If you’re interested in pursuing a career in archaeology, there are several things you need to know to get started. These include educational requirements, fieldwork, scholarships, and careers. The first step is to study archaeology at a university. Without a degree, your chances of securing a job in the discipline are much lower. Therefore, it’s advisable to research the qualification requirements of university courses in archaeology before applying.
Career opportunities
If you’re interested in working in archaeology, there are several career paths to consider. The archaeologist’s job market is highly competitive. Job openings are limited, and job candidates with advanced degrees have an advantage over others who don’t have the same level of training.
An archaeologist can work as a museum curator, heritage conservator, or archivist. If you have a bachelor’s degree in archaeology, you may also be able to find work as a fieldworker. However, if you want to earn a higher salary, you’ll need to go for a master’s degree in archaeology.
There are several courses and colleges offering degrees in archaeology. Getting into graduate school is very competitive. You will need to complete two years of specific and related courses. You’ll also need to apply to well-known graduate schools. To increase your chances of getting into graduate school, you should pursue a degree in archaeology from a top-ranked university. You’ll need to have good research and writing skills. It may also help if you can speak a foreign language.
Career opportunities in archaeology are plentiful and varied. You can work for the government or in the private sector. You can also join an art gallery or archive or work for a museum. Some archaeologists may also become linguists or surveyors. Archaeologists may even find work as field techs or as part of a dig site.
While archaeology is a field that requires digging and analyzing data, modern technology has made it possible to make even the most intangible findings tangible. Modern techniques such as computer-aided design help create models of sites and turn incomplete data into a visual representation. Other modern tools such as ArcGIS and Ilium make it possible to store and catalog findings.
Education requirements
In order to become a professional archaeologist, you need to complete a degree in the field. An archaeology degree is usually a three or four-year program. You can choose between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc). The BA degree is likely to have a greater humanities focus, whereas the BSc degree will likely have a strong scientific focus. Either degree will give you a foundation in scientific techniques and access to university laboratories.
There are several different concentrations within the field of archaeology. Some students specialize in bioarchaeology, paleoethnobotany, stone tools, and more. There are also specializations within each of these areas, such as classical archaeology, which focuses on the study of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. This designation can focus on architecture, art, philosophy, and other aspects of the Greco-Roman civilization. Students who study classical archaeology often study Athens and other cities in Greece and Rome.
Entry requirements for archaeology differ by university, but most require that you have at least two A Levels and a GCSE grade C in English and Maths. Although many universities do not specify the A Level subjects you should choose, it is generally beneficial to choose subjects that are related to archaeology. In some cases, you may be required to have an A Level in a science-based discipline such as physics or mathematics.
Most archaeology students complete an internship as part of their degree program. This is important for gaining research experience. Many of these internships are offered by museums, historical societies, government agencies, archaeological associations, and other organizations. It is also common for interns to gain fieldwork experience.
Fieldwork
Many people who have an interest in archaeology start by taking part in a research project. This is often done in the form of a ‘field school’ that is run by academic archaeologists. There are also a number of good resources for aspiring archaeologists, including the Institute for Field Research.
Fieldwork is an essential part of archaeological fieldwork. The skills learned in the field help the archaeologist prepare for planned excavations. However, not all excavations are planned and some are accidental or rescue. Some of the most important finds in archaeology were made by chance. For example, four French schoolboys discovered Upper Paleolithic masterpieces in France in 1940, and a Bedouin shepherd found the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947.
Archaeology fieldwork opportunities can be found by searching through online resources and through contacting professors. The AIA website provides a wealth of resources, including the Archaeological Fieldwork Opportunities Bulletin. If you are a student at a reputable university, the archaeology department may also offer fieldwork opportunities. However, you may need to apply for funding to participate in a field project. If you cannot afford a fieldwork program, you can look for local opportunities, such as archaeological volunteer programs.
If you’ve studied a subject related to archaeology but didn’t have coursework in it, you can consider applying for a course at a university. However, you’ll need to be sure that you have a solid interest in archaeology and a passion for the discipline. The university course requirements vary from country to country, but it is important to note that you can complete the requirements if you have the desire.
To get involved with archaeology, you can seek opportunities through local archaeology organizations, schools, local government, and national organizations. You can also try obtaining formal training, which isn’t usually very expensive. Most archaeologists are aware that people don’t have a lot of money, so they strive to keep the costs as low as possible.
Scholarships
A number of scholarships are available for students who want to study Archaeology. These can cover the full or partial cost of tuition. The first step is to fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This form calculates how much financial aid a student will need to complete their degree program.
To apply, a student must be at least 18 years of age and not have participated in any archaeological fieldwork. The committee will also take into consideration the applicant’s academic performance and financial need. The deadline for this scholarship is June 1, 2017. If you have met the criteria, you may be able to receive the funding.
The Archaeological Institute of America has several scholarships available for students interested in archaeology. One of these is the Jane C. Waldbaum Archaeological Field School Scholarship, which will pay the majority of your tuition. The scholarship is offered to junior and senior undergraduate students and to first year graduate students. To apply, students must submit an application that lists their anticipated expenses for the field school.
Another way to apply for a scholarship is to apply to professional associations. Many archaeology professional associations offer scholarships to their students, which can lead to employment after graduation. Some of these scholarships are merit-based based and target low-income students. They may also have specific eligibility criteria, such as GPA or test scores. Additionally, some scholarships will have requirements based on race or gender.
Archaeology is a broad field that encompasses many different forms of material culture. Research methods include excavation and ethno-historical/documentary research. Teaching methods are also important in archaeology. Some of these include the creation of educational materials and kits, virtual museums, and field schools.
Volunteering
If you’re considering a career in archaeology, a great way to gain experience is to volunteer in the field. This will give you practical experience working on archaeological dig sites and will look great on your resume. Many archaeology organizations host volunteer opportunities for people looking to get started in the field. Local history societies and archaeology projects are the easiest places to start, but you can also find opportunities with national organizations and colleges.
Some sites will even accept volunteers to help with their excavations. You can join a team of archaeologists who are working to preserve the history of a site and learn more about archaeology. Volunteering at an archaeological site will allow you to experience a wide range of archaeological techniques first-hand, and many organizations prefer people who have some experience in the field.
You can also find archaeological and paleontological digs in your own country. These digs are highly rewarding, offering hands-on instruction, free room and board, and the deep satisfaction that comes with contributing to scientific discoveries. They may be physically demanding and require a lot of walking and squatting, but you’ll be rewarded with the satisfaction of knowing that your contributions are making a difference. Generally, these projects take place in the summer, and are accessible to researchers from any nation.
If you’d like to work in an archaeological laboratory, you can sign up for an internship at an archaeology volunteer program. The internship program requires candidates to be at least 18 years of age, and allows them to experience the methods and techniques of an archaeology laboratory. These positions are competitive, so apply early.