Where can I get information on participating in an Archaeological dig?

Question

Thanks for reading. I've wanted to participate in an Archeological dig since college after taking two classes on the subject. Any suggestions on where/how I could get involved with a dig as an amateur? Preferably somewhere warm of course.

Answer 1

Here:

http://www.ipfw.edu/archsurv/news.html

Answer 2

I would also recommend going through the AIA website.  I am a university student and have participated in 3 digs.  1 I found by searching the AIA listings ( http://www.archaeological.org/webinfo.ph... ), the second I found through a prof at my university, and the third I found through searching the websites of major universities archaeology programs and contacting a professor who was leading a dig.  

The third way can be tricky, as school sites aren't always updated every season, and the second way relies on knowing an archaeologist you can talk to.  When you search the AIA look at the listings carefully: many are commercial ventures which want you to pay a fair amount for the 'privilage' of digging with them (rather than a university project which needs volunteers).  Even if you have no experience, there are better options (trust me on that).  Some digs offer "partially funded" spots which would require you to get yourself there (ie buy the plane ticket), but pay for living expenses/food once you're there (but that can just mean they pay your campsite fee and give you some rice and beans to cook).  Others will ask you to help cover travel and living expenses, but will train you for free.  If you don't want to earn university or college credits many digs won't charge for your training and will give you the same breadth of experience as those who are paying.  It is worth it to ask what skills they are prepared to teach you, as some digs will be prepared to teach you more than just how to use a trowel (e.g. GIS mapping, archaeological drawing, site planning etc).

I took a quick peek through the Europe listings for you:

The Kalat project is in Agrigento (which means you could be working by the Valley of the Temples, which are well worth seeing in person).  Volunteer costs aren't too bad, and it is a university project (University of Palermo).  I have dug in Sicily before and it can be in the 40s (celsius) in the summer which might be a bit *too* warm for some.  Also, the dig claims to use English and Italian, but it is a Sicilian school...  It also sounds like it could be more mapping than digging.

The UK is nice and warm in the summer (have dug there too as a volunteer) and there are digs with the universities of Sheffield, Bournemouth, East Anglia and Wales.  You'd probably learn a lot, but if you pick one of the bronze age projects they can be a little sparse on artifacts.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Try the organization known as 'Shovelbums' at:

http://www.shovelbums.org/

They have lists of jobs and field schools.

Answer 4

my brother did this in africa last year whilst doing his phd. it was set up through university so maybe you should try that avenue first? my brother did a degree in geology and you get alot of work experience with that.

Answer 5

Im a history grad and my prof. told me a few years back that if I ever wanted to go to Rome I could help with a dig. So, I would recommend that you speak to a prof. at a college near you or the one you went to. They are very open and love to help. If you have a major in something close to archaelogy

or history, thats even better.

Answer 6

Check out the website of choice for the avid excavator...

www.shovelbums.org

Field schools are generally very open to volunteers. Also see if the state you live in has an archaeological society. The one in Kansas is great. They hold a dig/field school every summer, mostly made up of amateurs.

Answer 7

http://www.archaeological.org/webinfo.ph...  This site will give you a place to click on sites available for archaeological digs.  The Smithsonian Institution Magazine often lists some possibilities as well.

Answer 8

For complete information on the subject please visit http://www.archaeologydigs.blogspot.com/