Archaeology is acquiring the appliances of science

CAREER FOCUS/Archaeology: Unlike history, archaeology focuses on material remains rather than written records. Olivia Kelly reports

So you were on this dodgy rope-bridge and a guy who tried rip your heart out with his nails not 10 minutes earlier was about to cut the rope and then there was this big boulder that nearly squished you, and these Nazi guys with their faces melting off were chasing you and you almost fell into a pit with all these scorpions and snakes and things and hang it all if you didn't nearly lose your hat . . .

What was it you said you did for a living again, Mr Jones?

In 1981, Raiders of the Lost Arc made archaeology the most exciting, brilliant job you could ever hope to do. Then, as you got a bit older, it started to seem a bit pie-in-the-sky, like wanting to be an astronaut or a pirate. However, archaeology is an accessible career and while it may not be all mummy's tombs and temples of doom, there are good opportunities closer to home.

The new BSc in applied archaeology due to start this year at Sligo IT aims to prepare student for employment on archaeological projects in a wide range of public institutes, private sector companies and the broad State sector, including local authorities.

The building boom, increased funding for heritage projects and new planning and development legislation have led to a huge increase in the need for archaeological services in the State, says Jeremy Bird, lecturer at the Sligo IT school of science. "There has been an explosion in the number of licensed excavations in Ireland. From 1990 to 2000, there was a 10-fold increase in excavations."

Archaeology is the study and interpretation of our past through the detailed examination of the remains left behind by human activity. Unlike history, archaeology focuses on material remains more than written records. "Archaeology involves the detailed analysis of structures. artefacts, soil, sediment and other evidence of activity, for example, the type of weeds in an area can tell us if there was a domestication of plants," Bird says.

Although traditionally taught as an arts subject, archeology increasingly uses scientific methods to identify, date and preserve artefacts and has become an area that bridges the realms of humanities and science, says Bird. "Science impacts massively on archaeology. Archaeologists use applied science techniques in a number of ways."

Archaeologists use DNA-testing to help date and place remains. A large amount of work is being done in genetics to study what modern populations have inherited from their ancestors. The different types of dating, including isotope dating and radio-carbon dating, are major scientific discoveries that have influenced archaeology. Science also contributes to the understanding of how materials deteriorate and how to conserve artefacts that have been excavated, but also how to examine sites without excavation.

"The whole emphasis is on non-destructive technology - examining sites without damaging them and preserving them for future generations, " he says.

Classical chronological archaeology - the ability to recognise and place artefacts in certain time periods - neolithic, bronze age, etc - is still, of course, a a central skill.

Archaeologists find work in a number of different areas, Bird says. "They find work with private companies, local authorities government departments, museums, academic institutes, libraries, tourism and heritage, Dúchas, An Taisce and national agencies such as the National Roads Authority."

Jerry O'Sullivan, project archaeologist with the NRA, says the majority of jobs are in the private sector. Pay is usually low starting off and conditions can often be uncomfortable. "Digging in the winter can be demoralising and you can get sick of living in shared accommodation." However, he says, "it's good fun working with a team and getting to see a lot of the country and the pay greatly improves if you stick at it."

Archaeologists trained in Ireland rarely continue their careers in other countries, says O'Sullivan, but will sometimes go on digs abroad, "just for fun".