08/11/1997 26445

ARCHAEOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN

DEFINITION: This is technical work assisting in all aspects of archaeological field investigations. An employee in this class assists a Curator, Historic Preservation Specialist, or Historic Preservation Supervisor with preparing, conducting, and analyzing the results of archaeological investigations.

Specific field duties include preparing profile drawings, sketch maps, photographs, and surveys; obtaining artifacts through surface collection and hand excavation; and conducting a preliminary identification of artifacts. In the laboratory, duties entail washing and marking artifacts, conducting secondary lithic and ceramic artifact identification and analysis, computer coding and entry of artifact data, and producing maps, charts, graphs, and drawings of the artifacts and the archaeological site. Work may include the preparation of collections for further specialized analysis and curation. Work is reviewed by a supervisor for adherence to technical archaeological field standards. Work may also involve training volunteer staff in rudimentary archaeological principles.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Excavate shovel test pits and larger excavation units in all types of soil, using normal archaeological field tools and equipment.

Take accurate readings and measurements using tapes, compasses, levels, Munsell Soil Color Charts, and other common measuring devices.

Conduct controlled surface collections of artifacts from plowed fields.

Interpret soil profiles and identify subsurface soil horizons and natural/cultural features.

Properly extract soil, feature, and carbon samples for detailed analysis.

Identify and quantify lithic, ceramic, glass, and metal artifacts from typical Middle Atlantic or Eastern North American sites.

Produce completed field forms, hand written field notes, soil profiles, sketch maps, field journals, and necessary reports.

Read and interpret topographic maps, technical reports, and journals.

Operate a motor vehicle in good to poor weather conditions on and off paved roads.

Operate a personal computer, using basic word processing and data base management skills.

Catalogue and inventory archaeological collections.

Identify conservation problems and report those problems to the supervisor.

Prepare artifacts and records for long-term curation.

Performs other related duties.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of proper field excavation techniques.

Knowledge of lithic, ceramic, glass, and metal artifacts from typical Middle Atlantic or Eastern North American sites.

Skills in the reading and interpretation of topographic maps, technical reports, and journals.

Ability to use tapes, compasses, levels, Munsell Soil Color Charts, and other common measuring devices.

Ability to recognize and interpret subsurface soil horizons and natural/cultural features.

Ability to properly extract soil, feature, and carbon samples for detailed analysis.

Ability to complete field forms, hand written field notes, soil profiles, sketch maps, field journals, and reports.

Ability to write coherently and concisely in the English language.

Ability to clean, label, and accurately inventory archaeological collections.

Ability to recognize conservation problems in archaeological collections.

Ability to package and shelve archaeological collections and systematically file associated records.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Ability to operate a personal computer for basic word processing and database management.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Six months field experience on an archaeological excavation,

                                                                                                                                       or

Completion of a university sponsored archaeology field school of at least eight weeks duration that includes field and laboratory experience, and nine credit hours of course work in archaeology, anthropology, or a related subject.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Some positions in this classification may be required to possess a valid Class C motor vehicle operator's license.