TO ENHANCE THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ARCHAEOLOGIST

1. D R . A G H A L Y A . , M . A . , M . E D . , M . P H I L . , P H . D . ,
H E A D & A S S T . P R O F E S S O R
D E P A R T M E N T O F H I S T O R Y
B O N S E C O U R S C O L L E G E F O R W O M E N
T H A N J A V U R
Functions of Archaeologist

3. What is an Archaeologist?
 Archaeology is one of the main sources we have to
unearth history and to piece together the people and
cultures that make us who we are today.
 It is the scientific study of the human past, and is one
of the four sub-fields of anthropology.

5. What is an Archaeologist?
 Archaeologists study the origin, development, and
behaviour of human beings and their societies, both
past and present.
 They examine cultures, languages, behaviours,
archaeological remains, and physical characteristics
of people in many parts of the world.
 They ask questions and develop theories.

6. What does an Archaeologist do?
 Archaeologists use scientific sampling techniques to
guide them as to where they need to dig on the site.
 They observe, record, categorize, and interpret what they
find, then share their findings with other scientists and
the public.
 Drawing and building on knowledge from the humanities
and social, physical, and biological sciences,
archaeologists examine the ways of prehistoric societies
in various parts of the world

7. Archaeological Survey

8. What does an Archaeologist do?
 They also examine the customs, values, and social
patterns of different cultures.
 To the archaeologist, history is separated into eight
distinct time periods. Each time period can also be
sub-divided into more specific periods.

9. Many archaeologists have committed their
lives to studying only one branch:
 Stone Age: before 4000 BC
Chalolithic: 4000 - 3150 BC
Bronze Age: 3150 - 1200 BC
Iron Age:1200 - 300 BC
Hellenistic: 330 - 37 BC
Roman: 37 BC - AD 324
Byzantine: AD 324 - 636
Islamic: AD 636 - today
 Many archaeologists use sophisticated tools and technologies in
their work.
 Although tasks vary by specialty, materials often include excavating
tools, laboratory equipment, statistical and database software, and
geographic information systems (GIS).

10. Duties of an Archaeologist

11. An archaeologist will typically do the following:
 Plan research projects to answer questions and test
hypotheses about human activity through environmental data
left behind
 Develop data collection methods tailored to a particular
specialty, project, or culture
 Collect information from observations, interviews, and
documents
 Record and manage records of observations taken in the field
 Analyze data, laboratory samples, and other sources to
uncover patterns about human life, culture, and origins
 Write reports and give presentations on research findings
 Advise organizations on the cultural impact of proposed
plans, policies, and programs

12. Collect information from observations,
interviews, and documents

13. There are different kinds of archaeologists:
 Landscape archaeologists - search for traces of
ancient sites
 Archaeological surveyors - plan and record
earthworks, buildings, and excavated sites
 Field technicians - do the hard work of excavation
and extraction of relics

14. Various kinds of archaeologists

15. There are different kinds of archaeologists:
 Archaeological photographers - take photos of
the site before, during, and after excavation; and of
individual relics
 Archaeological conservators - preserve the
artifacts for future generations
 Finds specialists - date, analyze, identify, and
interpret artifacts
 Archaeological illustrators - complete drawings
of objects, work on publication plans, and design and
typeset archaeological books and publications

16. Various kinds of archaeologists

17. There are different kinds of archaeologists:
 Environmental scientists - study and reconstruct
the relationships between past societies and the
environments they lived in. They work to identify the
diet, health and living conditions of these societies
 Human bones experts - identify and interpret
human skeletal remains
 Finds curators - organize the long-term storage
and aftercare of artifacts

18. Are you suited to be an archaeologist?

19. Are you suited to be an archaeologist?
 Archaeologists have distinct personalities.
 They tend to be investigative individuals, which means
they’re intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive.
 They are curious, methodical, rational, analytical, and
logical.
 Some of them are also artistic, meaning they’re creative,
intuitive, sensitive, articulate, and expressive.

20. Field Archaeology

21. What is the workplace of an Archaeologist like?
 Although some archaeologists work in a typical office
setting, many work in laboratories or in the field.
 Fieldwork sometimes requires workers to travel. Most
work full-time during regular business hours.
 Archaeologists work for research organizations, colleges
and universities, museums, consulting firms, private
corporations, and in all levels of government.
 They can also work for cultural resource management
(CRM) firms.

22. Field of Archaeology

23. What is the workplace of an Archaeologist like?
 CRM firms identify, assess, and preserve archaeological sites and
ensure that organizations, such as developers and builders, comply
with regulations regarding archaeological sites.
 Archaeologists often do fieldwork, either in their own country or in
foreign countries.
 This may involve learning foreign languages, living in remote
villages, or examining and excavating archaeological sites.
 This profession often requires travel for extended periods of time
and may involve work in remote areas.
 Archaeologists may work under rugged conditions, and their work
may involve strenuous physical exertion.

