Archaeologist

For many, archeology conjures images of the Indiana Jones film franchise. But modern archeology is very different from the archeology of the 1930s, when the fictional archeologist worked.

“The time Indiana Jones is set in was the wild west of archeology,” said TVA archeologist Erin Dunsmore. “There was more of an emphasis on discovering, as opposed to protecting and preserving artifacts and sites.”

TVA has a team of archeologists who are involved in 12,500 archaeological sites. These locations can include artifacts or historic features.

“We haven’t surveyed all of our land yet, so there could be more sites out there we don’t know about,” Dunsmore said.

When new sites are discovered, Dunsmore focuses on monitoring these importing places and prioritizing them for protection.

Sites near water may need to be protected from erosion, for example. Other sites may be in danger of vandalism or looting. The Thousand Eyes outreach program trains volunteers to protect archeological sites and report suspicious activity on TVA land.

A Day in the Life

TVA’s cultural resources team works year-round to protect historical sites. They work in the field and they collaborate with Native American Tribes to protect important sites.

Several TVA sites were also important locations during the Civil War or sites built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s.

At its heart, Dunsmore said modern archeology is about building relationships and working with others to preserve important historic sites.

“Working with the Tribes to protect their Ancestral lands is one of the most meaningful things I think I could ever do,” Dunsmore said.

Archeologists often work outdoors and may have irregular schedules when conducting fieldwork.

Becoming an Archaeologist

Becoming an archeologist begins with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology or archeology, followed by a master’s degree. These programs often include field work on active archeological sites and learning how to record and interpret observations from the field.

Archeologists need these skills:

• Observation
• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Scientific methods
• Data collection and recording

Archaeologist may earn a starting salary of $55,865 and earn up to $146,370.