University of Kent > Careers > Choosing a Career >I Want to Work in ...

	Careers Home Page	Choosing a Career	Applications and Interviews
	Employability	I want to work in ...	Practice Aptitude Tests
	Employability Skills	Postgraduate Study	Working in Kent
	Work Experience	Vacancies	Careers Events on Campus

I Want to Work In … Archaeology

Archaeologists can be found in many workplaces and organisations – not just in muddy holes in the ground! Archaeologists are employed in national agencies, local authorities, museums, universities, planning consultancies, and private practice, undertaking a wide variety of activities from field practice to laboratory work, information management to education, specialist research to artifact curation and display.

If you want a career in archaeology, you should get as much relevant experience as possible. Develop practical 'hands on' skills through volunteering on digs and with local archaeological societies – even if you are only given dull and routine tasks, this will help to increase your skills and confidence, give you a network of contacts and give you something extra to put on your CV when applying for jobs.

See the Occupational Profile at www.prospects.ac.uk/links/archaeologist and our What can I do with my degree in .... Classical and Archaeological Studies page www.kent.ac.uk/careers/classics.htm

Forensic Archaeology and Forensic Anthropology

There are four main areas where traditional archaeology and criminal investigation come together: recovery (excavation techniques; evidence recording; materials recovery and conservation); search (aerial photography; survey); skeletal analysis (identification; physical anthropology); and analytical science (dating; species identification). Most forensic archaeologists are employed by universities, but other possible employers include large police forces and museums.

It's a highly competitive area and you will rarely find vacancies advertised as it's such a small field. To get in you need a relevant Masters degree (see below) : a PhD would be even better. You also need to network - talk to people doing the job about possible openings. See our Creative Careers Search page www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/CJ.htm

Postgraduate Courses in Forensic Archaeology

• Cranfield University - Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology MSc/PgDip www.cranfield.ac.uk/students/courses/page1491.html
• UCL - MSc in Forensic Archaeological Science
• Bournemouth University - MSc Forensic Archaeology
• Bradford University - Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Investigation

Forensic Archaeology Links

• About.com http://archaeology.about.com/od/forensic/Forensic_and_Human_Skeletal_Archaeology.htm
• British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology www.babao.org.uk
• American Board of Forensic Anthropology www.theabfa.org/index.html

• Chicora Foundation www.chicora.org
• See also our Forensic Science Careers page www.kent.ac.uk/careers/forensicsci.htm

Sources of information on UK opportunities in archaeology

• The Council for British Archaeology  www.britarch.ac.uk Includes a series of factsheets www.britarch.ac.uk/cba/factshts.html covering issues such as “Getting Started in Archaeology” and “A Job in Archaeology”
• British Archaeological Jobs Resource www.bajr.org “ your gateway to Archaeology Jobs, Advice, Books & Guides and Resources”
• A Guide To Amateur Archaeology www.peoplefinders.com/article-the-history-of-people-a-guide-to-amateur-archaeology.aspx
  great resources for information and ideas on getting started with archaeology.
• Association for Environmental Archaeology www.envarch.net – includes vacancies and studentships
• The Association for Industrial Archaeology www.industrial-archaeology.org.uk
• British Archaeology magazine www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba.html
• Canterbury Archaeological Trust www.canterburytrust.co.uk
• Current Archaeology career guide www.archaeology.co.uk/advice/a-career-in-archaeology.htm
• Careers advice from the Council for Scottish Archaeology www.scottisharchaeology.org.uk/advice/careers.html
• The Institute for Archaeologists www.archaeologists.net
  Includes “Profiling the Profession”: a survey and assessment of employment within professional archaeology in the UK
• Journal of Archaeology "Antiquity" http://antiquity.ac.uk
• Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk
• Kent Archaeological Field School www.kafs.co.uk Short courses with an emphasis on the practical. 'Practical Archaeology' magazine for members
• London Archaeologist www.londonarchaeologist.org.uk
• RESCUE - the British Archaeological Trust www.rescue-archaeology.org.uk
• Training Online Resource Centre for Archaeology www.torc.org.uk searchable databases of all the archaeology courses available in the UK
• Archaeolink www.archaeolink.com/archaeological_job_and_career_in.htm career information, advanced study opportunities and jobs

Sources of information on overseas opportunities in archaeology

• Archaeology Abroad www.britarch.ac.uk/archabroad/ the guide to archaeological fieldwork opportunities outside the UK
• European Association of Archaeologists www.e-a-a.org
• Positions vacant ( US Jobs site) www.prehistory.org   collection of pages, sites, links relating to the Pacific region.
• Archaeological Institute of America www.archaeological.org allows you to search for fieldwork opportunities world-wide.
• Passport In Time www.passportintime.com voluntary projects in many US states.
• Shovelbums www.shovelbums.org – listings of archaeological jobs and field schools

Last fully updated 2011

© These pages are copyright of the University of Kent Careers Advisory Service.
The information and advice given in these pages is primarily for the benefit of University of Kent students and graduates.
You are most welcome to link to these pages but should not use content in other ways without our permission.
Page maintained by Bruce Woodcock Please email me if you wish to make any suggestions which would improve our services.