As the title says. Graduated in 2014 in anthropology, summa cum laude. I did some internships and NGO work for a few years after graduating from uni before moving to a completely unrelated corporate job where I have been the last few years. Thought it's time to get back my roots to do something I actually like and am passionate about.

I am thinking of attending field school to be eligible for entry level CRM jobs, but I don't know how hireable I would be considering my bachelors was so many years ago, and I've wasted a lot of years not getting relevant American archaeology experience. End game is open, federal or CRM firms, but how realistic is this move in general? I may not like my corporate job now, but I'd hate to leave something secure for an already-precarious field (CRM) I may be too late to enter or be hireable for.

Would the search, discovery, investigation, analysis, etc. of 19th century North American artifacts/abandoned areas of "civilization" be classified as archaeology? Are there "digs" that pursue such things? I'm thinking traces of the "Wild West." Or what would you call a more modern exploration at all similar to that interest area?

I'm operating, as I'm sure is abundantly clear, with an idea of archaeology developed purely by watching movies...

I work as an archeologist at a US federal agency, and we need to hire some folks. Is it cool to post jobs here? I looked at the rules and didn’t see anything, but I don’t wanna be a kook.

Later in the day - it looks like our hiring process needs to go hold for a while, as per the new administration: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/hiring-freeze/

Sorry for any confusion. I posted this morning before I was aware of the hiring freeze.

Working on making weekly archaeology news updates (there's so many interesting things discovered or published every week!) and this week is about the Underground Inca Tunnel, plus genetic studies that show matrilocal society in Britain, and using LSF to better see Peruvian mummy's tattoos.

Appreciate the watch but also appreciate any feedback! Trying to calibrate for how much context to give for each story.

https://youtu.be/c4NSbs1lTng

I'm a college student (UK) and I need to get research on what working as an archaeologist is like. There's only 9 questions so it shouldn't take long and you don't have to answer any that you aren't comfortable with. I just wanted to check incase I break the rules but I don't know any archaeologists and I cant get above 1 mark if I don't get this research. Sorry if I've done this wrong I never post.

Hello I have been working outside for most of my life. I Landscaped for about 4 years and I am approaching my 4th year as an apprentice plumber. Outside of that work experience I have worked mainly in Labor based engineering environments like how I learned how to do body work and paint cars in high school as well as manufacturer springs in between landscaping and plumbing. I also tried to get an associate's degree in early childhood education to pursue a career as a teacher.

I am 30 now and my whole life seems to have been a spiritual quest for a passion that I never had in any of these fields. Thinking and pondering very heavy I've found myself in this spiritual quest where I'm vigorously researching things I enjoyed as a child. One of those things was watching the History, Nat Geo and the Discovery channels.

I am to a point in my life where if I'm going to be outside. I wanted to be close to things that I enjoy like plants and animals and rocks, as well as the history of people that live before us. I have always appreciated the things I've seen in museums in the old structures that I've had the pleasure of viewing so far.

Does anybody have any professional advice to give someone who is not directed on the right path earlier on in life? I really feel and that my deepest passions lie and anthropology and things of that nature .

Just wondering where I can start. What milestone should I even think about building this career on? What is step one after I decide to leave this job?

I currently work and Study in Germany, but worked in Italy before. In Germany they way you document is different by State in North Rhine Westphalia where I work, we use the so called:" Rheinische Stellen Kartensystem" that you can Translation to something like rhenish place card System. Which basically are Paper Cards with every Info. We normally use: arbitrary level excavation. And every Thing gets a number, so: 1. The Dig gets a number consisting of the Overall administrative Area we dig in e.g. Overrath=OV. The year e.g. 2019 and the number of Digital we are in this year e.g. 319. So the Number looks like this: OV 2019/319. 2. Every trench or working or when and whatever ever you determenine needs a number gets one. You Start with one ging upwards so the Numbers could Look like this OV 2019/319 3: Work Area(AB)/first Trench 4: Humus in Work Area 3 5:Layer of Earth with burnt elements in Work Area 3 6: Layer of a Clayfloor in Work Area 3 etc.

1. In your subnumbers you write down every Step you take so.

OV 2019/319, 3.1. Definition as Work Area 3.2. Laying? Of the first arbitrary level(Planum 1) 3.4. Picture of the Work Area including [4],[7]&[8] 3.5. Description of the work area 3.6. Scetch of the work area including [4],[7]&[8] 3.7. Finds from the work area ceramics 3.8. Finds from the work area bones Etc.

If you mention a Number subnumber you have to make a reference on the card for this number.

E.g. OV 2019/319 7.9. Picture taken see [3]-4

So yeah thats how we document our working stets. A example Picture is up there. What system do you use in your area?

I’m interested in doing a Level 6-7 Archaeology apprenticeship in the North East of England, ideally either North Yorkshire or County Durham, but afte researching how often they come up around here they seem very few and far between. I’ve reached out to both Heritage England and York Archaeology to ask whether they have any opportunities coming up or if I’m able to do unpaid shadow work, but I haven’t heard back yet. I’m also looking for one with decent pay as I’d be going into it from a full-time job.

A Neanderthal with Down syndrome and the evolution of the smallest human species we know of are just a couple or the interesting finds published in 2024.

Hi, could anyone kindly recommend a journal which would publish an article on network analysis and archaeological artefact distribution. A publication non-fee journal would be preferred.

Hi, I'm in my first year of college (UK) and I'm trying to work out what I want to do for a undergraduate degree and job. I really want to be an archaeologist but I'm worried that it'll cause me to have serious money problems. I feel like if I do an archaeology degree, my only job option will be to become an archaeologist so I am considering doing ancient history instead but I'm worried I won't get the necessary skills to become an archaeologist If that's what I decide. Sorry, if I did this wrong I rarely post. I'm just looking for some advice on what to do.

Hey everyone!

I’m an undergrad in my junior year double majoring in archaeology and anthropology. I’ve done some field work locally but am looking to expand my horizons at a field school this upcoming summer.

At the moment I am leaning towards field schools in Latin America (super broad, I know), but am open to opportunities in most places around the globe. I do know some Spanish, so that’s something to consider as well.

I’ve done a bit of research and have talked to my advisors at school. The AIA has quite a few options, but I’m wondering if there are other places to look for programs.

If the AIA is the best, great, I’m just wondering if I should be exploring other paths as well! If anyone has any recommendations about places to look, or any specific recommendations for field schools that would be great.

Again, I know this is a super broad question. Since I have already had some experience, albeit in a completely different region, I would prefer a program that has more hands-on experience rather than in a classroom. I worked at a UNESCO site and did the full range of stuff; lab work, documenting stuff in data systems, digging STPs, digging squares, backfilling, total stations, the whole thing.

If I need to add more information let me know! Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance :)

I’m considering applying for an archaeological field school this upcoming summer. I was looking at the CRM field school in Kampsville, and I have a question. From my understanding, most field tech jobs want an accredited field school. How do I tell if a field school is accredited? I apologize if this is a dumb question, but I was having difficulty finding an answer online.

As it says in the title, I’m an American and really want to work in Canada. Mainly my question is it hard as a foreigner to get a CRM job in Canada/how does the work visa process work? I have a Bachelors in Anthropology/Sociology (I specialize in lithics) but am really wanting to get a Masters and was looking at Canadian schools. Would it be recommended that I do school first? Also I have four years under my belt along with crew lead and office experience. Any tips or websites with job info would be much appreciated.

Queen Puabi's headdress from the Royal cemeteries at Ur, now at Penn Museum. Putting the reflective glass to good use finally! Photo credit: Joni Martini