Historical archaeologists examine ancient artifacts and relics to learn about human history. Most archaeologists specialize in a specific period of human history and conduct excavations to uncover historic relics that shed light on the past. While some archaeologists work alone, the majority work in groups or for universities.
Most full-time historical archaeologists have a bachelor’s degree in archaeology, and they study both history and science in college because they need to know chemistry and other branches of science to preserve artifacts. During the school semesters, many career archaeologists teach at colleges and lead excavations. Some people work part-time as historical archaeologists, conducting small excavations on weekends, and the majority of them are self-taught amateurs rather than scientists.
Museums frequently hire well-known historical archaeologists to excavate sites where artifacts have been discovered in the past. The dig is funded by the museum or its sponsors, who then pay archaeologists to conduct research at the museum to learn more about the relics discovered during the excavation. To educate the public about the discoveries made, some archaeologists hold seminars and lead tours around museums.
Many archaeologists search for evidence of prehistoric civilizations such as Stone Age man or the Neanderthals all over the world. Archaeologists studying ancient ruins from the Greek, Roman, and Egyptian empires flock to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries in large numbers. Other archeologists are more interested in learning about more recent cultures, such as the Native Americans or the Mayans.
A historical archaeologist must not only use existing knowledge of ancient cultures and societies to identify ancient weapons, clothing, and jewelry, but he or she must also develop theories to explain past events. As new discoveries refute previously widely held beliefs about a society’s culture or practices, archaeologists revise theories about past cultures. They educate the public about historical figures and their lives, as well as provide glimpses into the daily lives of ordinary people in previous centuries.
Archaeologists frequently collaborate with academics from other fields, such as geologists or Egyptologists, to analyze ancient artifacts using their combined knowledge. A geologist can help the archaeologist tell whether markings on rocks or ruins were man made or caused by natural elements. Egyptologists and others who research ancient cultures can assist ancient archaeologists in identifying artifacts by looking for characteristics associated with specific cultures.