Archaeologist

Archaeologists examine ancient sites and objects to learn about the past. They may specialise in particular geographical areas, historical periods or types of object, such as pottery or coins.

The Work

You could be:

• identifying sites through field walking, aerial photography and geophysical surveying


• working on field excavations (or 'digs'), tracing evidence of previous human land use, such as buildings, objects, bones, coins, seeds and animal remains


• cleaning and preserving any artefacts found


• analysing, interpreting and dating excavated materials


• identifying, classifying and displaying objects in museums


• protecting archaeological sites and managing fieldwork projects


• specialising in particular geographical areas, historical periods or types of object, such as roman history or coins and pottery


• producing and publishing reports, books, articles and publicity materials


• lecturing in universities, giving educational talks and presentations.

Conditions

• You may work in an office for part of the time.
• On excavations, you would work in all weathers, sometimes in cramped, cold and wet conditions.


• Your accommodation may also be basic, for example a tent, while working on excavations.


• You may work irregular hours.


• As much of the work is project-based, you will have to travel or move to different parts of the country.


• In a university post, you mainly work in lecture theatres and laboratories but you also lead field excursions for students.

Getting In

• Entry to courses and work is competitive.
• The most common route is to take a degree in archaeology. Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities offer the MA and BSc in Archaeology, which you can combine with another subject. You need 3-4 relevant Highers at good grades for entry, and for BSc courses you need to have Maths or science subjects.


• At St Andrews University, you can study archaeology with a selection of degree courses, such as art history, classics and history. There are also honours degree programmes in archaeology and either ancient history or mediaeval history. Entry requirements are 4 Highers at good grades.
  
• Alternatively you could take a first degree in an archaeology-related subject, such as anthropology, classics, geography or history, and study for a postgraduate qualification in archaeology.


• Postgraduate courses in archaeology are available at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow and at the UHI Millennium Institute, Orkney College.


• Gaining voluntary work experience in museums or on excavation sites is usually essential.


• Joining archaeological societies may also help.


• Some archaeologists work for bodies such as Historic Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), local authorities, museums or universities.


• Others work for small, independent units or are self-employed as consultants.

What Does It Take?

You need to have:

• an enquiring mind


• a keen interest in the past


• imagination to reconstruct the past, based on incomplete evidence


• an excellent eye for detail, to spot artefacts when excavating


• good manual skills, for using excavation tools and instruments


• artistic or design ability, for designing exhibitions.

• a good communicator, both written and verbally
• self-motivated


• methodical and well organised
• accurate in your approach, with close attention to detail


• patient and persistent, particularly when excavating a difficult site


• physically fit, for fieldwork


• able to work as part of a team.

Training

• Further training is normally on the job, under the supervision of experienced staff.
• You may also take short specialist courses relating to a particular aspect of the work.

Getting On

• This is a small profession and there is a lot of competition for promotion.


• It is helpful to gain membership of a professional body, such as the Institute for Archaeologists (IFA).


• If you wish to enter academic work in universities, you normally need a postgraduate research degree.


• Many posts are linked to short-term projects. If you work on field excavations, you may have to travel or relocate often.


• You may move on to work freelance in specialist posts such as site supervisors, illustrators or post-excavation analysts.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of company or organisation you work for

the demand for the job.

More Information

• Most work is in field archaeology.
• Local authorities must now consider the need to investigate possible archaeological remains before any major development takes place. In 2007, excavations of an old industrial site were carried out in Rutherglen, near Glasgow, prior to the construction project of the M74 extension.
• The current economic downturn, in particular the slump in the house building industry, has affected employment opportunities in some areas of archaeology. (Source: Institute for Archaeologists, 2010.)

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.