In the last century, archaeology changed dramatically, from a treasure hunt to carefully planned scientific investigation. Archaeologists do not dig at a site 'to see what they will find'. Archaeologists frame a research question and excavate in order to find the answer to that question.
Archaeologists work within the framework of archaeological legislation.
In most parts of the world, digging is illegal without permission from the land owner and a permit from the government. In British Columbia, a permit is issued by the Archaeology Branch in Victoria only after the applicant has also received the permission from local First Nation. Some archaeologists work for a First Nation to uncover the early history of their people. Nowhere are these changes more noticeable than in excavating. Archaeological excavation today is a very labor intensive, time consuming, careful process, usually carried out by a team of specialists.