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One of the most debated topics is Anthropology vs Archaeology. While both fields are involved in studying humans, they have different approaches. Anthropology focuses more on human cultures’ social and cultural facets.
Applying some of the theories and principles that art historians utilize, Archaeology is interested in the physical remnants of the human past.
This article presents a brief overview of the differences between these fields, including job descriptions, salaries, and education required. We hope that, at the end of this article, you’ll determine whether Anthropology or Archaeology aligns with your interests and career objectives and learn to choose your specialization in either field.
Key Differences: Anthropology vs Archaeology
| Field | Best Fit For | Job Responsibilities | Starting Salaries | Average Salaries | Education Required |
| Anthropology | Individuals who want to study the cultural, social, and biological diversity of human groups in the present, historic, and prehistoric past. | Examine human characteristics such as development and relationships with other animals, particularly primates. | Museum Worker: $53,420 | $63,940 | For most jobs, a master’s or PhD is required. |
| Archaeology | Individuals who aim to explore past cultures by recovering and reconstructing material remains. | Committed to the study, exploration, and comprehension of human remnants. | Field Technician: $48,222 | $63,940 | Typically a master’s degree is required. |
What is Anthropology?
Have you ever wondered about culture throughout history and the aspects of the human experience? If so, anthropology could be for you.
Anthropology studies human behavior. Students enrolled at the undergraduate level of anthropology will study the fundamental aspect of Anthropology, which explores the customs, beliefs, and social structures that define different societies.
Graduate-level Anthropology programs offer a more in-depth and specialized exploration of the discipline, where students can hone their research skills, delve into advanced theoretical frameworks, and contribute to the field.
As students advance in their anthropology studies, they often have the chance to specialize in specific areas that align with their interests and career goals. There are four major fields included:
- Cultural Anthropology is the study of human societies and their cultures.
- Linguistics studies language as a fundamental aspect of human culture.
- Physical Anthropology focuses on the biological aspects of humanity.
- Archaeology explores past human societies through the analysis of artifacts, structures, and landscapes.
Specialization in one or more global regions is common among anthropologists. These professionals can focus on the customs and cultures, including West Africa, Latin America, the British Isles, Eastern Europe, North America, and Oceania.
Some anthropologists research cultural traditions that must be adjusted to match the prevailing Spanish or French legal frameworks, such as the Basques of the Pyrenees’ use of cooperatives in their economic system.
Anthropologists typically work indoors, such as in an office or laboratory, to analyze the evidence collected by them or anthropologists and perform high volumes of research. Anthropologists spend most of their days traveling as well. Graduates can often find roles in consulting firms, museums, and research and government organizations.
Popular Career Paths
Anthropologist
Median Annual Salary: $63,940
Anthropologists can find employment in research and higher education institutions, government organizations, or private firms. A graduate-level degree is often needed to apply for higher-level positions to ensure you have a deeper context and understanding of current societal issues. As an anthropologist, you’ll be tasked to navigate the intricate layers of human societies. Your tasks will include:
- Plan and execute cultural research
- Examine data and laboratory samples
- Collect data from surveys
- Advise organizations about the humanistic implications of their policies and programs
This Career Is For You If:
- You like digging up cultural nuances.
- You like to help bridge the gap between the past and present.
- You are great at problem-solving.
This Career Is Not A Great Fit if:
- You prefer routine work.
- You need rapid career advancement.
- You don’t like to travel or do extensive fieldwork.
Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers
Median Annual Salary: $53,420
Although the primary educational requirement is only a bachelor’s degree, most employers prefer those with a master’s degree. They have varying responsibilities. For instance:
- Archivists: collect, organize, and preserve historical records and documents.
- Curators: acquiring new pieces, conducting research, and developing exhibition concepts.
- Museum Workers/Technicians: handle and install artworks or artifacts, maintain exhibition spaces, and assist in the care and preservation of collections.
This Career Is For You If:
- You like delving into history and preserving cultural heritage.
- You like working with artifacts, documents, and artwork to maintain integrity.
- You are passionate about researching to develop exhibitions that educate and inspire.
This Career Is Not A Great Fit if:
- You prefer less meticulous positions.
- You need instant ROI.
- You don’t like to spend countless hours encouraging the public to visit your workplace.
Forensic Science Technician
Median Annual Salary: $63,740
The skills and knowledge gained with a bachelor’s in anthropology can qualify you for forensic science technician roles. These professionals collect, analyze, and preserve physical evidence from crime scenes. However, you might often need to enroll in short courses that study the criminal justice system. Your two primary job duties include:
- Collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies.
- Uncover critical evidence that assists in solving crimes.
This Career Is For You If:
- You like noticing problems and figuring out the best way to solve them.
- You like unique challenges.
- You are detail-oriented.
This Career Is Not A Great Fit if:
- You prefer short working hours.
- You need a peaceful working environment to function.
- You don’t like dealing with potentially disturbing material.
Medical anthropologist
Median Annual Salary: $77,408
A medical anthropologist uses social, cultural, biological, and linguistic approaches to understand health, illness experiences, treatment, healing processes, and the cultural importance of medical systems. It examines how interrelationships between humans, cultural norms, micro and macro politics, and globalization affect individuals, social formations, and the environment.
