Before I start this rant, I would like to say that I have a B.A. in Archaeology, five years experience as an archaeological technician, and wrote two undergraduate theses.
The reality of an archaeological technician is harsh. If you fancy getting paid less and work harder then the backhoe operators and construction workers on most Cultural Resource Management sites then by all means you are suited for this kind of work. By the way don't bother getting an apartment or house anywhere you may see it a month or two a year, unless you're unemployed for an extended period of time (a very real possibility).
Don't expect to use your brain as an archaeological technician. You are only expected to dig "faster" or wash artifacts.
Expect CRM firms to try to cheat you out of per diem and pay and try to make you work over a forty hour week without time and a half. It is one of the worst industries that I have ever come in contact with for wage violations. Never mention the word union or you might be blacklisted; not that I'm a big fan of unions, just another tax on my already small paycheck.
In summary, if you enjoy living out of hotel rooms, being underpaid and overworked, go into archaeology as a field hand.
This article is one of a series written by people working in archaeology called Experience Tells.
This article is one of a series written by people working in archaeology called Experience Tells.
