What's the easiest way I (a non student) can help out on an archaeological dig?

Question

What's the easiest way I (a non student) can help out on an archaeological dig?

Answer 1

if your hired follow directions given you and plan on doings a lot work.

Answer 2

Good old fashioned labor....dig.

Answer 3

By doing exactly what they ask of you, and not doing anything else.

If you do things they haven't asked, you could really mess things up.

One thing you CAN do is things like cook, and other maintenence work.

If you just start digging around, you'll do the wrong thing the wrong way, and destroy the work.

I guess what you can do is LOOK, and see if you can spot things they haven't, and draw their attention to them.

Answer 4

Drop off letter with cellular or telephone contact information

and explain reason(s) you like to assist in any capacity.  If

dig is short on manpower reader might find a pivotal role in

one or more functions assisting other team positions.  My advice is to clearly understand what has been said.  Ask for additional guidance if needed to correctly follow instruction.

Answer 5

Join your local or state archaeological society.  Typically these are organizations put together by professionals (like me) and amateurs ("avocational archaeologists"), where we can work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect toward common goals.  For example, here in New Jersey, we have the Archaeological Society of New Jersey - www.asnj.org. ASNJ sometimes sponsors digs on really exciting sites, supervised by a team of volunteer professionals.  Great fun!

Answer 6

Middle of the night with a metal detector.

Answer 7

by Stayin the f.u.c.k away lmfao

Answer 8

Most amateurs find the site and call in the pros to do most ot the work. You can help by asking what else you can do.

Answer 9

I take it you're trying to find someone who will let you dig? My daughter is an archaeologist, employed by a trust, and very few will let amateurs in, although there have been a few recently where the trusts are trying to save money.

Look at the jobs section of the Guardian every Thursday, that's where jobs are advertised. Unlikely they will advertise for volunteers, but it will give you the names and addresses of trusts you can contact. Likewise the internet.

There are archaeology magazines to which you can subscribe, see www.archaeology.co.uk for one called Current Archaeology. Professional archaeologists don't bother, but the magazines sometimes have inserts about what's available to volunteers.

I take it you want to volunteer? Trusts don't pay people without degrees, and then you have to have six months training.