Never become an archaeologist if you want a quiet, comfortable and wealthy
life. It is a profession for the dedicated and persistent, the intellectually
curious and the physically fit. Archaeological studies vary so much in the
location and period in history they cover that no one can ever be an expert in
all of it. Enjoyment and professional satisfaction lie in discovering and
interpreting the remains of past societies. Painstaking detective work leads to
the discovery of how people lived long ago, their customs, clothes, coins,
implements and food. The buildings, roads and modes of transport they used,
their diseases and their funerals are all grist to the mill for archaeologists
and historians.
Archaeologists are engaged in a broad range of activities from prospecting
and analysing aerial photographs to DNA studies, from developing better
conservation methods and using computers to model how things used to look, to
the application of dating techniques.
Most archaeological digs are poorly funded and many rely on volunteers who
are prepared to work for little more than their board and lodging. But the work
could be almost anywhere in the world, so an attractive ingredient is that it
can provide an opportunity to study peoples of the past and the customs and
cultures of the present.
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Around thirty universities in Britain offer degree courses in archaeology and
every year about 400 students graduate in the subject. Most studies cover a
range of general archaeology but some universities offer the opportunity to
specialise in particular areas of the subject. At the University of Birmingham
one can specialise in classical Greek and Roman archaeology while Nene College
offers courses in industrial archaeology. Environmental archaeology can be
studied at University of Edinburgh. The Institute of Archaeology, University
College London, runs a variety of courses including Egyptian, medieval and West
Asian archaeology in addition to its degree in general archaeology.
The subject can be studied as a science or as an arts degree, so while
pre-university qualifications in the sciences are advantageous they are not
entirely necessary. Yet because competition for places is strong, high grades in
pre-entry qualifications, such as A levels, are often required.
Studies begin with introductory courses and teaching in the techniques used
in field research. Graphical and computer applications are important and must be
learnt. Each university undertakes its own research and undergraduate students
benefit from case studies gleaned from this. At the University of Edinburgh, for
example, Scottish archaeology covering the pre-history and early history of the
country, is an important aspect of the course. The University of Liverpool
includes studies of materials, uranium and magnetic dating plus archaeological
computing and statistics as a part of its BSc course.
All degree students are required to spend some time working in the field,
usually during summer vacations. The first experience is usually based in
Britain but later studies may well be abroad, often in Mediterranean countries.
A dissertation on a research topic is the norm for students in their final
year.
Peter Durnford became an archaeologist before studying his degree at the
Institute of Archaeology and has continued to make his career as an
archaeologist since. He has excavated ancient metal workings in Peru, and an
iron age hillfort in North Wales. Early in his career he progressed from
volunteer to supervisor when he was employed at a dig in Hertford. The
excavations was open to the elements, so the season was limited from April to
October. His next move was to an administrative job at the Royal Commission for
Historic Monuments. From there he joined the Museum of London, one of the
largest employers of archaeologists in Britain. While there he worked on the
Billingsgate excavation in London. 鈥淭he variety is incredible,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou
can spend some time up to your knees in a medieval cess pit or washing old bones
and pottery.鈥�
Postgraduate degrees in archaeology are for those who wish to specialise in
one area of this vast subject. More than twenty universities offer a broad range
of masters courses, some of which have a strong scientific element. The
University of Bradford has a course on scientific methods in archaeology. Among
those offered by University College London are archaeological conservation and
field and analytical techniques. The University of Manchester has a specialist
course in biomolecular archaeology, while the University of Birmingham runs
several courses including practical archaeology, industrial archaeology and
computer applications of archaeological ceramics analysis.
Experience plus postgraduate studies such as these can lead to a job as a
museum conservator with responsibility for a collection of objects. Other useful
courses of study for those wishing to pursue a career in that field include the
MA in museums and gallery management at City university, and museum studies at
the universities of Leicester, Newcastle and Manchester and at University
College London. A relevant degree or experience of museum work is usually sought
from applicants for such courses.
The ways into an archaeology career are well trodden. The Council for British
Archaeology, in York, publishes CBA Briefing, which lists excavation
opportunities. Details of these and much more are also available on
www.britarch.ac.uk. If you feel the need of a network, it also publishes the
Directory of British Archaeology with more than 700 names and addresses
of people in archaeology. The 1400 strong Institute of Field Archaeologists,
based at the University of Reading, also runs a job information service
providing weekly newsletters to its members. (This comes from the Metallurgy and
Materials Department at the University of Birmingham (0121 414 3344)). There are
numerous other organisations with an interest in archaeology including the 250-
member Society of Museum Archaeologists, which is run from Andover Museum (01264
366283), the Association of Industrial Archaeologists and the Society of
Medieval Archaeologists.
All over the world people are painstakingly digging up their past. The
Archaeology Abroad Service helps people wishing to participate in excavations
abroad and is run from the Institute of Archaeology, 31 Gordon Square, London.
It all adds up to a rich tapestry of opportunity in a subject which is so
multifaceted that boredom would seem to be just about impossible.