Field Archaeologist’s Survival Guide


Book Description

Chris Webster’s handy, informative guide outlines what it takes to become an archaeological technician, a field worker in cultural resource management (CRM) archaeology. Based on his popular blog feature, Shovelbums Guide, Webster offers young archaeologists useful advice about CRM work, including writing, cooking in hotel rooms, hand-mapping, surviving unemployment, life after archaeology, and more. It provides tools new CRM archaeologists need to get hired and to live life on the road in a fluctuating job market, as well as details on how to succeed as a field archaeologist. Appendices cover sample job hunting documents and checklists for fieldwork. If you will be pursuing a position in this dynamic, challenging field, this book is a must-read both before you apply for that first job and once you get one.




Becoming an Archaeologist


Book Description

Becoming an Archaeologist: A Guide to Professional Pathways is an engaging handbook on career paths in archaeology. It outlines the process of getting a job in archaeology, including various career options, the training required, and how to get positions in the academic, commercial, government and charity sectors. This new edition has been substantially revised and updated. The coverage has been expanded to include many more examples of archaeological lives and livelihoods from dozens of countries around the world. It also has more interviews, with in-depth analyses of the career paths of over twenty different archaeologists working around the world. Data on the demographics of archaeologists has also been updated, as have sections on access to and inclusion in archaeology. The volume also includes revised and updated appendices and a new bibliography. Written in an accessible style, the book is essential reading for anyone interested in a career in archaeology in the twenty-first century.




Conservation Practices on Archaeological Excavations


Book Description

The relationship between archaeology and conservation has long been complex and, at times, challenging. Archaeologists are often seen as interested principally in excavation and research, while conservators are concerned mainly with stabilization and the prevention of deterioration. Yet it is often initial conservation in the field that determines the long-term survival and intelligibility of both moveable artifacts and fixed architectural features. This user-friendly guide to conservation practices on archaeological excavations covers both structures and artifacts, starting from the moment when they are uncovered. Individual chapters discuss excavation and conservation, environmental and soil issues, deterioration, identification and condition assessment, detachment and removal, initial cleaning, coverings and shelters, packing, and documentation. There are also eight appendixes. Geared primarily for professionals engaged in the physical practice of excavation, this book will also interest archaeologists, archaeological conservators, site managers, conservation scientists, museum curators, and students of archaeology and conservation.




Practicing Archaeology


Book Description

This comprehensive text and reference book addresses the questions and problems of cultural resources archaeology for undergraduate and graduate students and practicing archaeologists. Neumann, Sanford, and Neumann use their decades of field experience to discuss in great detail the complex processes involved in conducting a cultural resources management (CRM) project. Dealing with everything from law to logistics, archival research to artifact analysis, project proposals to report production, they provide an invaluable sourcebook for archaeologists who do contract archaeology. After introducing the legal and ethical aspects of CRM and stakeholder engagement, the authors describe the processes of designing a proposal and contracting for work, doing background research, conducting assessment, testing, mitigation work (Phase I, II, and III), laboratory analysis, and preparing reports for project sponsors. The volume’s emphasis on practical problems, use of extensive examples, and detailed advice on a host of subjects make it an ideal manual for archaeologists and field schools. This revised and expanded third edition of Practicing Archaeology: A Manual for Cultural Resources Archaeology updates Federal and state contracting protocols and covers preparing safety plans for occupational hazards, organization of an archaeology laboratory, use of electronic technology and digital media, advice on field and personnel management, and how to make a living doing cultural resources archaeology.




The Archaeologist's Field Handbook


Book Description

The Archaeologist's Field Handbook: North American Edition is a hands-on manual that provides step-by-step guidance for archaeological field work. Specially designed for students (both undergraduate and graduate) and avocational archaeologists, this informative guide combines clear and accessible information on doing fieldwork with practical advice on cultural heritage management projects. The Archaeologist's Field Handbook presents firmly grounded (pun intended!), essential, practical archaeological techniques and clearly elucidates the ethical issues facing archaeology today. A wealth of diagrams, photos, maps and checklists show in vivid detail how to design, fund, research, map, record, interpret, photograph, and present archaeological surveys and excavations. The Archaeologist's Field Handbook is an indispensable tool for new and aspiring archaeologists as they venture into the field.




THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S SURVIVAL GUIDE


Book Description

In the ever-evolving landscape of the modern world, young Christians are bombarded with questions, challenges, and doubts about their faith. "THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S SURVIVAL GUIDE: Common Questions Young Christians Are Asked about God, the Bible, and the Christian Faith Answered" is a comprehensive resource tailored to arm the youth with answers. Spanning across 30 detailed chapters, this guide dives deep into the core tenets of Christian apologetics, tackling pressing topics from the veracity of the Old and New Testaments to understanding the enigmatic nature of the Divine. The guide doesn't shy away from addressing difficult subjects like the influence of Christianity on history or the often controversial portrayal of women in the Scriptures. Each chapter is crafted with meticulous care, drawing from a rich wellspring of biblical teachings to dispel misconceptions and bolster the young believer's confidence in their faith. Whether you're grappling with questions about the meaning of life, the authenticity of biblical miracles, or seeking biblical advice on life choices, this guide serves as a trusted compass. Beyond just knowledge, it provides practical steps for personal growth, helping young Christians cultivate the mind of Christ, navigate doubts, and make wise choices in their formative years. The book strikes a balance between profound scholarly insights and accessible, relatable guidance. It's not just a reference but a mentor in print, aiding every young Christian in their journey of faith, ensuring they are equipped, edified, and empowered to stand firm in their convictions in a world that often questions them. Dive in, and discover a reservoir of wisdom, understanding, and spiritual enrichment.




Field Archaeology from Around the World


Book Description

Field practice in archaeology varies greatly throughout the world, mainly because archaeological sites survive in very different ways in different counties. Many manuals see this as a problem - to be defeated by the imposition of standardised procedures. In this book we relish the variety of field practice, seeing it rather as the way the best archaeologists have responded creatively to the challenges of terrain, research objectives and the communities within which they work. While insisting on the highest levels of investigation, we celebrate the different designs, concepts, scientific detection methods and recording systems applied - so embracing standards, but not standardisation. The book is organised in four parts: Part 1 offers a summary of field procedures. Part 2 reviews the principal methods applied, above and below ground, and how the results are analysed. Part 3 illustrates the huge variety confronted by field workers with a series of exemplary commercial and academic projects enacted in downland, jungle, desert, permafrost, road schemes and towns. Approaches also differ according to the traditional methodologies that have evolved in particular countries. In Part 4 we give examples of some the strongest and oldest of those practised on four continents. ​




A Conservation Manual for the Field Archaeologist


Book Description

Conservation treatments and techniques for the archaeologist in the field, emphasizing how to conserve an excavated object before it is taken to a trained conservator offsite. Safety procedures and conservation supplies and materials are recommended. Techniques for lifting, cleaning, consolidating, marking, and storing are discussed, along with methods for treating specific artifact materials (e.g., amber, wood). Appendixes cover impressions and chemical preparations.




Biomolecular Archaeology


Book Description

Illustrated thoroughly, Biomolecular Archaeology is the first book to clearly guide students through the study of ancient DNA: how to analyze biomolecular evidence (DNA, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates) to address important archaeological questions. The first book to address the scope and methods of this new cross-disciplinary area of research for archaeologists Offers a completely up-to-date overview of the latest research in this innovative subject Guides students who wish to become biomolecular archaeologists through the complexities of both the scientific methods and archaeological goals. Provides an essential component to undergraduate and graduate archaeological research




Field Archaeology


Book Description

Peter Drewett's comprehensive survey explores every stage of the dig process, from the core work of discovery and excavation to the final product: the published archaeological report. Main topics covered are: how an archaeological site is formed finding and recording archaeological sites planning excavations, digging the site and recording the results post-fieldwork planning, processing and finds analysis interpreting the evidence publishing the report. Illustrated with 100 photographs and line drawings, and using numerous case studies, Field Archaeology is the essential introductory guide for archaeology students, and is certain to be welcomed by the growing number of enthusiasts for the subject.