Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Archaeology Field Technician

🎯 Role Definition

An Archaeology Field Technician performs on-site archaeological fieldwork under project supervision to identify, document, and recover cultural resources. This role combines hands-on excavation and survey, precise field documentation, artifact handling and cataloging, health and safety compliance, and communication with project leads and regulatory agencies. Ideal candidates are physically fit, detail-oriented, safety-conscious, and experienced with standard field techniques and recording technologies used in Cultural Resource Management (CRM) and academic archaeology.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Archaeology Student Intern or Volunteer Field Technician
Cultural Resources Field Assistant
Museum or Lab Assistant with field training

Advancement To:

Lead Field Technician / Crew Chief
Archaeological Field Supervisor
Cultural Resource Management (CRM) Project Archaeologist
Lab Manager or Collections Specialist

Lateral Moves:

GIS/Geomatics Technician for cultural resources
Historic Preservation Specialist
Environmental Technician with field survey emphasis

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct systematic pedestrian surveys, shovel tests, test unit excavation, and controlled stratigraphic excavation to locate and document archaeological features and artifacts in compliance with project plans and regulatory requirements.
Execute standardized screening and wet-sieving operations, accurately recover artifacts and ecofacts, and maintain provenience relationships by labeling, bagging, and assigning unique field numbers according to project cataloging protocols.
Produce detailed, legible field notes, context sheets, unit forms, and feature descriptions that document stratigraphy, soil matrices, cultural deposits, and field interpretations for later analysis and reporting.
Operate and maintain field instruments including total stations, GPS/GNSS units, laser rangefinders, digital cameras, and field tablets to record precise spatial data, photograph contexts, and geolocate finds with consistent coordinate systems and datums.
Perform photogrammetry and 3D documentation of features and profiles when required, assembling high-resolution image sets, and backing up digital records to project data management systems.
Implement site safety plans and environmental monitoring, ensure crew adherence to OSHA and project-specific safety protocols, perform daily safety briefings (tailgates), and immediately report hazards or incidents to supervisors.
Assist with cultural resources assessments, including pedestrian reconnaissance, site boundary mapping, and identification of potential historic properties to support Section 106 compliance and state permitting processes.
Conduct subsurface testing such as augering, shovel test pits (STPs), and backhoe-assisted trenching under supervision, documenting depths, soil changes, and recovered materials with precise notes and photographs.
Participate in artifact processing in the field and laboratory, including cleaning, preliminary identification, flotation, labeling, cataloging, and input of specimen-level metadata into database systems such as Excel, Access, or specialized CRM software.
Maintain field equipment, hand tools, and vehicles; ensure inventory accuracy, repair or report broken tools, and prepare materials for daily mobilization and demobilization according to project schedules.
Prepare measured drawings, scaled plans, and profile sketches of excavation units, features, and stratigraphic relationships using standard archaeological drawing conventions and digital drafting tools when requested.
Support cultural resource monitoring during construction and ground-disturbing activities, perform on-call site inspections, and apply judgment to recognize and protect unexpected archaeological discoveries until a qualified archaeologist can evaluate the find.
Follow chain-of-custody, evidence handling, and curation procedures for artifacts and samples destined for repositories or analysis, including packing, labeling, and completing required shipping documentation for transfer to labs or museums.
Collect and document environmental and geoarchaeological samples (e.g., soil monoliths, flotation samples, charcoal, pollen) according to sampling strategies and QA/QC protocols to support post-field analytical testing.
Assist in preparing figures, field maps, and photo logs for technical reports, proposals, and permit applications; contribute clear captions and metadata to multimedia deliverables.
Apply basic remote sensing techniques in the field—such as deploying ground-penetrating radar (GPR), magnetometry, or recording LiDAR-derived features—under direction of geophysical specialists.
Coordinate logistics for field crews, including site access, camping or lodging arrangements, fuel and supply procurement, and liaison with landowners, tribal representatives, and agency contacts as assigned by project management.
Conduct public outreach and on-site stakeholder communication by explaining project goals, methods, and findings to landowners, tribal monitors, and community members in a professional and culturally sensitive manner.
Comply with all local, state, and federal cultural resources regulations and permit conditions; prepare documentation required for compliance reviews and support regulatory consultations when requested.
Support post-field analysis by entering artifact and field data into databases, creating catalog spreadsheets, and preparing preliminary summaries that feed into technical reporting and interpretive analyses.
Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and confidentiality when working with indigenous materials, human remains, or restricted information; follow NAGPRA and tribal protocols under the direction of project archaeologists and cultural monitors.
Participate in training and mentoring of junior technicians and volunteers, providing hands-on instruction in excavation techniques, artifact processing, and field documentation standards.
Adapt field strategies to changing weather, terrain, and unexpected site conditions while maintaining data integrity, health and safety of the crew, and project timelines.
Assist with basic laboratory tasks post-field season, including washing, sorting, labeling, and data entry for artifact collections and sample sets destined for specialized analysis.
Maintain accurate daily time sheets, expense logs, and field reports; support billing and invoicing processes by providing timely documentation of field activities and project deliverables.

