Field or laboratory internships are the two most common types of archaeology internships. Each internship type offers a unique perspective on the overall archaeological undergraduate degree, such as finding and categorizing historical artifacts. Both internships can be completed concurrently for a well-rounded educational experience.
Internships in field archaeology are well-known excavation projects that unearth buried bones or other human artifacts such as pots and tools. Interns will learn proper brushing techniques to preserve the integrity of the artifacts as they are slowly removed from the ground. Interns usually take extensive notes and learn to use a camera effectively to record the detailed excavation process from various angles in addition to physical discovery.
Learning how to use measuring instrumentation, such as a total station, is an important part of field archaeology internships. To record the angular position and dimensions of the excavated area, these instruments require a lot of practice; the devices are also used to determine the extent of the excavation, such as boundary lines and ground elevations. Interns are usually accompanied by experienced archaeologists who ensure that all instrumentation data is correct and accurate.
Internships in laboratory archaeology are mostly found at universities or museums. Much of the historical discovery work is done in a controlled environment; interns may use specialized cleaning agents to remove impurities from excavated artifacts so that the true exterior surface of the object can be observed. For historical purposes, markings and engravings are usually photographed and analyzed.
In laboratory archaeology internships, computer and database work is common; each artifact must be labeled and categorized within the facility’s main database. To avoid costly mistakes when entering large amounts of data into a computer, meticulous attention to detail is required. Certain batches of data may be analyzed by some interns before they continue to ensure that all artifacts are correctly entered into the database.
Artifacts are usually organized for public display by museum workers. For display purposes, a large animal skeleton will need to be meticulously pieced together; the intern will supervise the skeleton’s construction and correct any problematic bone connections. Interns will also check the historical accuracy of newly created exhibits at the museum. A historical Mayan pot, for example, will not be displayed with the Aztecs; the intern must ensure that artifacts are not displayed incorrectly.
Many college degree programs require both internships to be completed in order to graduate. Prospective graduates can get a glimpse of future career options through both laboratory and field work. Most archaeological employers prefer candidates who have had both types of internships.