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Anthropologists and Archeologists - 19-3091.00

The occupation code you requested, 19-3091.02 (Archeologists), is no longer in use. In the future, please use 19-3091.00 (Anthropologists and Archeologists) instead.

O*NET-SOC Description

Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • American Indian Policy Specialist
  • Applied Anthropologist
  • Applied Cultural Anthropologist
  • Archaeologist
  • Forensic Anthropologist
  • Historical Archaeologist
  • Research Anthropologist
  • Research Archaeologist
  • Researcher

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Advise government agencies, private organizations, and communities regarding proposed programs, plans, and policies and their potential impacts on cultural institutions, organizations, and communities.
  • Apply traditional ecological knowledge and assessments of culturally distinctive land and resource management institutions to assist in the resolution of conflicts over habitat protection and resource enhancement.
  • Assess archeological sites for resource management, development, or conservation purposes and recommend methods for site protection.
  • Clean, restore, and preserve artifacts.
  • Collaborate with economic development planners to decide on the implementation of proposed development policies, plans, and programs based on culturally institutionalized barriers and facilitating circumstances.
  • Collect artifacts made of stone, bone, metal, and other materials, placing them in bags and marking them to show where they were found.
  • Collect information and make judgments through observation, interviews, and review of documents.
  • Compare findings from one site with archeological data from other sites to find similarities or differences.
  • Conduct participatory action research in communities and organizations to assess how work is done and to design work systems, technologies, and environments.
  • Consult site reports, existing artifacts, and topographic maps to identify archeological sites.
  • Create data records for use in describing and analyzing social patterns and processes, using photography, videography, and audio recordings.
  • Describe artifacts' physical properties or attributes, such as the materials from which artifacts are made and their size, shape, function, and decoration.
  • Develop and test theories concerning the origin and development of past cultures.
  • Develop intervention procedures, using techniques such as individual and focus group interviews, consultations, and participant observation of social interaction.
  • Enhance the cultural sensitivity of elementary and secondary curricula and classroom interactions in collaboration with educators and teachers.
  • Formulate general rules that describe and predict the development and behavior of cultures and social institutions.
  • Gather and analyze artifacts and skeletal remains to increase knowledge of ancient cultures.
  • Identify culturally specific beliefs and practices affecting health status and access to services for distinct populations and communities, in collaboration with medical and public health officials.
  • Lead field training sites and train field staff, students, and volunteers in excavation methods.
  • Organize public exhibits and displays to promote public awareness of diverse and distinctive cultural traditions.
  • Participate in forensic activities, such as tooth and bone structure identification, in conjunction with police departments and pathologists.
  • Plan and direct research to characterize and compare the economic, demographic, health care, social, political, linguistic, and religious institutions of distinct cultural groups, communities, and organizations.
  • Record the exact locations and conditions of artifacts uncovered in diggings or surveys, using drawings and photographs as necessary.
  • Research, survey, or assess sites of past societies and cultures in search of answers to specific research questions.
  • Study archival collections of primary historical sources to help explain the origins and development of cultural patterns.
  • Study objects and structures recovered by excavation to identify, date, and authenticate them and to interpret their significance.
  • Teach or mentor undergraduate and graduate students in anthropology or archeology.
  • Train others in the application of ethnographic research methods to solve problems in organizational effectiveness, communications, technology development, policy making, and program planning.
  • Write about and present research findings for a variety of specialized and general audiences.
  • Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
  • Advise others on educational matters.
  • Advise others on matters of public policy.
  • Analyze forensic evidence to solve crimes.
  • Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems.
  • Clean objects.
  • Collaborate with technical specialists to resolve design or development problems.
  • Collect archival data.
  • Collect biological specimens.
  • Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
  • Communicate with government agencies.
  • Conduct anthropological or archaeological research.
  • Conduct historical research.
  • Conduct research on social issues.
  • Conduct scientific research of organizational behavior or processes.
  • Design psychological or educational treatment procedures or programs.
  • Develop theories or models of social phenomena.
  • Direct scientific activities.
  • Document events or evidence, using photographic or audiovisual equipment.
  • Evaluate characteristics of archival or historical objects.
  • Inspect condition of natural environments.
  • Instruct college students in social sciences or humanities disciplines.
  • Mark materials or objects for identification.
  • Package materials or products.
  • Plan community programs or activities for the general public.
  • Plan social sciences research.
  • Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
  • Record research or operational data.
  • Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.
  • Write grant proposals.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Historian (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Historian (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Historian (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Historian Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Historian Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Historian Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Historian Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Historian Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Historian Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Historical Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Anthropologist
  • Anthropologist, Physical
  • Archeologist
  • Ethnologist