Does studying anthropology include archaeology?

Question

Will a major in anthropology set you up for working in archaeology? or is it completely different.

Answer 1

Archaeology is one of the branches of anthropology (the other 3 are linguistics, cultural anthropology, and bioanthropology).  To work in archaeology, you will have to get an undergraduate degree in anthropology, then go to graduate school with a focus in archaeology.  Don't be discouraged, they are always finding new excavation sites, and there is so much more to learn about human history! :)

Answer 2

I have a bachelors degree in Archaeology and History.  When choosing a school to go to for Anthropology, make sure to visit the college, and talk to the professors and the staff... make sure that their program is what you are interested in.  Some colleges have an Anthto dept. that focuses on Cultures, or on Forensics, whereas some have deptartments that focus on the Archaeology / Anthopology of North America, while still others have an actual Archaeology program that focuses on Classical Archaeology of places like Greece, Rome, Egypt, etc.  Remember that you are paying for the education, so shop around for what you want in a program.  As for working in Archaeology, it really depends on the college program, but for the most part, yes.  Most, if not all Archaeology jobs out there require a Bachelors degree as a bare minimum, usually in Arch / Anthro, or related field.  One other thing that you will want to seriously keep in mind is a field school.  If your college doesn't offer one, find one to go to... they are usually required by most jobs as well... they teach the hands on aspect of Archaeology of the methods of excavation and what to look for in the ground.  This may seem simple, but you would be suprised at how complicated Archaeology is when treated as a science.  At any rate, there are two amazing resources for Field Schools and Jobs on the web.  AIA's website has a listing of Field Schools, and field work, and then there is www.shovelbums.org which has all kinds of different jobs from professional CRM firms, (which employ the vast majority of Archaeologists in the US) the federal government, and they also have a field school listing on the site.