What Do Archeologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Archeologists conduct research to reconstruct record of past human life and culture from human remains, artifacts, architectural features, and structures recovered through excavation, underwater recovery, or other means of discovery. They also study objects and structures recovered by excavation to identify, date, and authenticate them and to interpret their significance.

Other tasks include:

• Research, survey, or assess sites of past societies and cultures in search of answers to specific research questions.
• Write, present, and publish reports that record site history, methodology, and artifact analysis results, along with recommendations for conserving and interpreting findings.
• Describe artifacts’ physical properties or attributes, such as the materials from which artifacts are made and their size, shape, function, and decoration.
• Present findings from archeological research to peers and the general public.
• Compare findings from one site with archeological data from other sites to find similarities or differences.
• Record the exact locations and conditions of artifacts uncovered in diggings or surveys, using drawings and photographs as necessary.

We asked Archeologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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66% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 51% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Archeologists teach archeology at colleges and universities. They study objects and structures recovered by excavation to identify, date, and authenticate them and to interpret their significance.

A typical day for an Archeologist will also include:

• Research, survey, or assess sites of past societies and cultures in search of answers to specific research questions.
• Compare findings from one site with archeological data from other sites to find similarities or differences.
• Describe artifacts’ physical properties or attributes, such as the materials from which artifacts are made and their size, shape, function, and decoration.
• Develop and test theories concerning the origin and development of past cultures.
• Write, present, and publish reports that record site history, methodology, and artifact analysis results, along with recommendations for conserving and interpreting findings.

We asked some Archeologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	33% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	42% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	64% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	9% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	18% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Archeologists also research, survey, or assess sites of past societies and cultures in search of answers to specific research questions. They may also describe artifacts’ physical properties or attributes, such as the materials from which artifacts are made and their size, shape, function, and decoration.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Archeologists Consult site reports, existing artifacts, and topographic maps to identify archeological sites. They might also Teach archeology at colleges and universities.

In addition, they Study objects and structures recovered by excavation to identify, date, and authenticate them and to interpret their significance.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Present findings from archeological research to peers and the general public.

To some Archeologists, it is also their responsibility to Compare findings from one site with archeological data from other sites to find similarities or differences.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as an Archeologist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/life-physical-and-social-science/anthropologists-and-archeologists.htm

http://www.aaanet.org/

http://www.archaeological.org/

http://www.physanth.org/