Archaeologist vs. Anthropologist: What's the Difference?

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Updated June 6, 2025

Archaeology and anthropology are two areas of expertise that focus on learning about societies and human behavior. While archaeologists and anthropologists can study similar subjects, their careers can differ in many ways. If you're interested in becoming an archaeologist or an anthropologist, it might be helpful to learn about the differences between the two job titles so you can pursue the career that's best for you. In this article, we consider how the two fields can differ and explore the primary differences between an archaeologist versus an anthropologist.Related: 16 Cultural Anthropologist Jobs To Explore

What is the difference between archaeology and anthropology?

There are a few differences between archaeology and anthropology, such as the goal of each area of study. In archaeology, studies typically aim to gain a deeper understanding of human societies that existed in the past, while professionals in anthropology can focus on communities from the past and present. Archaeology also puts a strong emphasis on geography, though anthropology focuses more on learning about people from different cultures and how they develop and interact. In many places, people classify archaeology as a specialization that exists within the field of anthropology, as it can consider many of the same concepts.Related: Anthropology: Definition, Types and How To Become an Anthropologist

Archaeologist vs. anthropologist

Here are some of the key differences between an archaeologist and an anthropologist:

Areas of study

One of the biggest differences between an archaeologist and an anthropologist is the subject that each professional studies. The primary focus of an archaeologist is typically learning about societies from the past by studying physical evidence people leave behind. This can include artifacts like buildings, tools, clothing and other signs of a society that archaeologists can investigate. Archaeologists can also study bones from ancient animals and humans to learn about how different species have developed over time. Because archaeologists work mainly with artifacts, they often study civilizations from long ago, such as the Stone Age and the Bronze Age.In contrast, anthropologists can study cultures from the past and the present, and they most often use cultural evidence, such as written language and observed behaviors. For example, an anthropologist might conduct a case study, where they travel to a new community and interview local people to learn about their habits. Then, they can compare the information they collect to records from the past to draw conclusions about why certain societal developments have occurred. Anthropologists can also sometimes study physical evidence, such as bones or artifacts, and those who do typically identify as interdisciplinary.Related: What Is an Archaeologist? Definition, Job Duties and How To Become One

Job duties

An archaeologist and an anthropologist can also differ in the job duties they typically have. For example, some of the most common responsibilities for an archaeologist are:

Conducting archaeological digs to excavate artifacts
Researching potential historic sites for new studies
Preparing dig sites with the proper equipment, such as shovels and augers
Investigating artifacts they collect to identify their characteristics, uses and time periods
Giving talks about the history of certain locations
Ensuring that all dig sites adhere to regulations for excavation
Writing reports about their findings to share with fellow scientists and the public

The responsibilities of an anthropologist usually focus more on interacting with people and observing their behavior. Here are a few job duties that an anthropologist can often have:

Visiting historic locations to conduct field research
Studying the use and development of language in various societies over time
Reviewing documents from civilizations across history to trace patterns
Testing biological samples to learn about the health and development of communities
Interviewing local people from different areas about their cultures
Finding connections between pieces of historical evidence to draw conclusions about human behavior
Living in communities to learn about the daily routine of local people
Publishing their studies for other anthropologists to reference

Work environment

Another difference between archaeologists and anthropologists is their work environments. As archaeologists spend much of their time recovering and studying artifacts, they most often work on dig sites that they set up in historical locations. When investigating the artifacts they recover, archaeologists can also work in laboratories or offices where they can conduct tests and store samples safely. Some archaeologists also find work at museums or historical sites where they can give tours or presentations about the history of a particular place or civilization. Archaeologists usually work full-time hours and often take on extended hours while traveling or on excavations.For anthropologists, the typical work environment is an office or laboratory. This is because these settings can allow them to analyze the evidence they collect and perform high volumes of research. Some anthropologists who work with evidence like music or voice recordings might also need a quiet place to work, such as a library or home office. Anthropologists can also travel to different locations for work to conduct observations and interviews, meaning their work environment can change frequently. Most anthropologists work full-time hours during the week, with occasional overtime when they travel.Related: How To Become an Archaeologist: Education Requirements and Steps

Similarities between archaeologists and anthropologists

Here are a few ways that archaeologists and anthropologists can be similar:

Studying the past: Both archaeologists and anthropologists can study civilizations from the past. This can mean that they sometimes work with the same types of communities and investigate the same time periods.
Using physical artifacts: Another similarity between archeologist and anthropologists is that they both can interact with physical artifacts. This means that both disciplines can sometimes study the same evidence, such as bones, tools and books.
Emphasizing research: Archaeologists and anthropologists both also conduct high volumes of research. This can include tasks like reviewing documents, browsing historical records and reading studies from other scientists.
Traveling for work: The frequency of their traveling is another way that archaeologists and anthropologists can be similar. This is because both positions often have to travel to new locations to perform on-site work, such as archaeological digs or anthropological observations.

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