The broad nature of archaeology provides many different types of work. Most archaeologists do spend a good deal of time in the field both looking for and recording archaeological sites, or excavating them. Archaeological fieldwork is carried out in all parts of Australia, often in very remote regions. Our archaeologists also work in Africa, Melanesia, the Pacific, the Mediterranean and Europe. Field trips may last for periods of up to three or four months in any one year.
Conditions are sometimes difficult and the work arduous.
More time, however, is spent working on the results of the fieldwork - analysing the finds and their context, and preparing material for publication. Here archaeologists make use of other sets of research skills. In the laboratory artefacts need to be identified, measured, drawn, classified, and perhaps examined under microscopes. Computer facilities may be used to help store and process the mass of data recorded. Library work on historical information or comparable modern societies, as well as on related sites and objects is equally important.