entertaining your community

Introduction

There is more to archaeology than meets the eye – it’s not just people in dirty boots scratching delicately around some muddy hole and unearthing trinkets and bits of buildings from a bygone age. That’s not to say that such activity isn’t worthwhile in itself. Many people get great pleasure from archaeological digs, to say nothing of their historical value, whether they do it for recreational or professional reasons or simply watch it on television. Finding out more about our past is important work

Archaeological posts exist in all types of authority and are sometimes called by other names such as Heritage Officer.

The primary aim of the job at local government level is to protect the archaeological resources in the area in accordance with the council’s development policy. It entails protecting our heritage, which is made up of physical remains that represent the traces of past lives, from natural processes such as erosion and developers who may not appreciate their responsibilities and who might be at best thoughtless and at worst rapacious.

Work Environment

This encompasses both the office and outdoors especially on redevelopment sites. Travel is necessary at local and regional levels. Work usually goes on no matter what the weather and there is a great deal of standing, kneeling and walking about required. Protective clothing, hard hats and strong boots are provided. The standard working week is 37 hours but there are no anti social shifts required.

Daily Activities

These are fairly constant and involve advising planners and archaeological consultants, setting up projects, monitoring works funded by private developers and assessment and field evaluations. The overall aim is to determine which sites require archaeological investigation. This entails preparing briefs and specifications for the work and supervising the outcome. Typically, the archaeologist will spend a lot of time studying planning applications and negotiating with developers and consultants: making sure about any potential risks to archaeological remains and deciding whether or not fieldwork assessment is necessary. They will then advise the planners accordingly.

The long term objective is to preserve the material remains of the past – castles, medieval houses, caves, Roman forts or even prehistoric flint scatters, for example – either undisturbed (in situ) or by careful recording during excavation. These records are lodged in a database maintained by the authority called the Sites and Monuments Record. People can then either read about them or visit sites when they are made accessible.
The archaeologist’s work will also often require information management, through the maintenance and updating of the council Sites and Monument Record, and may also involve contributing to the direct management of archaeological sites.

Archaeologists use trowels and even pick-axes for excavation but that is normally done by archaeological contractors whose work the local government archaeologist monitors. For a large part of the time they will be using a computer, having lots of discussion and negotiation with planners, architects, developers, archaeological contractors and consultants, demolition contractors, inspectors from the national heritage agency (English Heritage, Historic Scotland or Cadw - Welsh Historic Monuments) and the general public. They work on their own initiative guided by the standards laid down by the Institute of Field Archaeologists’ and the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (or, in Scotland the Association of Regional and Islands Archaeologists).

Skills & Interests

To be good at this job you would need to have:

• patience
• drawing, photographic and computer skills
• good observation
• knowledge of British archaeological remains and fieldwork practices
• knowledge of the planning process
• practical ability
• attention to detail
• caring nature
• interest in the environment
• project management ability
• a head for figures
• the ability to get on with people from different backgrounds
• negotiating skills.

Entry Requirements

A first degree, usually in archaeology, is essential.

Practical experience of archaeological fieldwork (excavations and survey) and project supervision is usually required.

It is expected that you will pursue continuing professional development through membership of the Institute of Field Archaeologists.

Estimated salary range

£17,000 – £25,000

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

This is a fairly narrow and competitive field of work. There are better promotion prospects for archaeological contractors. You can progress by moving between departments or councils or seek opportunities outside local authorities such as universities or in the national heritage agencies, for example.
The top job in England is Chief Archaeologist at English Heritage, but the next post up in local government is County Archaeologist.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Entertaining Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

Council for British Archaeology www.britarch.ac.uk

Institute of Field Archaeologists www.archaeologists.net

Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers www.algao.org.uk

Cultural Heritage National Training Organisation www.cciskills.org.uk

English Heritage www.english-heritage.org.uk

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Archaeologist vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers - The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in - ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.