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Archaeological Technician (Archeological Tech)

Anthropologists and Archeologists
Description
Assist archaeologists with field and lab work to locate, excavate, document, and process cultural materials. Perform surveys and controlled excavations; record provenience with GPS/GIS and drawings; clean and catalog artifacts; enter data and help prepare site forms and report materials while following safety and cultural resource compliance protocols.
  • • Conduct pedestrian surveys, shovel tests, and test units under supervision.
  • • Excavate and screen soils using standard archaeological methods.
  • • Record provenience, stratigraphy, and feature data on field forms and in notebooks.
  • • Map sites, units, and artifacts using GPS, total station, and GIS.
  • • Take scaled photographs and maintain photo logs.
  • • Collect, bag, label, and secure artifacts and samples with accurate provenience.
  • • Prepare state site forms, site maps, and daily field logs.
  • • Assist with construction monitoring and notify supervisors of discoveries.
  • • Clean, sort, and catalog artifacts in the lab to curation standards.
  • • Perform flotation, wet screening, and sample processing as directed.
  • • Measure and describe artifacts and features; enter data into databases.
  • • Maintain chain-of-custody and tracking for collections and samples.
  • • Assist in basic artifact identification under archaeologist guidance.
  • • Digitize field maps and compile GIS layers and attribute data.
  • • Conduct background research using maps, archives, and previous reports.
  • • Assist in preparing tables, figures, and appendices for technical reports.
  • • Follow NHPA Section 106, SHPO, and tribal sensitivity protocols as instructed.
  • • Adhere to health, safety, and site protection procedures in the field.
  • • Maintain and organize field gear, tools, and survey equipment.
  • • Ensure site flagging, fencing, and protective measures are correctly installed.
  • • Perform site condition assessments and prepare monitoring notes.
  • • Travel to remote locations; hike, carry equipment, and camp as needed.
  • • Operate vehicles safely on paved and unpaved roads per company policy.
  • • Support training of volunteers or field school participants in basic methods.
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Source
Tasks & skills: O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge). Learn more
Sources & Standards: This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
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