The popular image of archaeologists as people who simply dig holes is far from accurate. Archaeology embraces much more than digging, including conservation, interpretation, education, and record keeping amongst other things, and archaeologists can be found in national agencies (like English Heritage, Cadw or Historic Scotland), in local authorities, national parks, museums, universities, planning consultancies, and in private practice.
The four main public archaeological organisations in the UK are English Heritage, Historic Scotland, Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments, and the Environment & Heritage Service (Northern Ireland). Their main role is to bring about the long term conservation and widespread understanding and enjoyment of the historic environment. These organisations employ Inspectors of Ancient Monuments who deal with the preservation and protection of sites and monuments, monitor fieldwork projects and recommend grant aid. Inspectors usually work within a large region, and this generally involves much travelling. Much of the work is taken up with writing reports and giving advice. Historic Buildings Inspectors have a similar role in relation to buildings and have detailed knowledge of art history or architecture. English Heritage also contains the Centre for Archaeology part of whose role is to advise on archaeological activities funded by English Heritage, and forms a mobile field team for surveys, evaluations, watching briefs and excavations.
English Heritage also has sections concerned with the conservation of finds, illustration and publication, and specialised scientific services provided through the Ancient Monuments Laboratory. Most of the national agencies have education services which provide information about educational opportunities at national monuments, educational resources and advice.
The main aim of the Royal Commissions on Ancient & Historical Monuments (for Scotland and Wales) is to compile and make available surveys of ancient monuments, buildings and other field remains of all periods, details of which are collated into national databases for each country. An important aspect of their work is aerial archaeology, and the curation of major collections of aerial photographs.
The National Trust (England and Wales), founded in 1895, exists to promote the permanent preservation for the nation of land with outstanding natural features and animal and plant life, and buildings of beauty or historic interest. There are estimated to be more than 40,000 sites of archaeological interest in the ownership of the National Trust, about 6 per cent of the national total. The NT employs a number of Archaeological Field Officers who record, survey and occasionally excavate sites in its care. The equivalent body in Scotland is the National Trust for Scotland.
The National Parks also employ archaeologists to look after archaeological sites in their area. Such posts include recording, surveying and sometimes excavating sites.
A few other national agencies or privatised utilities, such as The Forestry Commission and Thames Water employ field archaeologists, as do a growing number of civil engineering, architectural and planning practices.
Several other organisations, such as the Council for British Archaeology and Council for Scottish Archaeology, employ small staffs. These bodies provide a bridge between amateur and professional archaeology, acting to promote the subject with emphasis on information, education, conservation and publication.
A majority of county councils in England and many Scottish districts, and a growing number of district and city authorities in England, employ archaeologists. An important role for most of these posts is to provide advice on the conservation or recording of archaeological remains when applications for planning permission are being determined, and to ensure that fieldwork is carried out to sufficient standard.
Such curatorial work relies upon the Sites and Monuments Record: a database of the historic environment, usually kept at county or regional level. An SMR should have its own team to keep it updated, and to assist the local authority in monitoring planning applications.
Most archaeological fieldwork occasioned by development is carried out by independent units. These vary a good deal in size and organisation, some being attached to museums or local authorities, others to universities, or existing as independent trusts or charities.
Units and trusts provide the bulk of jobs in the field - such as surveying, excavation, photography, finds processing - together with the special expertise needed to bring field projects to publication (eg the study of animal bones, human remains, artefacts, finds conservation, editorial and drawing skills).
Developers who hire their own archaeological contractors may turn to a consultant for advice. Consultants may also be called upon to advise local authorities on particular issues, and are sometimes engaged by national agencies or the private sector to undertake specialised research.
Museums offer a range of opportunities. Keepers of Archaeology may be involved in fieldwork, but are more often responsible for the curation of artefacts and related tasks of interpretation and research. An important part of the job of the museum archaeologist is to deal with inquiries from the public, often identifying finds that they have brought in. There are also opportunities for conservators.
Heritage interpretation centres are becoming more common with emphasis on reconstruction and presentation to the public, with commensurate opportunities for consultants, and in the fields of marketing and design.
Over 50 universities and colleges of higher education offer careers as lecturers or technicians. Competition for lecturers' posts is fierce, and is not usually to be considered without a doctorate, or an equivalent level of achievement. Universities are centres of archaeological research; some of the most interesting and progressive projects are based within them. A number of universities also foster specialised aspects of the discipline: for example maritime, aerial or industrial archaeology.
Over 100 schools and colleges offer archaeology at GCSE or A level and will look for archaeologically trained teachers. However, although aspects of archaeology can be found in National Curriculum subjects, those wanting to go into teaching in schools should do joint honours courses. On the other hand, national agencies, and some archaeology units and trusts employ Education Officers, though these are more usually found in museums.
Many fewer than there are those qualified to apply for them. Moreover, outside the national agencies, local authorities and universities, jobs tend to be short-term and career prospects limited. However those who are committed and persevere often manage to make a career in archaeology. A survey in 1998 estimated that there were 614 organisations employing 4,425 archaeologists.
Many career archaeologists have a degree in archaeology, though some have equivalent qualifications in related fields such as the arts, social or pure sciences. At undergraduate level, archaeology can be studied on its own or with other subjects. Postgraduate qualifications may be taken by those who want to become involved in archaeology after taking other degrees or those who want to specialise in a particular aspect of archaeology. For further details see our factsheet Archaeology in higher education.
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and their Scottish equivalent (SVQs) on many aspects of museum work are becoming available and provide alternative practical-based qualifications.
Many career archaeologists are members of the Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA) which exists to validate professional competence and to promote professional standards. Applicants for admission to IFA membership are validated on the basis of their academic and vocational qualifications, practical experience and documented achievements. IFA membership is increasingly preferred by archaeological employers.
The Institute of Field Archaeologists (see below for their address) runs a Jobs Information Service. The Service provides subscribers with a weekly collation of all archaeological jobs advertised in the national press (including Scottish, Welsh and Irish papers), as well as a `Jobs Sought' page where you can advertise your availability for work.
Jobs are commonly advertised in The Guardian and Independent newspapers. The Museums Journal, and specialised periodicals in the fields of architecture, planning and local government also carry advertisements.
The British Archaeological Jobs Resource web site is also a very useful source of information.
A booklet with information about various careers, Working in History, is available from COIC, PO Box 348, Bristol BS99 7FE.
A good source is British Archaeology, published six times a year by the CBA.
If you wish to obtain this publication, or you have any specific queries regarding archaeological careers contact either the Education or Information Officers at the CBA, St.Mary's House, 66 Bootham, York, YO30 7BZ, tel 01904 671417, fax 01904 671384, email info@britarch.ac.uk.
Points of contact (remember to enclose a stamped addressed envelope):
Council for British Archaeology
St.Mary's House,
66 Bootham,
York,
YO30 7BZ
web: http://www.britarch.ac.uk
Institute of Field Archaeologists
University of Reading
2 Earley Gate
READING
RG6 6AU
web: http://www.archaeologists.net
Factsheet content last revised January 2001
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Today's date: 5/7/2008
This page last updated:
3/4/2007 10:59
