Archaeologists educate themselves about what to look for before they dig. Archaeology teams then go out into the field and begin testing at the most likely spots where artifacts might be found. Fieldwork tools include maps, shovels, brushes, string for marking off areas, and measuring tapes. Photographic equipment is always carried. Often, archaeologists wear special clothing to protect them from weather, insects, and poison ivy.
Archaeologists fall within the larger occupational category of social scientists.
A Ph.D. is usually required. A master's degree is generally the minimum educational level required for these positions. Today, archaeologists are also trained to use remote sensing equipment and global positioning technology. They sometimes work with geomorphologists who extract cores of soil from a site before the archaeologists begin digging. The archaeologists can then make informed decisions about how far down to go in their excavations.