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Archaeologist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Emma Buckingham,

Mary Ann Owoc

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical archaeologist skills. We ranked the top skills for archaeologists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 26.7% of archaeologist resumes contained excavations as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an archaeologist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 archaeologist skills for your resume and career

1. Excavations

Here's how archaeologists use excavations:

Participated in excavations which required extensive measurements, calculations, data input and compilation, map plotting, and artifact analysis.
Conducted and organized archaeological field surveys, excavations, testing, data recovery, and construction/ environmental monitoring.

2. GPS

GPS stands from Global Positioning System. It is a navigation system comprising of satellites that helps in determining the location, velocity, and synchronize time data for different modes of travel like air, sea, or land.

Here's how archaeologists use gps:

Created, collected, edited, aggregated, and summarized data from multiple sources for reports and analyses, including GPS.
Phase I archaeological pedestrian survey over an historic railroad, field note taking, GPS, and archaeological photography

3. GIS

A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for capturing, storing, manipulating, analyzing, managing and presenting various forms of geographic data.

Here's how archaeologists use gis:

Conducted project relevant academic research published within GIS Dept.
Administered GIS databases for archaeological projects.

4. Technical Reports

Technical reports are a type of document that is used to indicate either the progress, result, or process of scientific research or the state of problems occurring within such research. A technical report may also showcase the report's overall conclusion and may also include recommendations. This kind of report does not require a peer review and isn't published officially but distributed within the organizations where it was formed.

Here's how archaeologists use technical reports:

Prepared technical reports which required analyzing, researching, and reporting on prehistoric and historic artifacts.
Authored technical reports documenting survey, resources identified, and proposed management recommendations.

5. Data Recovery

Data recovery is the process of restoring to life, lost data from a crashed computer system, or saving what's left of a damaged system. It's also the process of accessing data from a corrupt, formatted or damaged system that cannot be accessed under normal circumstances. A data recovery program is used to recover data from any system.

Here's how archaeologists use data recovery:

Executed archaeological site excavation/data recovery.
Worked on mitigation projects at prehistoric sites in Florida, conducting archaeological monitoring, survey, testing and data recovery.

6. Background Research

Background research is done to learn more about a general area of interest. This research helps form a more focused opinion on the topic.

Here's how archaeologists use background research:

Work consisted of performing background research on sites, processing artifacts, and contributing to reports.
Conducted historical background research, including deed research, mapping, and subject interviews.

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7. Data Collection

Data collection means to analyze and collect all the necessary information. It helps in carrying out research and in storing important and necessary information. The most important goal of data collection is to gather the information that is rich and accurate for statistical analysis.

Here's how archaeologists use data collection:

Conducted an information security review for newly adopted mobile data collection software.
Assisted in organizing and performing archaeological survey/data collection projects.

8. NHPA

Here's how archaeologists use nhpa:

Conducted cultural resource surveys at DPG to support compliance with NHPA Section 106 laws and regulations.
Worked on a construction site monitoring equipment to ensure compliance with section 106 of NHPA.

9. Archaeological Survey

Here's how archaeologists use archaeological survey:

Conducted archaeological surveys and fieldwork, in addition to historical research in Alabama and Mississippi.
Conducted archaeological surveys over various government operated natural forests and corporation owned property in Mississippi.

10. Preservation ACT

Here's how archaeologists use preservation act:

Conducted cultural resource management investigations following Section 106 regulation and review process of the National Historic Preservation Act.
Developed approaches ensuring compliance with National Historic Preservation Act legislation.

11. Nepa

Here's how archaeologists use nepa:

Conduct field survey for NEPA, Section 106, NRHP Evaluation and other cultural resource management projects.
Facilitate production and delivery of NEPA documentation with Project Coordinators, Local Public Agencies and consulting groups.

12. Artifact Analysis

Here's how archaeologists use artifact analysis:

Performed artifact analysis and cataloging.
Field survey and excavation, artifact analysis, data management, and report writing.

13. Phase II

Here's how archaeologists use phase ii:

Supervised a crew of 5 field archaeologists, created and implemented a research design and conducted Phase II survey and testing.
Phase II field survey of Lake Murray to gauge the impact of erosion on the cultural resources of shorelines and islands

14. Archival Research

Archival research refers to the process of locating and studying old records for personal interest, evidence for a case, or any other purpose. It gives us factual data which can confirm or aid our enquiries. The findings can be highly influential in researching science, religion, history, law and more.

Here's how archaeologists use archival research:

Conducted lab analysis and archival research operation of electronic distance measuring devices
Conducted library and archival research in support of field investigations.

