Expert: Ralph Salier - 3/20/2005

Question
Hi, I have a question
I'm really interested in archaeology jobs, but currently I am taking environemtal sciences in college.  I am planning on trasferring to university to study archaeology.  Is there anything common between envirormental studies and archaeology.
Is it hard to find a job as an archaeologist?
Thank you for your patience
sincerely
kate p.

Answer
Hi Kate,

There are a fair number of jobs in archaeology.  Most are for a field season but some are full  time with benes.  These are very compeititive however.  I strongly recommend that you find out what the requirements are for these and make sure that you have these areas covered.  These are through knowledge of the various laws, both federal and state as well as the required certifications required.  Each state is different. so the broader your knowledge base the better.  Many of these companies and consulting outfits looks for some level of regional knowledge so if you can, dig in the southwest, west, east coast and mid west during summer digging jobs.  

Are there things in common between enviro studies and archaeology, yes!  Much of what is being looked at in an archaeological setting is just that.  What were the environmental conditions existing at the time of habitation of the site.  Pollen samples, snail samples, wood (charcoal) samples, food resources from bone to chared nuts etc... are all key elements in the study of the environmental conditions these folks lived with.  It helps to establish seasonality, years of habitation etc...

Join the web organization called shovelbums.  This is a great resource for finding work and field schools.

Good Luck!