Expert: Ralph Salier - 11/26/2010

Question
Hello!

I would like to ask if it's possible to combine archaeology and conservation. I would like to specialize in both but I don't know how. Should I first do a bachelor degree in archaeology and then conservation or what?

Thank you in advance!


Answer
Hi Anamaria,

When you say conservation, I assume you mean environmental conservation.  The answer is yes, it is very possible to do both.  In fact, here in the US, most jobs in Archaeology are found with firms that also do environmental planning and conservation work.  If you find a university that has programs in both, you could do a double major and have a degree in both.  

Archaeological conservation comes in several forms:

1) preserving the property on which archaeological sites exist but are not excavated
2) doing very limited excavation of sites but using remote sensing technology to explore the site (side scan radar, magnetometer studies, satellite radar, vibratory echo studies...)
3) doing full scale excavations but only on a portion of the site and preserving  the rest.
4) a rather radical approach which is often found in river valleys that are to be damed for a water projects.  Here the sites are located and then allowed to be flooded.  The theory is that the water will preserve the sites.  While this can preserve sites, it may also damage the ability to date the sites or due to erosion may cause the loss of the site.
5) ignoring the fact that sites exist and hope for the best.  (this doesn't work well)



There is of course the more conventional conservation and that is what takes place in the lab in the effort to conserve those materials that have been excavated but I don't think this is what you are asking about.

In combination with environmental conservation there are many similarities to #1 and #2 in which the land is protected there by protecting both the archaeological resources and the natural habitat (flora and fauna) which in the long term benefits all of us.

I hope that this helps.  If you have more questions or would like assistance in finding a university that has both, please let me know and I will provide further assistance.