I recently learned that part of the law might make an exception for the Smithsonian Museums and I thought that was odd. Can anyone explain why their not required to return Native American remains?

Hello! So this is a bit of an interesting question. I recently graduated college in May and started working for a tiny museum in a small town. It pays enough to cover my bills, but I'm not fond of the work environment. My boss is pretty toxic and I'm honestly looking to leave. I got an offer to work as an ARCH Technician for a CRM company but they can't guarantee that another job will follow afterwards. In y'alls experience, how quickly after a project were you able to get on another one? I really want to get some CRM experience but am scared to make the jump if I can't sustain myself. Thanks in advance?

It’s been said that the Spanish burned all but 4 maya books in their conquest of the new world. I was wondering how that can be true with so much still undiscovered? Kind of like the Dead Sea scrolls or something but for the Maya. Anyways just a thought. Thanks

Hopefully my question makes sense here. Currently I'm a sophomore in College going for Biochemistry undergraduate degree with the original intention of going to pharmaceutical research after grad school, but I've recently grown a massive soft spot for ancient history and I would love to combine two of these interests together in a career. What's the typical path for someone to take to find a job in a lab working on archeological specimens (plaster samples, carbon dating, etc.) I've tried looking online but I haven't seen a lot of helpful information.

Anything advice would be much appreciated :)

How do you deal with being away from your family so much? I'm finding it tough to be away from my kid on work trips and I only have to travel about once a month or so. I've talked to some archaeologists who are gone for months at a time.

Come to think of it, most of those parents seem to be dad's. I'm not the only archaeologist mom who travels regularly, am I? How do you all, especially moms, do it?

Pursuing archaeology as a major has me constantly second guessing myself because I am afraid that I will not be able to support myself solely with archaeology, which breaks my heart. I go back and forth between, "I love archaeology" and "I don't want to be a barista during the off-season".

Recently, I have been looking into geology because I find the field interesting, but not to the same degree that I like archaeology (like a second choice in order to have enough money to survive). Somehow, I only recently came to the realization that I can become a geology archaeologist (geo-archaeologist? I am not sure what is the correct term) and/or an archaeologist with a focus in geology (I am still researching this career combination with not many results so if there is a difference between them do not be afraid to tell me what makes them different).

In my head, becoming a geo-archaeologist will allow me to work in more in archaeology during the on-season, then work in geology during the off-season in order to provide myself with a more stable income. Right now this is just an idea, but I am researching, contacting archaeologists and archaeological societies, and asking Reddit to see if my idea is feasible and has ever been done by anyone.

As I said, I am still researching this idea, but beyond this I am curious. What education do you think this would require? Would I be able to have multiple focuses and specialties in archaeology? (I like geology and it's important in archaeology, but I really like history and don't want to be held back from taking part in certain aspects of excavations and other surveys because I am also a geologist).

At this point I am considering majoring in archaeology and geology (though specifically I do not know). I am taking a year off after my first academic year at my university to figure out what I plan to major in and what field I go into. I know that archaeology and geology both require a master's degree in order to be more successful at this time--geology I think (because it is similar to archaeology since some fields of geology broadly focus on the history of the Earth) and hope may not require a master's degree to do well but I am not confident that it won't require a master's.

Ok so to set my background… I’m a junior Archaeology major in the U.S attending a fairly prestigious school and I have experience with pedestrian surveys (some experience with total station mapping), lab experience (cleaning sorting cataloging) I’ve done shovel test pits as a part of a phase 1 archaeological survey. I have also participated in a full scale excavation of a colonial site.

That’s my field experience.

I’m looking for my next steps if you will and I’m looking at my options. The first option is to attend a field school this summer. My college has a good relationship with one school in particular. The only problem is this school will cost 6-7k on top of my tuition which is kind of daunting. Other options would be summer research with my college or maybe trying to do something through the National park service. If anyone has any other tips or options I’m not thinking of I’d really appreciate it. I’m just trying to get as much experience as I can without shelling out more money than I already am.

I’m in the process of gaining the required basics for the Master’s program I will be applying to, and I keep coming back to the question of how to complete a field school? I would have enough vacation time to take off two weeks for this course, but I noticed most field schools tend to be a month long or more. Is anyone aware of shorter field school options that would be available?

Once in the master’s program, I plan to keep my job and complete it part-time, but just need to cross this hurdle first.

I'm talking pleasant weather, decent sandy loam, and cool artifacts to find.

I’m in the market for a new backpack for dogs and surveys. Preferably something waterproof as I’m often in damp environments. Does anyone have a brand and model they swear by for work??

So I’m 25 and about to graduate my bachelors. I have some teachers who are only a few years older than me with phds, running their own sites, getting grants etc. I just feel like I’ll never get there or something. Is this a fair expectation to have of myself?

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone here knows about or works on the SUEDLink project running from north to south Germany? I think it’s been going for about a year now. I’m thinking about moving to Germany to work in commercial archaeology and would love to hear what the project is like to work on.

Also, I’d appreciate any info on what it’s like working in commercial archaeology in Germany in general. I’m coming from a British archaeology background, so any insights would be super helpful. I have been working in commercial for 4 years, I have a masters degree, have intermediate knowledge of German (b1) and drivers license. I also have an EU passport.

Thanks a lot!