Public Administration & LegalISCO 2632
Archaeologist
An archaeologist is a person who studies past civilisations and settlements by collecting and assessing the material traces they left.
Check yourself in a minute: archaeologist
Rate 5 of the 38 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
manage research data
interact professionally in research and professional environments
disseminate results to the scientific community
operate open source software
speak different languages
About archaeologist
The work begins with objects, structures, fossils, relics and artefacts and leads to conclusions about things those objects do not state directly: social hierarchy, language, culture and politics. The archaeologist works with methods drawn from several fields at once — stratigraphy, which is the reading of the order of layers, typology, three-dimensional analysis, mathematical calculation and modelling. The archaeologist also applies source criticism, assessing the origin and reliability of finds.
An archaeologist also works as a researcher: they apply for research funding, draft scientific papers and technical documentation, and disseminate results to the scientific community. They also promote knowledge transfer, passing research results on beyond the scientific community.
Research ethics and scientific integrity govern the work, and archaeology adds to them the handling of protected monuments and of human remains. The job combines fieldwork with study in a laboratory. Permission to excavate is granted by the heritage authority of the country concerned.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a archaeologist.
1
Fieldwork and Excavation Management
- Plan and execute archaeological excavations using proper stratigraphy and recording methods
- Carefully extract, document and catalogue artefacts and ecofacts from excavation sites
- Maintain detailed site records, photographs and measurements in accordance with professional standards
- Supervise field teams and ensure compliance with health, safety and heritage protection regulations
2
Artefact Analysis and Interpretation
- Apply scientific analytical methods including 3D modelling, typology and composition analysis
- Interpret findings in context of cultural, social and political systems of past societies
- Perform dating and provenance analysis using scientific techniques and comparative methods
- Draw conclusions about settlement patterns, hierarchy systems and historical development
3
Research Data Management
- Manage and organise large volumes of excavation data, photographs and measurements
- Create and maintain searchable digital databases and archives for research materials
- Perform mathematical and statistical calculations to analyse quantitative data
4
Academic Writing and Dissemination
- Write and publish peer-reviewed scientific papers and monographs in Polish and international journals
- Prepare technical documentation, research reports and grant proposals
- Present research findings at academic conferences and professional meetings
- Communicate discoveries to general public through exhibitions, articles and media engagement
5
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Collaborate with specialists in geology, chemistry, anthropology and other related disciplines
- Interact professionally with museum curators, heritage agencies and international research teams
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (38)
archaeologyarchaeologyThe study of the recovery and examination of material culture left behind from human activity in the past.source criticismsource criticismProcess of classifying various informational sources into different categories such as historical and non-historical, or primary and secondary, and evaluating those sources on the basis of their conte...cultural geographycultural geographyThe subfield of geography that deals with the cultural values and artefacts of people, as well as the cultural diversity of the society. It studies how cultural aspects relate to the places where they...scientific modellingscientific modellingScientific activity consisting in selecting the relevant aspects of a situation and aiming to represent physical processes, empirical objects and phenomena to allow a better understanding, visualisati...excavation techniquesexcavation techniquesThe methods to remove rock and soil, used in an excavation site and the associated risks.manage research datamanage research dataProduce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be fami...interact professionally in research and professional environmentsinteract professionally in research and professional environmentsShow consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.disseminate results to the scientific communitydisseminate results to the scientific communityPublicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.operate open source softwareoperate open source softwareOperate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.execute analytical mathematical calculationsexecute analytical mathematical calculationsApply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.evaluate research activitiesevaluate research activitiesReview proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers, including through open peer review.demonstrate disciplinary expertisedemonstrate disciplinary expertiseDemonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, re...increase the impact of science on policy and societyincrease the impact of science on policy and societyInfluence evidence-informed policy and decision making by providing scientific input to and maintaining professional relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable datamanage findable accessible interoperable and reusable dataProduce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessar...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.apply for research fundingapply for research fundingIdentify key relevant funding sources and prepare research grant application in order to obtain funds and grants. Write research proposals.promote open innovation in researchpromote open innovation in researchApply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.promote the transfer of knowledgepromote the transfer of knowledgeDeploy broad awareness of processes of knowledge valorisation aimed to maximise the two–way flow of technology, intellectual property, expertise and capability between the research base and industry o...mentor individualsmentor individualsMentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to the individual to help them in their personal development, as well as adapting the support to the specific n...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...develop professional network with researchers and scientistsdevelop professional network with researchers and scientistsDevelop alliances, contacts or partnerships, and exchange information with others. Foster integrated and open collaborations where different stakeholders co-create shared value research and innovation...integrate gender dimension in researchintegrate gender dimension in researchTake into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...manage open publicationsmanage open publicationsBe familiar with Open Publication strategies, with the use of information technology to support research, and with the development and management of CRIS (current research information systems) and ins...conduct research across disciplinesconduct research across disciplinesWork and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.communicate with a non-scientific audiencecommunicate with a non-scientific audienceCommunicate about scientific findings to a non-scientific audience, including the general public. Tailor the communication of scientific concepts, debates, findings to the audience, using a variety