{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/aid582111-v4-728px-Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>

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<\/p><\/div>"} 1 Be prepared for a significant amount of travel. No one said an archaeologist had an easy schedule. If you're committed to the work, then you should be ready to spend a lot of time away from home. You can go on digs that take you away from your family for months, or even longer. Be prepared for this element of the job. Archaeologists say that finding a balance between family and work can be quite challenging; however, keep in mind that you can find a career path that requires you to work more stable, regular hours instead of spending your time on archaeological digs.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-19-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-19-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-19-Version-2.jpg\/aid582111-v4-728px-Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-19-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>

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<\/p><\/div>"} 4 Wake up early. Most archaeologists have to get up as early as 4 or 5 am to begin their work day. They begin working often in the dark, when they can't always see everything before them. This is because they want to put in a good eight hours of work and need to escape much of the late afternoon heat. Several food breaks are plugged into the daily schedule of an archaeologist, so you will have short bursts of relaxation throughout the day. You may either be staying in tents on site, or far enough away that you'll need a bus to take you to and from the site. Most archaeologists have to get up as early as 4 or 5 am to begin their work day. They begin working often in the dark, when they can't always see everything before them. This is because they want to put in a good eight hours of work and need to escape much of the late afternoon heat. Several food breaks are plugged into the daily schedule of an archaeologist, so you will have short bursts of relaxation throughout the day.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-20-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-20-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-20-Version-2.jpg\/aid582111-v4-728px-Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-20-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>

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<\/p><\/div>"} 5 Stay physically fit. Field work can be grueling. You may need to rough it in uncomfortable terrain and weather for several weeks at a time in remote locations. If you're committed to this career path, then you'll have to stay in shape, through regular exercise that includes cardio and strength training. Your work will require you to build up the endurance to spend around 8 hours a day digging in the sun, so it is important to stay strong. You may not think the physical aspect of an archaeologist's life looks grueling, but it is more demanding than it may seem from photographs.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-21-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-21-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-21-Version-2.jpg\/aid582111-v4-728px-Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-21-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>

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<\/p><\/div>"} 6 Carefully excavate a site. An excavation is far more than a search for artifacts. An excavation is actually a carefully planned destruction of a site. Archaeologists know that once a site is dug up, it can never be returned to its old state again, so its destruction must be carefully mapped and planned every step of the way. Crew members typically dig up the floor of an excavation just 5–10 centimeter (2.0–3.9 in) at a time, taking care to record every layer that they uncover, since they can never return the site back to its previous state again. You must be familiar with the excavation plan before you begin your work day.

You will dig using shovels, trowels, brushes, and other tools that you are given. An excavation is far more than a search for artifacts. An excavation is actually a carefully planned destruction of a site. Archaeologists know that once a site is dug up, it can never be returned to its old state again, so its destruction must be carefully mapped and planned every step of the way. Crew members typically dig up the floor of an excavation just 5–10 centimeter (2.0–3.9 in) at a time, taking care to record every layer that they uncover, since they can never return the site back to its previous state again.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-22-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-22-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-22-Version-2.jpg\/aid582111-v4-728px-Become-an-Archaeologist-Step-22-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>

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<\/p><\/div>"} 7 Dig up artifacts. Many people are under the misconception that archaeologists dig up dinosaur bones. In fact, they dig up artifacts, but not bones; bones are dug up by paleontologists. While you're working on your site, you should be able to uncover some artifacts, such as arrowheads or pottery. You must follow a careful procedure for documenting and then storing your findings carefully. It's important to use your tools correctly in order to ensure that the artifacts are preserved for further study and care.[7] Some crew members even draw and photograph the floors and walls to keep a record of the layers as they are removed.

Some also photograph artifacts that are found and map their location relative to the rest of the excavation unit

Some technicians collect data by using GPS receivers to map out the site and the site's boundaries digitally Many people are under the misconception that archaeologists dig up dinosaur bones. In fact, they dig up artifacts, but not bones; bones are dug up by paleontologists. While you're working on your site, you should be able to uncover some artifacts, such as arrowheads or pottery. You must follow a careful procedure for documenting and then storing your findings carefully. It's important to use your tools correctly in order to ensure that the artifacts are preserved for further study and care.