Anthropologists and Archeologists Career Plan

Picture this: You’re carefully brushing away centuries of soil to reveal an ancient ceramic vessel, or you’re living among an indigenous community to understand their unique cultural practices. These scenarios represent the day-to-day work of anthropologists and archeologists.

Think about how different cultures solve similar problems in unique ways, or how ancient civilizations developed their technologies. Anthropologists and archeologists provide crucial insights into human behavior, cultural development, and societal evolution. 

Anthropologists and archaeologists are social scientists who study the origins, development, and behavior of humans. While their work often overlaps, they approach human studies from complementary angles – anthropologists typically focus on living cultures and recent history, while archaeologists concentrate on physical remains of past civilizations.

Their unique value lies in their ability to bridge past and present, helping us understand human development and cultural diversity while informing modern policies and practices.

Total Employment: 7,720 (2023)

Common Names for Anthropologists and Archeologists

• American Indian Policy Specialist
• Applied Anthropologist
• Applied Cultural Anthropologist
• Archaeologist
• Communication and Folklore Specialist
• Forensic Anthropologist
• Historical Archaeologist
• Research Archaeologist
• Researcher

What Anthropologists and Archeologists Do

Anthropologists and Archeologists study human behavior, cultures, and societies through time by researching physical remains, artifacts, languages, and social patterns to understand human development and cultural diversity.

Core responsibilities include:

• Field Research: Plan and conduct field research to collect cultural artifacts, human remains, and other physical evidence that helps understand human history and cultural development.
• Data Analysis: Examine and interpret collected materials, artifacts, and data using scientific methods to reconstruct past human activities and cultural practices.
• Cultural Documentation: Record and preserve information about diverse human cultures, including customs, beliefs, and social patterns to maintain historical records and support cultural preservation.
• Research Publication: Write detailed reports, academic papers, and publications to share findings with the scientific community and contribute to the broader understanding of human development.
• Site Management: Oversee archaeological sites and cultural research locations, ensuring proper excavation techniques and preservation of artifacts while maintaining detailed documentation.
• Collaboration: Work with multidisciplinary teams including historians, museum curators, and local communities to develop a comprehensive understanding of cultural and historical contexts.
• Education and Outreach: Share knowledge through teaching, public presentations, and museum exhibits to increase public understanding of human cultures and archaeological discoveries.
• Conservation Planning: Develop and implement strategies to protect cultural resources and archaeological sites, ensuring their preservation for future research and cultural heritage.