How Do I Become An Archaeologist?

by Willette Francis

Did you enjoy playing in the dirt as a kid? Got a kick out of all the cool things you would find in abandoned buildings, parks, or beaches? As an adult, with the right training you can embrace your curiosity of finding interesting things by becoming an archaeologist. An archaeologist is a social scientist that unveils the mysteries behind ancient objects from ancient civilizations. Through these objects you can explore a civilization's history and determine how they lived.

How do I become an archaeologist?
Like other social scientists, such as anthropologists, archaeologists require the same education needs and training. Most positions require a master's degree and PhD for careers in this field. Many of the requirements vary by field but you'll need to have a master's degree in applied specialties to qualify for positions outside of colleges and universities. A bachelor's degree holder will qualify for limited employment opportunities but a bachelor's degree can provide a background for many entry-level jobs in this field or related fields.

Archaeologists and many other social scientists must have training in statistics and mathematics because these skills are essential to their work. They also need to be able to use computers for research purposes and they must keep up to date with the latest technological advancements to aid their work. GIS technology is used by many social scientist professionals but is more commonly used by archaeologists.

A great way to get experience in this career is through internships and field work. These type of opportunities are available at local museums, historical societies, government agencies, and non-profits and other organizations.

Many social scientists are able to advance to top administrative and research positions by writing numerous, high-quality reports and having them published. Social scientists can also choose to teach in their field and pursue their own research. They can hold postsecondary teaching positions and if they hold a PhD, teaching at colleges and universities is a possibility. Master's degree holders in social science can qualify for teaching positions in community college, and social science graduates with the required amount of education courses can teach at secondary and elementary schools.

What will I learn in school when studying archaeology?
Most applicants for graduate archaeology programs have completed coursework in and done some field work and/or had museum experience. A graduate program in archaeology prepares students for a detailed understanding of a particular topic or specialty. They also learn the techniques, methods, and theoretical approaches used in the field. This may include being competent in a language or mastering an analytical skill that is essential to their area of specialization.

Possible graduate courses could include ancient people and places, individual study in archaeology and related fields, special topics in archaeology, early people; the archaeological and fossil record, stone age art, archaeology of North American Indians, early agriculture, stone age archaeology, humans and animals, Iroquois archaeology, ancient Mexico and central America, archaeology of the Andes, gender and age in archaeology hunters and gatherers, the archaeology of slavery, Cataloyuk and archaeological practice, and political economy in archaeology.

Field school experience may consist of basic excavation, laboratory procedures, and identification of culture. Field school experience will differ based on the location of the field work.