Reader Joe H writes: "I would like to know if it’s possible to work at dig sites/labs (more than one) year-round, located anywhere, for little or no pay other than for the room & board accommodations at the sites and travel expenses between sites. I am a 55 year old insurance broker in California planning to retire in the next couple of years, with a life-long interest in archaeology and anthropology; my BA is in economics. I have no spouse or children and no family or financial obligations. I will have a retirement account to fund miscellaneous personal expenses."I plan to go on two-week Earthwatch field expeditions over the next couple of summers, one being the prehistoric pueblos of the southwest, for "basic training." Do such opportunities exist? Does this plan sound realistic? What types of organizations could use my help? If you were in my shoes, how would you go about this? "
Becoming an 'Old China Hand'
The 'shovel bum life'--working as a hired field technician on an archaeological crew--is normally what beginning archaeologists spend the first few years of their careers doing, obtaining experience before going on to a professional career. It's hard work, it rarely pays well, and there's not a lot of glory in it, although I must admit I enjoyed my own three-year stint. Have Trowel, Will Travel is a series on how the field technician job works, and describes some of the pitfalls and joys of the field.
So, I would say that if it turns out that you like this kind of work, it sounds like a great way to spend your retirement, and the right Earthwatch program can give you a good head start. First thing to do is join an organization or two in your home state and region. Smoke Pfeiffer developed a Directory of Archaeological Societies, and it includes organizations sorted out by location, including numerous ones in California.
Most of these associations have annual meetings. I recommend you go to the meetings and talk to as many archaeologists as you can, volunteering your efforts, and gaining as much experience as you can. You might try to join a university field school for a few days--many of them have training opportunities for non-professional members. Some groups may have specific training courses for volunteers or even a set of requirements before you can be hired--ask around at the meetings. If you can't join an excavation, volunteer to work in a laboratory, cleaning potsherds; while you're there ask to learn how to label artifacts or any other task that comes up. Any kind of experience you can pick up will get you on your way. You will probably drive the students crazy with your enthusiasm and willingness to learn, but, in my opinion, that's a useful thing to do in any case. 
One word of warning: Before you sign on to any of the programs, including Earthwatch, ask to make sure that you will actually get training in field and/or laboratory techniques. Let them know that you are eager to learn about the techniques of archaeology, and not there just to travel to exotic places and meet people. It may take a while to work out the financial aspects until you have enough experience under your belt--and at some point you will need to be paid for your work. But to start out, talk to people and explain your situation. Be willing to work at anything first, and learn as many skills as you can. Archaeology is a professional field and most of the field crew you will be working with will have bachelor's degrees in anthropology, but the 'old china hand', the calm and steady veteran volunteer who makes him (or her) self useful for a few days in camp, can be a welcome addition to any field crew.
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The photographs on this page are from the urban archaeology excavations at Osnabrück, Germany, during Summer 2006, and were taken by Jens-Olaf Walter. These and many others are available at Jens-Olaf's Flickr site.
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