19th August 2013, 07:44 PM
There is also a 4th alternative I would add to David's list....that is where normally full time professional archaeologists work for free. I would call it the archaeological equivalent of the legal professions pro bono system. I do it frequently for a number of reasons....mainly alturistic, but sometimes because a project really interests me or there is some element of travel involved. I don't think I would do it if I thought I as taking a paid job from someone else or that I am being unduly exploited.....then again I got my start in archaeology as a 'paid' volunteer so I guess I can't say that I didn't take advantage of a similar scenario to that which Lorna outlines...I would suggest though that archaeology does need a new model of employment that recognises the difficulty of securing full time or permanent employment when reliant on speculative funding sources. But hasn't that always been the case......?
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...