It is that sense of contribution that makes EIA work peculiarly worthwhile, whether one comes into the field as an archaeologist, a biologist, a sociologist, or a soil scientist. One’s research connects with the real world, with real people, and real needs. The EIA specialist is involved in solving practical problems, and engaging with communities in identifying and protecting the places they hold dear. Many archaeologists find this the most rewarding part of their work - that it involves them with communities trying to save things that they care about.
EIA work also is - or should be - highly interdisciplinary, so an EIA archaeologist has the opportunity to enjoy the intellectual stimulation that comes from being part of a team with members of other disciplines. Unfortunately, much EIA work tends to be multidisciplinary rather than interdisciplinary - each discipline working by itself, with the results pulled together into an overall report by an editor. But when the work truly is an interdisciplinary team effort, it can be particularly rewarding.
EIA work takes archaeologists to interesting places where they might not otherwise travel. Because human development takes place all over the world, there is a need for EIA work almost everywhere. EIA archaeology is done in great cities and remote deserts and jungles, even on the bottom of the sea. Parts of the world that had seen little or no archaeological research in the past have become part of the archaeological universe because scholars have gone there to prepare EIAs. There is even talk of the need for EIA archaeology on the moon.
World History
