What's the best choice for me-anthropology or archaeology?

Question

I am interested in both these careers and need to decide which I want to do, so here is a little about me.

I want to spend most of my times outside searching for artifacts and such rather than being in a lab doing research.

I want to go alot of places.

I don't want to spend too much time away from home.

Which career would be best for me?

Answer 1

Archeology is material culture like artifacts.

Anthropology deals more with human bones (although a paleoanthropologist deals with both).

So, it depends on what you want to study bones or items?

(This is all from memory so I might be off).

Answer 2

It honestly depends on what you want your focus to be and where you are.  In the US there are two types of disciplines for archaeology: one is a subfield of anthropology and the other is aligned with art history and pertains mainly to Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology.  

From what it sounds like what you want to do it shows that you really don't know what modern archaeological methods entail.  Archaeology today is not about traveling to far off places looking for buried treasure (although that is pretty much how antiquarians started which was the precedent for archaeology).  Modern archaeology is about 60% research and 40% excavation.  In fact, most practicing archaeologists in the United States work in the private sector for CRM (Cultural Resource Management) firms doing contract archaeology.  I would suggest if you are seriously thinking about a career in archaeology or anthropology that you take classes in them first as it is apparent you have no idea what either of them are.  Good luck with what you decide.

Answer 3

Cultural anthropology requires long periods of fieldwork for the PhD and throughout the career, so if you don't want to be away from home for extended periods it wouldn't be a good choice for you.

Archaeology offers non-academic jobs that can be close to home and largely field based.  "Contract archaeologists" are hired to survey for artifacts on major construction projects as a part of environmental impact statements.  If you choose an academic path, by contrast, you will have to spend lots of time studying the artifacts, which means lab work.

How about trying out an excavation during a summer?  Lots of archaeologists need field help and there are a number of summer field study courses that even grant credit.

Answer 4

Anthropology. Archeology takes a lot of time. With anthropology,you can travel places and learn about different cultures withouth having to spend too much time away form home.

Answer 5

archaeology is a sub-field of anthropology.  You have to start out with the general classes in anthropology before you can specialize.

Answer 6

there are four sub-fields in anthropology:

1. linguistics

2. cultural

3. physical (forensics)

4. archaeology

...while taking up anthropology you'll have classes under these sub-fields, after you have your degree, you'll then specialize from the four.

I graduated with a degree in anthropology, I enjoyed all my classes in the field, you're not actually going to spend much in the lab, mostly out...but it's all fun!

I guess I enjoyed my linguistics and cultural anthro more than archaeology and physical anthro...

Answer 7

You don't want to be away from home?  Maybe you should pursue a history degree.  I guess you could "go out in the field" and do anthropological studies of life at the local mall.  Good luck...

Answer 8

Have you considered zooarcheology? It's a nice combination of the two...Or museum studies?

Answer 9

Since they are related and you may have to take classes in both anyway, try the classes and see which you like best.