Archaeology at UNC Greensboro

The Archaeology Program introduces students to past civilizations and cultures around the globe and to the analytical methods, techniques, and theories that archaeologists use to facilitate their study. The concentration is designed to develop anthropological, historical, and geographical perspectives in archaeological research, encompassing prehistoric and early historic cultures.

The Program’s faculty is actively involved in research and/or fieldwork in Africa, the Mediterranean region, West Asia, the Middle East, North America, South America, and West Asia. Students participate in these or other field work projects in addition to meeting classroom requirements. Graduates of the Program are prepared for advanced training in archaeology and museum studies; cultural resource management; team leading in a variety of settings; and other professions for which critical thinking and good communication skills are necessary.

Career Information

An undergraduate degree in Archaeology qualifies you for any career that requires good research, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills. As a well-rounded student of the liberal arts, you are well qualified for professions in public relations, retail, research, and management.

Within the field of archaeology, you can join an archaeological research project and complete a variety of tasks from digging to cataloguing and illustrating. Many students will already have experience with such tasks from their undergraduate field school. It is important to note, however, that most archaeological projects that are affiliated with universities are seasonal (i.e. six weeks in the summer), and it would be unusual to find full-time employment with such a project. Another option is to work full-time for a Cultural Resource Management firm, such as New South Associates. Firms such as these engage in archaeological field work year-round for companies who wish to develop or use land that is protected under federal historic preservation laws.

If you are interested in moving up the ranks in archaeology to work as a supervisor or director, you will need to obtain an advanced degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) in archaeology. Most field directors have doctoral degrees and are employed by universities, colleges, or museums. Depending on the type of archaeology and the time period in which you are interested, graduate programs are housed in various departments: Anthropology, Classical Studies, Geography, etc. A few universities have interdepartmental graduate programs in archaeology. Before you consider applying for a graduate program, you should make an appointment with your adviser to have a serious discussion about the qualifications that are necessary to obtain admission and enjoy success in graduate school.

Another option for students who are interested in artifact studies and curation is to find work in a museum. Summer internships are often available at major museums and can be a good way to gauge interest in such a career. Additional coursework or advanced degrees in Art History or Museum Studies may be necessary to find full-time employment in a museum. FYI: UNCG has a graduate program in Museum Studies.

The Society for American Archaeology also has helpful information for students interested in careers in archaeology.

Research in Archaeology

The Archaeology Program at UNCG offers students a wide variety of opportunities to participate in fieldwork each summer. Students can travel to South America, Africa, the southeastern United States, or the Mediterranean region to excavate, survey the landscape, draw and sort artifacts, study museum collections, or analyze and categorize various types of soil. The field schools that are directed by our faculty are listed under the “fieldwork” tab to the left. Please contact the individual faculty member who directs the field school in which you are interested, if you have questions or desire further information. Most applications for field schools are due in the Fall semester (for the following summer); please keep this deadline in mind as you make your plans.

During the academic year, opportunities also exist to work in the Archaeology lab or to complete research projects with individual faculty. Please contact the individual faculty members to learn about potential research projects or to explore the possibility of faculty-mentored research.

The Archaeology Lab

The Applied Archaeology Laboratory is located in the Eberhart Building on UNCG’s campus. The laboratory’s purpose is to provide scholars and their students with opportunities to engage in experiential research with prehistoric and historic materials from the southeastern United States. Students interested in learning about the process of archaeological research and lab work, regardless of special area of interest, will benefit by a visit or through committed time as a volunteer. As time and opportunities permit, occasional grant or sub-contracted applied projects are also undertaken by the laboratory director using these facilities.

From 2000 to 2022, former UNCG faculty member and former Director of the Archaeology Program Dr. Linda France Stine directed the Applied Archaeology Laboratory. Stine’s community-engaged work with the Bentonville Civil War Battlefield State Historic Site, the Blandwood Historic Mansion, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, and other local and regional organizations provided students with diverse training in archaeology laboratory and field methods. The Applied Archaeology Laboratory continues this tradition of engaging with local communities and providing high-impact learning opportunities for students.

Volunteers and Community Partners

Individuals or community organizations interested in volunteering for or partnering with the Applied Archaeology Lab on issues of regional historic preservation projects or seeking advice on regional historic preservation projects should contact the Director of the Archaeology Program, Dr. Charles Egeland (cpegelan@uncg.edu).