What Do Historical Archaeologists Do?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Historical archaeology is a form of archaeology

dealing with places, things, and issues from the past or present when written records and oral traditions can inform and contextualize cultural material

. … Studies focus on literate, historical- period societies as opposed to non-literate, prehistoric societies.

What do archaeologists do to study the past?

Archaeology is the study of the

human past using material remains

. These remains can be any objects that people created, modified, or used. Portable remains are usually called artifacts. … Archaeologists use artifacts and features to learn how people lived in specific times and places.

Where do historical archaeologists work?

Historical archaeologists focusing on both terrestrial and underwater sites are employed in

universities and colleges

; government agencies; historical societies, museums, and restoration programs; and in private archaeological con- sulting firms.

Is archaeology a good career?

Archaeology is one of the best courses that you can choose for a

bright career in the future

. … Archaeology is the study of the ancient or recent human past through material remains. It is also a sub-discipline of Anthropology, which is the study of all human cultures.

Is archeology a dying field?

In my experience archaeology has been a

career of attrition

. Those who persevere AND are good at what they do end up with a very high quality of life. It is always sad to hear of those who have given up through the difficult times, which there are many.

Do archaeologists travel?

Do Archaeologists Travel? … Archaeologists whose research areas are not near where they live may travel to conduct surveys, excavations, and laboratory analyses. Many archaeologists, however,

do not travel that much

. This is true for some jobs in federal and state government, museums, parks and historic sites.

How does archeology help us?

Archaeology helps us

understand not only where and when people lived on the earth

, but also why and how they have lived, examining the changes and causes of changes that have occurred in human cultures over time, seeking patterns and explanations of patterns to explain everything from how and when people first came to …

What are the methods of Archaeology?

  • Google Earth. …
  • LIDAR. …
  • Drones. …
  • Shallow geophysics. …
  • Soil geochemistry. …
  • Ground penetrating radar.

Are Archaeologists in demand?

Employment of anthropologists and archeologists is projected to

grow 5 percent from

2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Prospective anthropologists and archeologists will likely face strong competition for jobs because of the small number of positions relative to applicants.

Does Archaeology pay well?

Archaeologists made a

median salary of $63,670 in

2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $81,480 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $49,760.

Is it hard to get a job in archeology?

Being an archaeologist isn’t easy.

No career path is

. There is no painless pathway you can take to success. Being a cultural resource management archaeologist is a personal choice.

Do archaeologists get to keep what they find?

Professional archaeologists do not keep, buy, sell, or trade any artifacts. Quite simply,

they don’t get to keep what they find because it doesn’t belong to them

. If archaeologists kept what they found, they would be the only ones to know the story behind the object. Archaeologists want to share their discoveries.

How many hours do archaeologists work?

An archaeologist typically works

between 35 – 40 hours a week

. A lot of their work involves fieldwork and may be required to travel frequently. They also work on the weekends in case they have tight deadlines.

How do I get started in Archaeology?

  1. Get a bachelor’s degree. The first step for aspiring archaeologists is to complete a bachelor’s program in anthropology or a related field such as history or geography. …
  2. Participate in an internship. …
  3. Earn a master’s degree. …
  4. Consider a doctorate. …
  5. Seek employment.

Do archaeologists lick bones?


Archaeologists sometimes used to lick artifacts they excavated in the field to determine if they were bone or not

. Everything on an excavation, including the archaeologists themselves, is often covered in dirt, so it can be difficult to tell what material an object is made of when it first comes out of the ground.

Do archaeologists use math?


Archaeologists use math

a lot in their work, as it is important to measure everything and calculate weights, diameters, and distances. All kinds of estimates are based on mathematical equations. … For most archaeologists, their first excavation experience was at an archaeology field school.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.