What does an archaeologist do?
An Archaeologist is focused on studying past human activity. They record, interpret, and preserve archaeological remains for future generations.
Archaeologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real archaeologist resumes:
- Manage field research, artifact database, data records, and federal and state require reports.
- Manage contracts for curation of museum items, propose actions to repatriate NAGPRA materials and resolve curation problems.
- Coordinate and authore NEPA and NHPA documents for federal projects.
- Coordinate requirements of the NHPA and NEPA by serving as an NEPA interdisciplinary team member and providing expert technical advice.
- Convert data files to GIS shape files and create maps for use in publications using ArcGIS 9.0 and ESRI digital maps.
- Conduct and organize archaeological field surveys, excavations, testing, data recovery, and construction/ environmental monitoring.
- Participate in excavations which require extensive measurements, calculations, data input and compilation, map plotting, and artifact analysis.
- Prepare maps using ESRI ArcGIS 10.0 and above.
- Obtain various hypertension biomarker data using ELISA assays.
- Produce cartographic materials using ArcView 3.2 and ArcGIS applications.
- Perform DNA cloning, total RNA isolation, PCR.
- Complete archaeological DPR forms and update forms for official submission.
- Write and edit interdisciplinary NEPA and EIS documents for public comment.
- Assist in client development, project budgeting and negotiations with SHPO representatives.
- Perform maintenance of an air stripping and soil vapor extraction remediation system.
Archaeologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 27% of Archaeologists are proficient in Excavations, GPS, and GIS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Physical stamina, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Archaeologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Excavations, 27%
Participated in excavations which required extensive measurements, calculations, data input and compilation, map plotting, and artifact analysis.
- GPS, 12%
Created, collected, edited, aggregated, and summarized data from multiple sources for reports and analyses, including GPS.
- GIS, 7%
Conducted project relevant academic research published within GIS Dept.
- Technical Reports, 6%
Prepared technical reports which required analyzing, researching, and reporting on prehistoric and historic artifacts.
- Data Recovery, 5%
Executed archaeological site excavation/data recovery.
- Background Research, 4%
Work consisted of performing background research on sites, processing artifacts, and contributing to reports.
"excavations," "gps," and "gis" are among the most common skills that archaeologists use at work. You can find even more archaeologist responsibilities below, including:
Physical stamina. The most essential soft skill for an archaeologist to carry out their responsibilities is physical stamina. This skill is important for the role because "anthropologists and archeologists working in the field may need to hike or walk several miles while carrying equipment to a research site." Additionally, an archaeologist resume shows how their duties depend on physical stamina: "used remote sensing, geophysical surveys, aerial photography, and cartography to extrapolate actionable data. "
Analytical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling archaeologist duties is analytical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "anthropologists and archeologists must possess knowledge of scientific methods and data, which are often used in their research." According to an archaeologist resume, here's how archaeologists can utilize analytical skills in their job responsibilities: "managed and executed all aspects of cultural resource management from preliminary research and planning to data collection and analysis. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for archaeologists to perform their duties. For an example of how archaeologist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "anthropologists and archeologists often have to write reports or papers in academic journals and present their research and findings to their peers and to general audiences." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an archaeologist: "maintained open lines of communication with multiple departments, collaborating on study designs and issues. ".
The three companies that hire the most archaeologists are:
- Stantec41 archaeologists jobs
- AECOM21 archaeologists jobs
- Wsp USA Buildings Inc.16 archaeologists jobs
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Compare different archaeologists
Archaeologist vs. Environmental service technician
An environmental service technician is an employee who works in a hospital or healthcare facility to maintain cleanliness and a healthy environment within the premises. Environmental service technicians are involved in traditional janitorial tasks as well as proper handling and disposal of biological waste. Although not responsible for laundering them, they are required to distribute linens and keep track of the linens used per department. Environmental service technicians must also refill toilet papers and other paper products to rooms when needed.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between archaeologists and environmental service technician. For instance, archaeologist responsibilities require skills such as "excavations," "gps," "gis," and "technical reports." Whereas a environmental service technician is skilled in "patients," "environmental services," "customer service," and "cleanliness." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Environmental service technicians tend to reach lower levels of education than archaeologists. In fact, environmental service technicians are 13.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Archaeologist vs. Planning internship
When it comes to planning an internship, an intern's duties will depend on the directives of supervising staff or a manager. Typically, an intern's responsibilities will revolve around performing clerical tasks such as processing documents, producing reports and presentations, responding to calls and correspondence, and managing schedules. There are also instances where an intern must share ideas and insights, attend meetings, maintain records, update databases, and assist staff in various tasks while under more experienced colleagues' supervision.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, archaeologist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "excavations," "data recovery," "background research," and "nhpa." Meanwhile, a planning internship has duties that require skills in areas such as "data analysis," "project management," "photoshop," and "transportation planning." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, planning interns achieve similar levels of education than archaeologists. They're 1.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Archaeologist vs. Environmental technician
An environmental technician is responsible for identifying, evaluating, preventing, and controlling contamination of the environment. They study how it affects human health with the supervision of environmental engineers and environmental scientists. Environmental technicians work by monitoring the environment and look for possible sources of pollution and contamination that can possibly affect public health. They make sure that environmental violations are prevented. In addition, an environmental technician also investigates any complaint that is related to water quality, air quality, and food safety.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, archaeologists are more likely to have skills like "data recovery," "background research," "nhpa," and "archaeological survey." But a environmental technician is more likely to have skills like "patients," "osha," "hazardous materials," and "customer service."
Most environmental technicians achieve a lower degree level compared to archaeologists. For example, they're 11.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Archaeologist vs. Environmental scientist
Environmental scientists are responsible for analyzing environmental issues and creating their solutions. They protect the environment together with human health by using their understanding of natural science. It is their job to advise policy-makers, work with industry professionals to reduce waste, and clean up polluted areas. Also, they assess environmental risks and research to guide businesses, government administrators, as well as the general public on probable environmental threats and health risks. Additionally, they ensure that these entities follow the environmental regulations and policies to help minimize their environmental impact on the ecosystem.
Types of archaeologist
Updated January 8, 2025
