WHAT IS ARCHAEOLOGY?
Archaeology is the scientific study of the past through material evidence that people leave behind. Archaeologists attempt to reconstruct the past and understand why different how past cultures developed, lived, and died.
Environmental Archaeologists study the relationship of past cultures and communities with the environment. By learning about the ecological processes that took place in the past, we can apply many lessons to our interactions with nature today.
WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS?
Archaeology majors can expect an emphasis on history, field investigations, scientific analysis and interpretation of artifacts, as well as specialized computer programs. Specific courses we've seen include:
- Field Archaeology
- Field Methods
- Restructuring Past Cultures
- Molecular Archaeology
- Botanical Analysis
- Ceramic Artifacts
- Cultural Resource Management
- Historic Preservation
- Ethnohistory & Ethnoarchaeology
- Geoarchaeology
- Lithics
- Surveying
- Geographical Information Systems
- Biological Anthropology
- Evolution
- Culture and the Environment
At the undergraduate level, there is little specialization, but most graduate schools require students to declare specific field of interest. To date, we've not seen any majors, emphases or concentrations in Environmental Archaeology, but some universities do offer courses in this area and many professors list the field as their area of interest. Those with a specific interest in this field should look carefully for this instruction before choosing a university.
CAREERS AND SALARY OUTLOOK
Archaeology graduates work for universities, colleges, museums, the federal government, state governments, in private companies, and as consultants. They teach, conduct field investigations, analyze artifacts and sites, and publish the results of their research. They also excavate significant sites prior to their destruction by construction activities. Private sector archaeologists work in the field, in the laboratory analyzing the results of their field investigations, in the office writing reports on those investigations and preparing proposals to conduct additional work. Specific job titles we've seen include:
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- Laboratory Manager
- Professor/Assistant Professor
- Cultural Resources Consultant
- Project / Dig Manager
- Cold Environments Researcher
- Project Achaeologist
- Historic Preservation Director
- Public Programs Assistant
- Principle Investigator
- Museum Curator / Conservator
- Archaeological Consultant
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual earnings of archaeologists and anthropologists were $38,620 in 2002. According to Federal Government statistics, social scientists with a bachelor's degree could expect a beginning salary of between $23,442 and $29,307 in 2003. Those with advanced degrees and/or experience could be offered between $35,519 and $51,508. Check out full report from BLS on careers in Archaeology here.
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