Interested in archaeology? Participate in "voluntourism" at many archaelogical sites in Europe and elsewhere. Here's what you need to know to successfully volunteer.
Volunteering on an archaeological dig can be a rewarding way of spending your vacation. You'll experience working with the past, while enjoying a unique perspective on the present. Participating in a "voluntourism" experience creates a bond you won't normally find on your average group tour. Many volunteer opportunities require no previous experience, and there are digs going on all over the world.
Things You Should Know about Archeological Voluntourism Opportunities:
- Time requirements vary; the minimum is usually two weeks for paid participation opportunities. For other types of volunteering, the time commitment is often for 2-3 months.
- Some volunteer opportunities require a payment, while others are happy to have your help for free. Generally, the more you pay, the less you’ll be expected to actually know or do. The downside is that you may end up feeling more like a mascot than a working member of the team. In any case, expect to pay for your own meals and lodgings during your voluntourism experience.
- Depending on the location of the dig, voluntourism accommodations may be more primitive than you may be used to. Rooms will often be shared, and the bathroom - if there is one - may be far down the hall or outside. Showers may be rationed. If this is a problem for you, ask before you commit to becoming a participant.
- To be happy on an archaeological voluntourism trip, a spirit of adventure is an absolute necessity. If you're looking for luxury, you'll rarely find it.
- Though you're volunteering, work standards are high and require excellent record-keeping and the ability to work well as a part of a team. The volunteer positions will often be for less-interesting aspects of the work.
- Most projects which use volunteers will have a page of testimonials or tips from previous participants. Reading these materials can help a potential volunteer get a feel for the particular dig.
- Some archaeological excavations plan special events for volunteers, or arrange extra lectures or visits to other sites of interest in the area. If you’re trying to decide between two different programs, choose the one that offers the most enrichment to you outside of the dig experience itself.
- Love the idea of archaeology but it sounds like too much work for your vacation? Then taking an archaeological tour may be a better fit for you.
- If you are a college student, you may be able to receive credit for time spent volunteering on an archaeological dig. Check with your school and with the excavation leaders to see if the for-credit option can work for you.
- Apply early. Most volunteer digs take place in the summer months. The best time to apply is no later than the previous fall, but there are sometimes last-minute slots available. Desert locations will have their archaeological digs in the winter or early spring. Doesn't work with your schedule? Consider a dig in the opposite hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed.
Where to Look for Volunteer Opportunities on Archaeological Digs
The American Institute of Archaeology (AIA) maintains a searchable database of fieldwork opportunities. Enter a region and a list of digs will pop up. AIA Website
The copyright of the article Volunteer on an Archaeological Dig in Archaeology is owned by T. Regula. Permission to republish Volunteer on an Archaeological Dig in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
