California Consortium for Archaeological Technology 3CAT
Becoming an Archaeologist
Archaeologists work throughout the world exploring the past through the physical remains of earlier societies. Work is available in archaeology at many levels and utilizes people’s skills from many disciplines. People with an interest in anthropology, Native Americans, history, architecture, geology, geography, philosophy, anatomy, illustration, computer science, art, chemistry, regional planning, and environmental studies, will find their talents and skills utilized and expanded in this field.
Employment opportunities are expanding at all levels, from certificate level archaeological technicians, field surveyors and excavators, to those with their graduate degrees who design and direct archaeological research. Central California is rich with educational opportunities for students desiring to enter this profession.
How Do I Begin?
People may join a regional or state Archaeological Society and have access to speakers, films, visiting lecturers, and sometimes community projects. They can also receive volunteer training for field survey and excavation opportunities.
Entry level students can begin at any of the Central California Community Colleges or Universities. They should enroll in freshman and sophomore General Education courses, especially English Composition and Word Processing and they should take the basic Anthropology courses required for the Archaeological Technician Certification and for an AA degree in Anthropology or an AS in Archaeology.
A Vocational Advantage
At this point, students may choose to take the unique Archaeological Technology Certificate Program at Cabrillo College. This Vocational Program teaches essential archaeological employment skills of: site survey, mapping, recording, unit layout and excavation, laboratory processing and cataloging, and archival data use and management. Students earning this certificate have been hired by local and national archaeological firms and by government agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service. Students may also choose to complete an AA or AS and go on to a four-year university locally or worldwide.
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