What does it take to be an archaeologist?

Question

What does it take to be an archaeologist?

Answer 1

I am a social anthropologist with a lean towards archeology.  All my archaeologist friends say the three requirements are 1) you must be an alcoholic, 2) you must have had at least one divorce, and 3) you must have a bad back.

These are as likely as not results of their chosen occupation but they fit every archaeologist I know.

Answer 2

You are going to need a degree in anthropology or archaeology or a social science and then a Ph.D. in archaeology.  Then if you work really hard you might get funding and a teaching position.  This isn't a really high demand career field so don't expect a lot.

Answer 3

A willingness to scrape meticulously crouched in impossible positions with a limitless patience. It requires a need to record precisely that which the earth reveals.

It often means that one must work around snakes, scorpions, ants, skitters, worms, and anything to do with dirt. It means being at the mercy of a rotating camp cooking duty which appears to send ordinary people to the edge.

It also means the ability to write glowing reports and going to meetings with sponsors who think that tomorrow will bring them the rebirth of Tutankhamen and visions of relics adorning the hair of their secret harems of mistresses.

It means carefully and painstaking time spent in conserving relics. Going over an endless supply of pottery shards.

Answer 4

My daughter is studying archeology, anthropology and history at uni here in Australia.  The initial course it 3 years and then if you want to go further she will have to do possibly a further 8 years to get a PhD. It depends upon where you want to take the job as archaeological consultants are also in much need these days with people being so concerned about not disturbing any sites or ground that could have significance.  here in Australia many companies have to get in a consultant to make sure a site is alright to build on before they are allowed to.  

My daughter has had the opportunity to help sort and classify bones in her Anthropology area as an extra add on you can choose to do.  She is only in her first year so obviously you cannot expect much, but she is loving it.

Answer 5

If you've ever thoroughly cleaned up a teenager's room, you're qualified to become an archaeologist . . .

Answer 6

Hard work, obviously.  Beyond that it's a tough profession in general as there aren't a lot of positions available.  Usually you'll be an academic who teaches archeology (or some other related field, possibly history).  Given that digs are extremely expensive you'll also be doing a good share of grant writing--so take some courses in that or read some books on it.

As far as personal traits go, attention to detail, perseverance and a high tolerance for physical discomfort will help.  While you may not be going on lots and lots of digs you will, undoubtedly be on more than a couple so that last trait will be helpful if you have it.  You're not likely to be spending your days on a dig and nights at a four star hotel after all.

Education wise, you'll probably have to have a Ph.D. to actually get anywhere in the field.  While a bachelors, or more likely a masters, will get you into museum work, a Ph.D. is required to actually do most of the work people think of when someone says "archeology."  If you have less than a Ph.D. you might still be able to participate in digs but you wont be "leading" it or deciding where to dig and such.  All the major decisions will be made, and the actions of those decisions will be overseen by a Ph.D.

Hope that helped a little.  There's probably *much* more information that I didn't provide but you can do a little research on specific things you want to know to fill in the gaps.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Dem bonz

Answer 8

Well..you have to have a degree in the earth sciences. I'm not quite sure what degree you need, but I have a friend that majored in environmental biology and he's working at a dig right now.

Answer 9

You have to be out standing in the field

Answer 10

I notice some people wrote humourous things like "being an alcoholic" (mostly true), or simply incorrect things like a "degree in the earth sciences" (for geoarchaeology maybe, but otherwise not). Mostly you need the willingness to work under adverse conditions, lack of any desire to get rich, and the real desire to learn about the how, what and why of people whose history has been lost to us. If you think you have these, check with your local universities to see who is offering an archaeological field school. This will give you the training needed to get an entry level job in contract archaeology (CRM), and is also a requirement for graduate school in archaeology (a subfield of anthropology in the US). A good field school should convince you either that you love archaeology, or that you never want to see a trowel again!

Answer 11

A brown felt fedora and a bullwhip.     Oh...and "Stay out of the light".