Since I’m lookinf for factual information I think this query should go in General Questions. If it belongs in In My Humble Opinion, I apologize, and mods please move it over.
I’m hoping some dopers might be archaeologists and be able to point me in the right direction. I have a degree in mechanical engineering. I’ve been working in the corporate world for a few years now, but don’t find manufacturing products for mass consumption too fulfilling or interesting. I’ve always had an interest in history, archaeology, and foreign culture. I know there’s a branch of archaeology that uses engineering to determine how structures were built, materials used, how tools were developed and used, etc. I’d like to research this area and see what kind of career opportunities are available and what the requirements are to work in this field, but I have no idea of where to look. Does anyone have any experience dealing with this area or the people who work in it, and could you please point me in the right direction? Universities with these programs, firms that do this kind of work, etc.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Well, a good start is SAA, the main professional group of North American archaeologists.
Keep in mind that archaeology isn’t for everybody. It involves long stretches in the field (3 months or more), often in less than ideal conditions (no plumbing and insects from hell - that sort of thing).
There are not huge amounts of jobs available, this is why I got out before finishing grad school.
I still have friends who are almost finished their PhDs and if you like I can hit them up for more information regarding programs and what not.
ryanbobo - I’m an archaeologist working in the field professionally. I work for a large firm in Boston. I did my undergrad here in the states and my graduate work at Oxford. Studied at stonehenge and a few other neolithic sites in western Europe. Now working for a large firm specializing in industrial sites. A grossly vague rendition of what I do is, when Big Company X finds significant archaeological remains where they are digging I go and excavate and determine if work can proceed (US only) and when the job is abroad I work for whatever gov’t agency deals with antiquities.
You are an engineer and want to work in the structural area of experimental archaeology? There is a need for guys like you…however, the need is not so great when hiring someone with no graduate school work in the field. That said, if you are planning on schooling in the realm…let me know what area you live in and I can give you more pointed feed back.
Anecdotally, I love my job. I used to travel extensively, but that all changed when I took a project lead position. Now my travel is limited and I am more on the administrative end (sort of). I connect findings my firm makes to gov’t agencies, tribal groups, museums etc…etc…
I do speak at some local uni’s and enjoy thoroughly my work. Please ryan - fire away any other Q’s you may have.
0The largest employer of archaeology in California is Caltrans (California Department of Transportation). I had planned on becoming an anthropologist at one point, and my understanding was that anything less than a PhD is useless. (Archaeology is one of the three branches of anthropolgy in the United States; I believe it’s separate in the UK.
One somewhat decent site for archaeology jobs is Shovelbums. They provide information on job openings, wages, etc. Their yahoo group site is Yahoo! Groups: shovelbums . This is where they post most of their jobs. You might also look for jobs with the Army Corps of Engineers, engineering firms in your area, the Department of Transportation in your area or your local Natural Resources Department. Also, you really should do some volunteer fieldwork or a paid fieldschool and some graduate classes, particularly if you have no prior experience in archaeology. Archaeology jobs can be very difficult to come by even for highly educated archaeologists, so you need as much experience and education in the area as you can get.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the wages for an archaeologist, particularly one starting out, are very, very low. When I received my first offer for archaeology work in 2001 after I got my Master’s, I was offered $7.50 per hour for an 8-hour work day with no benefits. I had to provide my own transportation, and, since it was an hourly job, if it rained too hard for us to work, I didn’t get paid. When I was offered a salaried position with ITARP (Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Project), I was only offered $17,000 per year without benefits. I eventually went into marketing (go figure) because I wanted to settle down with my now-fiance, and I also really enjoyed the creature comforts - you know, four walls, a bathroom, showers, etc. But, if you really love it and it’s really important to you, it’s definitely worth pursuing.
This is one of the major drawbacks of the field. I have my Phd but I also did my fair share of low wage work, especially when I was in the UK. We were only paid a meager monthly stipend to live off of.
Think about the reasoning behind your assertion for lower wages? A dig may have one archaeologist, one assistant (grad student if we’re lucky) and then locals or other hired help to dig. People who will be happy digging in any old midden anywhere and in just about any weather. Sorry, but I spent my time in the mud…I’m happy in my office or research library, dating materials found, and overseeing the final handling of the materials. I am often on site because as of now, I have the most experience in Industrial digs. That will soon change and my role will evolve as well.
But the natural tiers on any archaeological site are there for a reason, because we don’t need a team of archaeologists for a small 100 sqft site. Pompei - ok I’ll give a few more staff archs
Yeah, I know. I’ll still complain about it though.
I just didn’t love it archaeology enough to stick around long enough to work my way up in the pecking order. Plus, my specialization was South American archaeology, so I would have had to move there, which wouldn’t have been a problem if I hadn’t met the best man in the world, damn him.
I’ve had experience in Mississippian archaeology, though, and I’d take it on as a part-time job now since I’m working as a freelance writer and have a lot more freedom as far as job hours go, plus it doesn’t hurt that I’m making a hell of a lot more per hour than I ever used to working for a corporation. I’ve had my feelers out a bit, but haven’t worked in archaeology for a couple of years now, so unless I suddenly become independently wealthy and magically gain several years of experience, my chances of working in archaeology again are not high. But that’s okay. I can still read about it to my heart’s content.
I did some work near the Bear Creek and Pharr mounds in Mississippi. Fascinating sites, and ones I would love to research more…but must digress, I love my job and I have very little free time.
Thank you everyone for the information and advice. Antiquarian, I would love some more information. I expected that to move into this field I would have to go back to school. I currently live in Georgia outside Atlanta, but am open to moving to attend school. Some more questions I have:
I’m still not sure what to call this type of work. Does it have a specific name? (I noticed you referred to it as “the structural area of experimental archaeology.”)
Is there a specific degree/field of study for this area? Or does one, say, get a bachelor’s in engineering and then a masters and/or Ph.D in archaeology? Can you point me to any universities (US or abroad) that are known for this type of work?
What exactly is the “ground floor” for this type of work? Not that I would necessarily mind working “in the mud” for a few years if that’s what it takes, but that seems like it might be just the archaeology part, w/out the engineering part. Is that just something elveryone does regardless of specialty?
Is there a professional association (or a sub-set of one) that I could contact for info? Some digging on the web hasn’t gotten me anywhere yet.
I think that will be enough for now, as I’m sure you’re busy. Thank you in advance for any help you (or anyone else) can offer.
The Register of Professional Archaeologists is a good place to start for professional contacts. These are guys with a real acumen for what they do. I should know - I’m a member
Ok…There is quite a bit to say about what you are asking. It would be better put in an email. If you email me I can give you more pointed answers. Those with a bachelors in something other than anthro-archaeo studies would most likely have had to minor in it to get their grad degree in it. I started college with the notion I was going to be an archaeologist. I did not falter. You already are an engineer. This is a good thing.
Experimental archaeology is usually not a career choice but a facet of a larger field. Experimental archaeology can be explained best with an example. I want to know how a neolithic man made that spear head out of flint. So I get a nice piece of flint or other stone used in the era, and I ‘experiment’ with different methodology to find a hopeful hypothesis as to how they did it. It is a fascinating field and one I truly enjoy.
Good schools for archaeology are Colorado School of Mines (undergrad)*, Brown University, Middlebury, Harvard…are ones that come to mind.
I work with a chap now who is a very bright young man and he came to us from CSM.
Email me and I will be happy to elaborate other points…