15. Lab Analysis

The medical tests that are performed on the body fluids of a person or animal are called lab analyses. A lab analysis involves medical tests of blood, urine, and body tissues. Laboratory tests are conducted to evaluate and measure the concentration of different bio-components and chemicals in body fluids.

Here's how archaeologists use lab analysis:

Organized gathered data and artifacts from the field and labeling them for the TVAR lab analysis and documentation for final reports.
Contributed in state funded research campaigns conducting fieldwork and lab analysis.

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What skills help Archaeologists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on archaeologist resumes?

Emma Buckingham

Visiting Assistant Professor of Classical Archaeology, University of Missouri - Columbia

I'd say it depends on the focus and course of study, but all archaeology students should be equipped with critical thinking skills and an ability to interpret evidence that can oftentimes be conflicting or fragmentary. Some students might choose to approach the evidence from a data-driven approach, and so data analysis, databases, and knowledge of statistical techniques will equip them with an arsenal to interpret the archaeological record and help fill in any gaps that exist. Others might choose to focus more on spatial analysis, using GIS to map sites, log contextual information, create distribution maps, and determine possible locations for further analysis. Some choose a more materials science-driven route, using scientific methodologies and geological knowledge to analyze the physical and chemical components of artifacts, soils, and organic objects such as bones. And finally, for archaeologists with more of a background in typologies -- figuring out how styles and forms of objects and buildings change over time and from place to place -- a necessary skill is an attention to detail and patterns, as well as good visual memory.
Skills in linguistics are important for all archaeologists to be able to interpret ancient written texts and to read literature published in a number of different modern languages, as well as to communicate with locals in communities where fieldwork is being conducted.

What soft skills should all archaeologists possess?

Mary Ann Owoc

Associate Professor, Mercyhurst University

-Working well with others,
-Being adaptable to changing situations and locations,
-Being comfortable working outdoors and in variable weather,
-Attention to detail/accuracy,
-Legible, detailed writing
-Ability to perform sometimes tedious tasks without becoming careless

What hard/technical skills are most important for archaeologists?

Mary Ann Owoc

Associate Professor, Mercyhurst University

-Knowledge of and experience with shovel and trowel excavation techniques
-Ability to excavate a shovel test probe
-Ability to shovel scrape soils/sediments
-Spatial and directional acuity
-Ability to accurately use measuring devices
-Field map making
-Map reading
-Soil and sediment recognition and descriptions
-Relevant (to the project) artifact recognition
-Detailed artifact analysis knowledge/ experience

What archaeologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

William Farley PhD

Associate Professor of Anthropology, Southern Connecticut State University

Make sure to find out the real story when it comes to careers that are available to people studying what you are passionate about and what you are majoring in. Don’t read those terrible lists of “worst majors for your career” because they generally traffic in pure stereotypes and involve zero research. Besides the obvious answers that tons of employers are looking for the skills you get with a degree in something like Anthropology or Sociology or Philosophy – oftentimes those disciplines have their own industries that can be lucrative on their own. Case in point, I’m an archaeologist. There is a whole archaeology industry called Cultural Resource Management that is in a desperate labor shortage and will be for at least the next decade. Folks with a master’s degree can earn $100k or more in that industry, and state and federal government agencies hire lots of archaeologists for jobs with good pay and great benefits. Get to know the faculty who might have contacts in those industries, because there are probably internships, paid work, or grant-funded projects that will make you a desirable candidate for those jobs. Find out what skills that industry needs and think about how you can start developing them before you graduate, or where you can get them in entry-level jobs after graduation.

What type of skills will young archaeologists need?

Dr. Donn R. Grenda Ph.D.

President, Statistical Research

Most Cultural Resource Management (CRM) firms require new graduates to have a degree in anthropology with an archaeology concentration and to have completed a field school. Skills beyond those requirements are usually unrelated to archaeology and include the ability to get along with others on the team, working hard, driving work trucks, showing up to work on time, and taking good notes.

Do you want to know more?

List of archaeologist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an archaeologist resume and required skills for an archaeologist to have include:

Excavations
GPS
GIS
Technical Reports
Data Recovery
Background Research
Data Collection
NHPA
Archaeological Survey
Preservation ACT
Nepa
Artifact Analysis
Phase II
Archival Research

Lab Analysis
Archaeological Sites
Shpo
Historic Places
Nagpra
ArcGIS
Historic Properties
Cultural Resource Management
Federal Regulations
Shovels
Historic Sites
Remote Sensing
Pedestrian Survey
BLM

Archaeological Investigations
Munsell
Federal Laws
Historic Resources
Site Forms
Federal Agencies
Sketch
State Agencies
Site Documentation
Public Outreach
Test Pits
Site Maps
Trowels

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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