Every year we are discovering traces of our ancient ancestors dating back great spans of time. Primitive tools, skeletal remains and footprint tracks all tell stories of these distant relatives from which we descended. The study of ancient human societies, or archaeology, proves to be an exciting career with new discoveries always occurring. There is much we still do not know about the ways of life among more primitive societies that were wiped out from natural disaster, disease or war. Uncovering our roots can tell tales about history and the world around us. In turn, we can appreciate how far we’ve come and perhaps realize ways that we can still improve.

The field of archaeology draws upon a broad spectrum of disciplines which include excavation as well as an understanding of chemistry, paleontology, geology and more. Archaeologists are multitalented individuals with a strong academic background to help them gain a better perspective on ancient cultures and the world that they inhabited. To be a successful archaeologist, you will need to be physically fit to participate in excavations, have strong researching skills and a dedication to the profession.

As an archaeologist, you will likely also be required to travel throughout the world for prolonged periods of time in various regions and climates to uncover life’s greatest mysteries. While some prospective archaeologists love the idea of adventure or have a passion for the academia of archaeology, others find prolonged periods of time away from home to be too emotionally demanding to make archaeology a realistic career choice. This is a crucial consideration for those considering a career in archaeology.

While programs offering bachelor’s degrees in archaeology are more common outside of the United States, there are a wide number of institutes in the U.S. that offer these degrees . After completing your general education courses, you will be able to focus on a specific area or topic, such as geographic regions or time periods. While this level of education opens many doors in the area of archaeology, you will not be able to become an actual archaeologist without a minimum of a master’s degree. As you progress through your education, you can specialize in such areas as:

• Marine archaeology
• Biblical archaeology
• Forensic archaeology
• Egyptian archaeology

Depending on your level of education, you can choose from a number of careers. With a bachelor’s degree you can work in such positions as an archaeological lab technician or a park ranger in a state or national park. With a master’s or doctorate's degree, you can find employment as an instructor or field director, among other things. The higher your educational background, the wider the variety of work you will get to do throughout the world.

Archaeologists are continually uncovering evidence regarding the advances of earlier societies. Understanding our development from the first stone tools to the electronic devices now used today provides us with a better appreciation for the generations that came before us. It likewise helps us to understand how we evolved to our current state while interacting with an ever-changing landscape. Who knows, you may even dig up the bones of your direct ancestor! In archeology the entire world is open to your discovery!