Secondary Functions

Support development and refinement of field forms, SOPs, and QA/QC checklists to improve consistency in data collection across multi‑project teams.
Contribute to geospatial data management by preparing GIS layers of site boundaries, excavation unit extents, and find locations for integration into project mapping products.
Assist with community archaeology outreach events, museum exhibits, and educational programs by preparing materials, supervising volunteer participants, and presenting findings in accessible language.
Participate in post-excavation research tasks such as artifact cataloging, basic typology sorting, and preparing material for specialist analysis (e.g., lithics, ceramics, faunal).
Support grant and proposal preparation by compiling site inventories, past survey data, and sample lists to inform project scopes and budgets.
Help maintain and update project-specific safety manuals, emergency response plans, and training records for field crews.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Archaeological field excavation techniques: shovel testing, controlled unit excavation, stratigraphic profiling, feature exposure, and backfill procedures.
Artifact recovery and processing: screening, flotation support, labeling, cataloging, preliminary identification, and secure packaging for curation.
Geospatial data collection: proficient use of GPS/GNSS receivers, total station surveying, range finders, and ability to collect accurate survey points with documented datums.
GIS and mapping: experience importing field data into GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS), creating shapefiles, and producing basic site maps and distribution plots.
Field documentation: producing clear context forms, unit logs, field drawings, photographic records, and metadata compliant with CRM reporting standards.
Data entry and database management: familiarity with Excel, Access, and CRM-specific databases; entering provenience data, artifact counts, and sample metadata accurately.
Remote sensing basics: exposure to or training in GPR, magnetometry, or LiDAR interpretation and deployment protocols is highly desirable.
Sampling and laboratory methods: knowledge of sampling strategies, flotation, sediment sampling, and chain-of-custody procedures for laboratory analyses.
Health and safety certifications: OSHA 10 (or equivalent), First Aid/CPR, and site-specific safety training applicable to fieldwork.
Equipment maintenance: care and maintenance of field tools, small engines, pumps, and digital equipment; basic troubleshooting for field devices and cameras.
Regulatory and compliance knowledge: understanding of Section 106, NHPA, NAGPRA principles, state historic preservation office (SHPO) processes, and permit requirements.
Photography and photogrammetry: competency in archaeological photography, scaling, and capturing images for 3D model generation and reporting.
Physical fitness and outdoor skills: demonstrated ability to perform sustained physical labor in varied climates and terrain, including safe lifting and long hours in the field.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and a rigorous commitment to accurate documentation and provenience control.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for interacting with supervisors, tribal monitors, landowners, and regulatory personnel.
Teamwork and reliability: proven ability to operate collaboratively in small crews, follow directions, and contribute to team morale.
Cultural sensitivity and ethical conduct when working with descendant communities, indigenous peoples, and culturally sensitive materials.
Problem-solving and adaptability to modify field techniques responsively when encountering unexpected site conditions.
Time management and organizational skills to balance field tasks, data entry, equipment maintenance, and reporting deadlines.
Professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive finds, human remains, or proprietary project information.
Instructional ability to mentor junior staff and volunteers in field techniques and safety procedures.
Stress tolerance and resilience to perform effectively under physically demanding conditions and tight project schedules.
Observational acuity and the ability to synthesize visual, stratigraphic, and artifact evidence into coherent field interpretations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with demonstrated field experience in archaeology, CRM, or related outdoor labor roles.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Anthropology, Archaeology, Anthropology with archaeology concentration, or a closely related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Anthropology / Archaeology
Cultural Resource Management (CRM)
Geomatics, Geography, or GIS
Environmental Science with field methods coursework
Historic Preservation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–5 years (entry-level positions may accept field school or volunteer experience; many roles require 1–3 seasons of documented field work)

Preferred:

1–3 field seasons or equivalent experience including shovel testing, excavation units, artifact processing, and CRM compliance work.
Demonstrated experience with GPS/total station survey and field documentation for archaeological projects.
Experience working with tribal monitors, permitting agencies (SHPO/THPO), and following federal/state cultural resource regulations is strongly preferred.
Valid driver's license, ability to travel to remote sites, and willingness to work irregular hours during field seasons.