Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Archaeologist
What archaeologists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an archaeologist?
Drive to the site. From there, the day usually includes survey sites, excavate, and record finds. Field projects may last weeks; lab and office work in between.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an archaeologist working full time.
- Drive to the site.
- Lay out units.
- Excavate in levels.
- Screen soil.
- Record a feature.
- Bag and tag artifacts.
- Write field notes.
Where archaeologists work
Archaeologists work outdoors at sites and in labs and offices.
Hours and schedule
Field projects may last weeks; lab and office work in between.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Survey sites
- Excavate
- Record finds
- Analyze artifacts
- Write reports
- Consult with tribes
- Advise on compliance
Tools you’ll use every day
- Trowels
- Screens
- Total stations
- GPS
- GIS
- Cameras
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Discover history
- Outdoor fieldwork
- Travel
- Cultural preservation
What’s hard
- Seasonal field jobs
- Low pay early on
- Travel away from home
- Weather
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love history
- I like fieldwork
- I’m patient
- I can travel
- I respect other cultures
- I don’t mind dirt
Not sure? Take the free Archaeologist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow trench safety
- Watch heat and weather
- Watch for wildlife
- Follow site safety plans