24. Becoming an archaeologist can take between four
and twelve years

25. How long does it take to become an
Archaeologist?
 Becoming an archaeologist can take between four
and twelve years, depending on the level of degree
pursued.
 Job opportunities exist for all degree holders; the
majority of positions, however, call for a Master’s.
 Bachelor’s Degree – Four Years
Master’s Degree – One to Two Years
Doctoral Degree – Five to Six Years

26. Are Archaeologists happy?
 Archaeologists rank highly among careers.
 Overall they rank in the 82nd percentile of careers
for satisfaction scores.
 Please note that this number is derived from the data
we have collected from our Sokanu members only.

27. Entrusting Archaeological Functioning

28. Are Archaeologists happy?
 Reaching down into the dirt and picking up an
arrowhead that hasn’t been held in eight hundred
years or more is exhilarating.
 There is an instant connection to the person that left
it there so long ago.
 Without doubt, these kinds of experiences contribute
to archaeologists’ job satisfaction and happiness.

29. What are Archaeologists like?
 Based on our pool of users, archaeologists tend to be
predominately investigative people.
 Investigation: the search for and examination of facts
about something hidden, unique, or complex.
 Archaeology may, in fact, be the most investigative of
disciplines.
 Its practitioners are charged with the study of human
cultures and ancient human settlements, and the analysis
of data to develop new hypotheses or contribute to
existing theories.

30. A career in archaeology

31. Should I become an Archaeologist?
 Before committing to a career in archaeology, it is important
to consider both the personal characteristics of a typical
archaeologist and the skills commonly required in most
positions.
 Patience and ability to persevere
Archaeological studies often move forward at glacial pace.
 An eye for detail
Successful archaeologists possess an inquisitiveness about the
subject matter under investigation and the capacity to piece
together facts based upon incomplete evidence.

33. Should I become an Archaeologist?
 Ability to remain objective / Critical; logical
thinking skills
The work of archaeologist involves constantly
drawing conclusions from observations, research,
and laboratory experiments.
 Strong writing skills
Archaeologists need exemplary writing skills to
create research reports and journal articles on
findings.

35. Should I become an Archaeologist?
 Organizational and project management abilities
Archaeological digs are multi-faceted operations that
demand careful planning and organization.
 Capacity to work in teams
The vast majority of archaeological digs and other work
are carried out by teams of specialists.
 An appreciation of science and history
Archaeologists must have a vast knowledge of scientific
data and methods, which are typically applied to their
research, digs, and analysis of artifacts, time periods, and
geographic areas.

36. Should I become an Archaeologist?
 Computer skills
The work of archaeologists calls for information
technology (IT) literacy and the ability to adapt to new
software.
 Willingness to endure time away from family and
potentially isolated living conditions for extended
periods while conducting fieldwork
 Manual dexterity
 Interest in traveling to remote locations and working
closely with people from other regions

37. Should I become an Archaeologist?
 Enthusiasm for learning and research
 Fundraising and negotiation skills
 When looking for work in the archaeological field, candidates should be
sure to look at positions with less obvious job titles, as jobs in
archaeology may have titles such as Consultant, Field
Assistant, Cultural Heritage Officer, and Heritage Consultant.
 Archaeologists work in a diverse profession and engage in a wide
variety of activities, from finding and excavating archaeological sites, to
performing scientific laboratory analysis of finds and writing papers
and books related to findings.

38. The following are examples of some of the
business, organizational, and government sectors
that create jobs for archaeologists:
 Archaeological consulting firms identify, assess, and
preserve archaeological sites and ensure that developers
comply with regulations regarding sites.
 Oil, gas, mining, and natural resource companies find,
excavate, and record archaeological sites and other
aspects of cultural heritage affected by development
projects. They also enforce regulatory compliance.
 Engineering and environmental consulting
companies conduct impact studies and excavations.

40. The following are examples of some of the
business, organizational, and government sectors
that create jobs for archaeologists:
 Aboriginal land councils conduct research and record
cultural history.
 Museums hire archaeologists as curators and exhibit
directors.
 Colleges and universities employ archaeologists as
researchers and instructors.
 Federal, state, and local government
departments employ archaeologists to manage
conservation, research, and cultural resource programs.

41. CONCLUSION
 Finally, aspiring archaeologists need to realize that
‘the dig’ is only part of the scope of archaeology.
 After the fieldwork, artifacts must be sorted, cleaned,
and catalogued. Data must be organized and
analyzed and reports finalized.
 Grant applications must be completed. Project bids
need to be submitted. Being in the field is the fun
part. The rest keeps the business going.

42. Archaeologists are also known as:
Archaeological Researcher
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