A classical archaeologist studies early Roman and Greek civilizations, as well as other ancient civilizations in the Mediterranean region. A classical archaeologist excavates items and begins the arduous process of piecing them together to try to figure out what life was like in ancient Greece and Rome by conducting archaeological digs in these areas. Pottery, coins, cloth, and building remnants are examples of these items. Because a classical archaeologist is primarily interested in ancient Greece and Rome, he or she may spend a significant amount of time in the Mediterranean.
Participating in an archaeological dig is one task that a classical archaeologist might undertake. On the dig site, each dig participant has a specific job, such as digging trenches, categorizing finds, or managing the dig. A dig in the Mediterranean could take place in a densely populated city or a rural field. Because dig sites vary, archaeologists must be prepared to work in a variety of environments.
Although many people associate archaeology with participating in an archaeological dig, archaeologists do much more. A large portion of a classical archaeologist’s time is spent examining items discovered at dig sites to determine which items belong together, when and how they were used, and why. Because most artifacts are found in small, broken pieces, this process could take many years.
To piece together the historical puzzle, archaeologists don’t just look at the pieces found at dig sites. They also study history extensively to understand the context in which the items appeared and were used. They have learned more about the culture they are studying as a result of their research, and they may be able to more accurately depict what life was like and the purposes for which items were used.
A classical archaeologist may also publish books based on his or her discoveries. Many people will be interested in these books, including those who are interested in ancient civilizations, those who want to become archaeologists, and other archaeologists working in the field. These books may be used as textbooks in classical archaeology courses at colleges.
Because dig sites have a finite number of jobs, many archaeologists choose to work as college professors. A classical archaeologist may instruct students in ancient Greek or Roman civilizations, classical archaeology, general archaeology, or archaeological techniques. Although archaeologists frequently become college professors, job opportunities remain limited, particularly for classical archaeologists.