification of archaeological sites.
Qualifications
To be able to carry out work as an archaeologist and historian in excavations, you must have a degree in archaeology, or careers in Anthropology, History, and Geography. Without the need for a degree in archaeology, art, or history, you can take very interesting online or face-to-face archeology expert courses.
There is also a university degree itself, which is four years and in which you will learn a little of everything that we have just mentioned, plus topography and other knowledge.
You have several interesting public options such as the University of Seville, the Complutense University of Madrid, and the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
It pays to specialize with master’s and postgraduate degrees in archaeology, internships at sites and excavations, and attend conferences and events.
Essential Skills
An archaeologist’s job requires a combination of technical skills, physical conditions, and personality characteristics. The proportion of each of these areas varies depending on the type of specialty field. Thus, for example, for fieldwork, physical skills will be more important than for teaching activities. The main skills needed to work as an archaeologist are:
- Physical aptitude
To work in an excavation requires agility. The terrain can be unstable and sometimes you will have to go through caves, climb or stay crouched digging for hours. The access to the archaeological sites can be overgrown and it will be necessary to clear the land to proceed. It is a physically demanding job.
- Attention to details
The archaeologist must pay attention to all the details and be able to relate data and finds. To be able to reach conclusions and classify the findings requires agile thinking. This applies to both fieldwork and laboratory analysis.
- Communication
In an excavation, the entire team must be very well coordinated to avoid accidents or damage to the archaeological remains. The ability to communicate is key to being able to align. Likewise, those who are dedicated to teaching or dissemination must have communication skills to transmit their knowledge.
- Historical knowledge
To analyze the findings and classify them correctly, the archaeologist must have extensive historical knowledge. This will allow you to accurately determine their origin and the historical period to which they correspond. It will also help you to identify its uses, based on the customs and technologies of the time. Historical context is of paramount importance in formulating hypotheses about cultures and human behavior.
- Curiosity and investigative spirit
The archaeologist must have a thirst for knowledge. He must be eager to discover new clues that allow him to delve into the history of mankind. Consequently, a natural inclination to search for information and research is required.
- Leadership
As supervisors of excavation, the archaeologist will have to assume the leadership of the team. Also as a teacher or researcher, the professional must be able to take charge and direct the project. Leadership skills combined with communication skills will facilitate team management and the achievement of successful results.
- Teamwork
The work of an archaeologist is normally carried out in a team. You need other technicians or support staff to be able to carry out the investigations.
- Technological knowledge
Archaeologists use various technologies to carry out their work. From satellite maps and tracking devices to sophisticated laboratory equipment. Digital tools have facilitated the identification of archaeological zones and the analysis of the findings.
How to Become an Archaeologist
As is the case in most professions, to be a good archaeologist and work in the field of this science, it is necessary to have prior training. There is no other option to dedicate yourself to archeology than to take a University Degree with the compulsory subjects and internships.
The work carried out by an archaeologist consists of the study of the past taken as a reference. To do this, professionals must obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, take courses, or even a master’s degree to specialize in the specific subjects to which they are going to dedicate themselves professionally.
Keep in mind that archaeologists analyze the bones, teeth, tools, or ceramics found in the deposits. Once they obtain these elements, they have to identify them, document them, and continue investigating for a while to form an idea of the organization of ancient civilizations.
Where to Work
Although some archaeologists work in a typical office environment, some work in laboratories or the field. Fieldwork sometimes requires workers to travel. Most work full time during office hours.
Archaeologists work for research organizations, colleges and universities, museums, consulting firms, private corporations, and at all levels of government.
Other places where they can work is:
- Excavations
Supervising and analyzing the findings. Keep in mind that an archaeologist can work anywhere in the world. You can apply for anthropology jobs in other countries and be part of research groups.
- University teaching
In addition to class hours, generally in universities, the teaching staff is dedicated to research. They may also be invited to give national or international conferences.
- Laboratories
In the anthropology laboratories, there is a full-time staff who analyzes and investigates the findings of the excavations. This may require the handling of specialized machinery to carry out carbon tests or other examinations that allow the pieces to be dated.
- Museums
The archaeologists are in charge of verifying and cataloging the pieces of the collection. They may also handle exhibit design and the preparation of descriptive materials.
- Public Administration
Agencies in charge of heritage and conservation employ archaeologists to carry out technical tasks. They are responsible for evaluating the feasibility of projects and assigning construction permits or activities in archaeological zones. Likewise, they can be in charge of carrying out diagnostic projects on the impact or management of the archaeological heritage.
- Private companies
They can provide advisory and management services for companies interested in developing archaeological sites.
Archaeologist Salary Scale
The average annual salary for archaeologists is $63670 in the United States.
