Job description
HeritageQuest Archaeology is seeking a dedicated Field Archaeologist to join our Charleston, SC project teams. This role offers hands-on fieldwork, artifact curation, and collaboration with researchers to advance cultural heritage preservation.
As a Field Archaeologist, you will participate in site surveys, excavation units, artifact recovery, taphonomy assessments, and data collection following standard archaeological methods.
We value safety, rigorous documentation, and the ability to work in field conditions. This role involves travel to field sites, multi-day field campaigns, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
Responsibility
- Conduct systematic surface surveys and excavation units under supervision, recording context and stratigraphy.
- Assist with mapping using total station, GPS, and GIS for site documentation.
- Carefully recover, catalog, and curate artifacts following chain-of-custody procedures.
- Prepare field notes, daily logs, and digital data entry in project databases.
- Ensure health, safety, and environmental standards during field operations.
- Collaborate with specialists in zooarchaeology, lithics, and environmental archaeology for analysis.
- Contribute to final site reports, illustrations, and GIS outputs for clients and stakeholders.
- Assist in community outreach and public-facing archaeology events as required.
Qualification
- Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related field; field school or excavation experience is preferred.
- Hands-on field experience with archaeological excavations, surveys, and artifact handling.
- Knowledge of stratigraphy, context recording, and artifact curation standards.
- Proficiency with GIS/ArcGIS, GPS, total station, and other field equipment.
- Strong report writing, data management, and attention to detail.
- Willingness to travel and work outdoors in varied weather conditions; valid driver’s license.
- Ability to work in a team environment and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Commitment to safety, ethics, and best practices in archaeological research.