We all have an image of archaeologists in our head. Maybe it's Indiana Jones with his whip and distinctive hat, or maybe it's a intrepid researcher with trowel in hand. Either way, it seems the gear makes the archaeologist.
Developing your own gear kit from scratch can be intimidating, but this guide is meant to give you a starting point to think about what you need. It is based heavily on my own experiences. The "basics" and "necessities" are the things I had during my earliest archaeology experiences, when I was pretty clueless and leaned heavily on coworkers. Since then, I have gradually expanded my gear collection. Start with what you can afford, and build on it from there.
Keep in mind that this list is very subjective. A lot will depend on where you work, who you work for, and what you do. Survey and excavation, for example, require different things. Also note that if you are
doing your first field school or an internship, a lot of things may be provided for you.
Also, don't forget to label your gear. Use a sharpie to write your initials on all your stuff, and touch it up as it fades. In the field, things are frequently borrowed, passed around, and mixed up- your gear is an investment, and you don't want to lose track of it.
Developing your own gear kit from scratch can be intimidating, but this guide is meant to give you a starting point to think about what you need. It is based heavily on my own experiences. The "basics" and "necessities" are the things I had during my earliest archaeology experiences, when I was pretty clueless and leaned heavily on coworkers. Since then, I have gradually expanded my gear collection. Start with what you can afford, and build on it from there.
Keep in mind that this list is very subjective. A lot will depend on where you work, who you work for, and what you do. Survey and excavation, for example, require different things. Also note that if you are
doing your first field school or an internship, a lot of things may be provided for you.
Also, don't forget to label your gear. Use a sharpie to write your initials on all your stuff, and touch it up as it fades. In the field, things are frequently borrowed, passed around, and mixed up- your gear is an investment, and you don't want to lose track of it.
Cartoon by Phillip Martin.