of...draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationdraft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationDraft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesapply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesApply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsi...research designresearch designThe set of methods and techniques of research that are used to conduct a study. It includes practical steps in research such as purpose statement, data collection, methodology, and data analysis.synthesise informationsynthesise informationCritically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.think abstractlythink abstractlyDemonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences.historyhistoryThe discipline that studies, analyses, and presents the events of the past related to humans.do historical researchdo historical researchUse scientific methods to research history and culture.publish academic researchpublish academic researchConduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achiev...cultural historycultural historyField that combines historical and anthropological approaches for recording and studying past customs, arts, and manners of a group of people taking into account their political, cultural, and social ...write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
Optional (38) — show
osteologyosteologyThe scientific study of human and animal skeletons, bone structure and specific bones. Osteology examines the bone structure as a whole and specific bones. The research can focus on diseases, function...paleographypaleographyThe study of handwriting and its processes and forms to decipher, interpret and transcribe ancient manuscripts and handwriting styles from different historical periods.geographic information systemsgeographic information systemsThe tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).conservation techniquesconservation techniquesThe procedures, instruments, techniques, materials and chemicals used in conservation and archiving.SanskritSanskritThe Sanskrit language.art historyart historyThe history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.epigraphyepigraphyThe historical study of ancient inscriptions on materials such as stone, wood, glas, metal and leather.Ancient GreekAncient GreekThe Ancient Greek language.geologygeologySolid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.LatinLatinThe Latin language.archaeobotanyarchaeobotanyThe study of plant remains at archaeological sites to infer how past civilisations used their environment and to learn about available food sources.anthropologyanthropologyThe study of development and behaviour of human beings.geographygeographyThe scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth. It explores the soc...architectural conservationarchitectural conservationThe practice of recreating forms, features, shapes, compositions, and architectural techniques of past constructions in order to preserve them.assist with geophysical surveysassist with geophysical surveysAssist with a range of specific, geophysical surveys, using diverse methods such as seismic, magnetic and electromagnetic methods.perform laboratory testsperform laboratory testsCarry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.create collection conservation plancreate collection conservation planCreate a comprehensive, high-level overview conservation plan for the collection.write research proposalswrite research proposalsSynthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the ...assess conservation needsassess conservation needsAssess and list the needs for conservation/restoration, in relation to current use and planned future use.conduct land surveysconduct land surveysConduct surveys to determine the location and features of natural and man-made structures, on surface level as well as underground and underwater. Operate electronic distance-measuring equipment and d...use geographic information systemsuse geographic information systemsWork with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).perform underwater investigationsperform underwater investigationsPerform investigative activities, searches, or rescue missions underwater by using diving equipment and complying with safety regulations.collect samples for analysiscollect samples for analysisCollect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.teach in academic or vocational contextsteach in academic or vocational contextsInstruct students in the theory and practice of academic or vocational subjects, transferring the content of own and others' research activities.study aerial photosstudy aerial photosUse aerial photos to study phenomena on Earth's surface.identify archaeological findsidentify archaeological findsExamine archaeological evidence found at dig sites in order to identify and classify it.develop scientific theoriesdevelop scientific theoriesFormulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.organise an exhibitionorganise an exhibitionOrganise and structure an exhibition in a strategic way, making the artworks more accessible to public.supervise projects for the conservation of heritage buildingssupervise projects for the conservation of heritage buildingsSupervise protection and restoration projects of cultural heritage. Use your expertise to make sure the project runs smoothly.study ancient inscriptionsstudy ancient inscriptionsInterpret, research and investigate ancient insciptions on stone, marble or wood such as Egyptian hieroglyphs.apply blended learningapply blended learningBe familiar with blended learning tools by combining traditional face-to-face and online learning, using digital tools, online technologies, and e-learning methods.conduct field workconduct field workConducts field work or research which is the collection of information outside of a laboratory or workplace setting. Visit places in order to collect specific information about the field.work on excavation sitework on excavation siteExcavate material evidence of past human activity using hand picks, shovels, brushes, etc.collect data using GPScollect data using GPSGather data in the field using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices.interpret pedigree chartsinterpret pedigree chartsConstruct and interpret diagrams that show the occurrence and appearance of a particular gene and its ancestors from one generation to the next.surveyingsurveyingThe technique of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them.geological time scalegeological time scaleSystem of chronological measurement dividing geologic history into several temporal divisions and subdivisions that take ancient life, geography, and climates into account.record archaeological findsrecord archaeological findsTake detailed notes qne make drawings and photographs of archaeological finds at the dig site.
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Frequently asked questions
What does an archaeologist do?
Archaeologists research and study past civilisations and settlements through collecting and inspecting material remains. They analyse and draw conclusions on a wide array of matters such as hierarchy systems, linguistics, culture, and politics based on the study of objects, structures, fossils, relics, and artifacts left behind by these peoples. Archaeologists utilise various interdisciplinary methods such as stratigraphy, typology, 3D analysis, mathematics, and modelling.
What skills does an archaeologist need?
An archaeologist needs 38 essential skills, including archaeology, source criticism, cultural geography, scientific modelling, excavation techniques.
Will AI replace archaeologist jobs?
The AI disruption score for archaeologist is 21/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation, execute analytical mathematical calculations, write scientific publications. Most resilient: mentor individuals, perform underwater investigations, interact professionally in research and professional environments.
AI Replacement Risk
21/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills38
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