Upon completion of a bachelor’s in anthropology, you must earn a master’s or doctorate that covers topics like alternative medicine, health and life cycles, gender, and sexuality. Common graduate-level studies in this field are public health, geriatrics, medical ethics, and public health.
This Career Is For You If:
- You like to better the health of struggling populations.
- You like to study global health.
- You are interested in interdisciplinary approaches within Archaeology.
This Career Is Not A Great Fit if:
- You prefer strictly scientific or clinical roles.
- You need higher job stability.
- You don’t like doing extensive research.
What is Archaeology?
While Archaeology is a subfield of anthropology, it’s often a stand-alone program of study. Anthropology degree programs focus on studying items left behind by humans instead of human biology, linguistics, or cultures. Students will learn how to use environmental data, artifacts, architecture, and remains of past humans to analyze various cultures.
Archaeology graduates are equipped with valuable abilities for various professional contexts, including excavation, surveying, and laboratory study. Primarily, Archaeology analyzes prehistoric societies, including in the biblical context, as well as human lifestyles, social dynamics, and evolutionary processes.
Other job duties include:
- Advance the knowledge of modern concerns like environmental sustainability and the protection of cultural heritage.
- Improve current policy and decision-making for a more sophisticated and educated response to global societal issues.
Most positions in this field require students to obtain a Ph.D.
Archaeologists primarily work on dig sites set up in historical locations because they spend much time recovering and researching artifacts. They can also work in offices or laboratories where they can safely store samples and conduct testing while examining the objects they recover.
Some archaeologists find employment at historical sites or museums where they can conduct tours or deliver talks about the past of a specific location or civilization. In addition to often working full-time hours, archaeologists frequently put in extra time when traveling or conducting excavations.
Popular Career Paths
Archaeologists
Median Annual Salary: $63,940
Archaeologists study human history by examining artifacts found at historical sites, focusing on specific periods and specializing in prehistoric tools, buildings, animal bones, and organisms. There are several types of archaeologists, such as:
- Environmental archaeologist: explores ancient civilizations’ land use, stable isotopes, DNA, and heavy metal concentration to understand their environmental and ecosystem conditions.
- Historical archaeologist: study ancient civilizations, focusing on written archaeological finds like maps, court documents, photos, and diaries to understand their past better.
- Research archeologist: learn more about recent archeological discoveries and launch new research initiatives.
This Career Is For You If:
- You like learning about the past and how it affects society today.
- You like to work more hours indoors.
- You are flexible.
This Career Is Not A Great Fit if:
- You prefer higher job satisfaction.
- You need higher salaries to support a family.
- You don’t like a highly competitive field and long working hours.
Field Technician
Median Annual Salary: $48,222
You could work as a field technician in archaeology after earning your bachelor’s degree. Field technicians can be tasked to work in various archeological areas, conducting surveys, excavations, and data assembly. This profession mainly only offers part-time positions.
This Career Is For You If:
- You like the outdoors.
- You like hands-on work.
- You are planning to become an archeologist.
This Career Is Not A Great Fit if:
- You prefer indoor jobs.
- You need a higher salary.
- You don’t like physical demands.
Archaeology Director
Median Annual Salary: $83,846
Archaeology directors find employment in various settings and may have varying responsibilities depending on the work environment. But in general, these professionals manage more administrative and educational tasks. They can oversee operations at dig sites or the head of a college department. To get money for their studies, archeologist directors also submit grant bids.
This Career Is For You If:
- You like administrative duties.
- You like conducting meticulous research and analysis.
- You are organized.
This Career Is Not A Great Fit if:
- You prefer a more fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
- You need immediate and tangible results.
- You don’t like working with others.
Museum Director
Median Annual Salary: $112,479
This position is among the highest-paid positions for graduate-level Archaeology graduates. While not technically an archaeologist, many professionals in the field can apply their training and expertise to become museum directors. Museum directors manage all aspects of a museum’s successful operation, including:
- Managing the budget
- Coordinating fundraising efforts
- Determining which exhibitions are best to show at the museum
- Investing in both collection maintenance and research for the museum.
This Career Is For You If:
- You like to be a part of preserving history and culture for future generations.
- You like overseeing daily operations.
- You are inquisitive, adaptable, creative, and a collaborative worker.
This Career Is Not A Great Fit if:
- You prefer flexible work schedules.
- You need better management and leadership training.
- You don’t like competitive and long working hours roles.
Similarities Between Anthropologists and Archaeologists
Anthropology and Archaeology often overlap. The academic coursework is research-intensive, resulting in skills or expertise and career prospects that are very similar.
Both fields are also strongly anchored in art history, material cultures, and the study of civilizations. As a result, they work with similar populations and conduct similar historical investigations.
Other similarities they share include:
- They interact with physical artifacts, such as bones, tools, and books.
- Work nature requires high volumes of research. It typically entails browsing historical records, reviewing documents, and reading studies from other scientists.
- Both fields require extensive travel periods to perform on-site work, such as archaeological digs or anthropological observations.
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