Contract archaeologists provide expert advice on the impact of development on cultural resources and are hired to assess potential damage, monitor ongoing projects, and devise preservation plans. They may operate in a for-profit or not-for-profit capacity and are also known as cultural resource management consultants.
A contract archaeologist is a consultant hired to provide expert advice on the impact of public and private development on cultural resources or to help minimize what has already occurred. These types of consultants are hired to do an impact assessment before governments approve development projects and are usually hired to monitor and manage the impact of the project on the archaeological site. This type of applied archeology is also known as cultural resource management (CRM), public archeology, and salvage archeology.
The traditional job listing for an archaeologist describes someone who finds and studies material remains from past civilizations. Most people assume that an archaeologist spends his time digging in remote areas, finding buried treasure, and writing academic papers about its discovery. Alternatively, many would expect archaeologists to spend their time studying artifacts discovered by others in the field and teaching.
In addition to traditional job specifications, there is a growing field of archaeological consultancy that employs experts in the field to protect cultural resources from the negative impact of surrounding development and to help manage or restore threatened or damaged resources. Many countries rely on their culturally significant historic sites to drive tourism. Allowing companies and public bodies to proceed with development projects in close proximity to these resources without first determining the likely impact of the project can cause irreparable damage.
Governments often require a professional impact assessment before approving development projects close to cultural resources, just as they normally require an environmental impact assessment before approving a project that will affect natural resources. A contract archaeologist is an expert hired to assess the potential impact of development before a project is approved, provide ongoing support while the project is ongoing, and sometimes determine the extent of damage to cultural resources if something goes wrong. Consultants may also be called upon to assess damage done to cultural resources by factors other than development, such as climate change or natural disasters, and devise a preservation and recovery plan.
A contract archaeologist may operate in a for-profit or not-for-profit capacity. Many colleges and museums offer the services of contract archaeologists who generate income for the institution. Individual consultants operate on their own or as part of a for-profit company. Certain large companies have CRM divisions that manage cultural resources under contract and employ archaeologists to do the work.
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