Who is an Archaeologist? and What does an Archaeologist do.

03 December,2021  |  By Brainwonders

Who is an Archaeologist?

The majority of people's knowledge of archaeology is derived from television episodes such as Indiana Jones. Unfortunately, archaeology is devoid of Indiana Jones-style adventure. Although archaeologists get to visit interesting locales, what they are truly seeking is information rather than wealth.

Archaeology is one of the most important sources for uncovering the history and piecing together the people and civilizations that have shaped us into who we are today. It is one of the four sub-fields of anthropology and involves the scientific study of the human past.

Archaeologists investigate the origins, development, and behaviour of humans and their cultures in the past and now. They study people's cultures, languages, behaviours, archaeological remnants, and physical features from all around the world. They pose inquiries and construct hypotheses.

What does an Archaeologist do?

Archaeologists employ scientific sample procedures to determine where they should dig on a site. They observe, document, categorise, and evaluate their findings before sharing them with other scientists and the general public.

Archaeologists investigate the methods of prehistoric communities around the world, using knowledge from the humanities, social, physical, and biological disciplines. They also investigate diverse civilizations' habits, values, and social trends.

The archaeologist divides history into eight distinct time eras. Many archaeologists have dedicated their life to studying only one type of archaeology:

• Before 4000 BC, there was the Stone Age.
• Chalcolithic Period: 4000-3150 BC
• The Bronze Age lasted from 3150 to 1200 BC.
• 1200 - 300 BC (Iron Age)
• Hellenistic Period: 330–37 BC
• 37 BC - 324 AD Roman
• Byzantine: 324 - 636 AD
• Islamic: 636 AD – present

Many archaeologists work using sophisticated tools and technologies. Although materials vary by expertise, digging tools, laboratory equipment, statistics and database software, and geographic information systems are frequently used (GIS).

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Typically, an archaeologist will do the following:

1. Analyze data, laboratory samples, and other sources to find patterns in human life, culture, and origins.
2. Create data collection methods that are specific to a speciality, project, or culture.
3. Gather data via observations, interviews, and documents.
4. Plan research initiatives to answer questions and test theories about human behaviour using historical environmental data.
5. Observations made in the field should be recorded and managed.
6. Reports and presentations on study findings are required.
7. Provide organisations with advice on the cultural implications of planned plans, policies, and programmes.

There are various types of archaeologists:

1. Landscape archaeologists scour the landscape for signs of ancient sites.
2. Archaeological surveyors plan and document earthworks, structures, and excavated sites.
3. Field technicians — perform the difficult labour of excavation and relic extraction.
4. Archaeological photographers - Photograph the site before, during, and after excavation, as well as individual artefacts.
5. Archaeological conservators are responsible for preserving artefacts for future generations.
6. Finds experts - dates, analyses, identifies and interprets objects.
7. Archaeological illustrators finish item drawings, work on publication plans, and design and typeset archaeological books and publications.
8. Environmental scientists investigate and reconstruct the connections between previous societies and the surroundings in which they lived. They try to determine these societies' diets, health, and living conditions.
9. Human Bones experts- Experts in identifying and interpreting human skeletal remains
10. Find curators - plan long-term storage and care for artefacts

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What is it like to work as an archaeologist?

Although some archaeologists work in offices, the majority work in laboratories or the field. Fieldwork sometimes necessitates travel. During regular business hours, the majority work full-time.

Archaeologists collaborate at various levels with research organisations, colleges and universities, museums, consulting businesses, private corporations, and government agencies. They can also work for companies that specialise in cultural resource management (CRM). Archaeologists frequently conduct fieldwork, either in their own country or in other countries. This could include studying foreign languages, living in rural areas, or inspecting and excavating archaeological sites. This occupation frequently necessitates long periods of travel and may need labour in distant regions. Archaeologists may work in difficult conditions and require hard physical exertion.

If you have a knack for History and everything dainty, archaeology might be exactly what you enjoy. To get a deeper understanding of what you like, where you could excel, contact Brainwonders and get your psychometric assessments done. You could also opt for Career Counselling as we have on board with us the best counsellors in the industry.

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