Description: Performs archaeological survey and excavation, under the supervision of a Principal Investigator.
Alternate Titles: Field Hand, Field Archaeologist. Also, more casually, Dig Bum or Shovel Bum
Duties: Pedestrian survey, hand excavation (shovel testing, bucket auger testing, 1x1 meter units, test trenches). Sometimes field technicians take notes, draw maps, excavate archaeological features. You may even help run a transit and stadia rod to create topographic maps. You may learn digital mapping with GPS/GIS. You may learn how to take botanical or radiocarbon samples without contaminating them.
Locations: All over the world, with cultural resource firms and universities both.
Job Type: Usually short-term temporary positions; they don't usually come with benefits, although there are exceptions.
Availability of Employment: Very numerous; but you must be willing to travel.
Education Level Required: To get paid, you'll need a Bachelor's degree in Anthro or similar field, plus experience. Occasionally firms will take people working on their bachelor's degrees.
Experience Tells: Are you a field technician with a story to share? Terrific! Email me. Several field techs have written into to discuss the pros and cons of this lifestyle. Take a look in the Experience Tells linkboxes.
