We surveyed 848 archaeologists to learn what personality traits and interests make them unique. Here are the results.


Holland Codes

Archaeologists are investigative and artistic

Archaeologists tend to be predominantly investigative individuals, which means that they are quite inquisitive and curious people that often like to spend time alone with their thoughts. They also tend to be artistic, meaning that they are creative and original and work well in a setting that allows for self-expression.

If you are one or both of these archetypes, you may be well suited to be an archaeologist. However, if you are social, this is probably not a good career for you. Unsure of where you fit in? Take the career test now.

Here’s how the Holland codes of the average archaeologist break down:


Big Five

The top personality traits of archaeologists are openness and social responsibility

Archaeologists score highly on openness, which means they are usually curious, imaginative, and value variety. They also tend to be high on the measure of social responsibility, indicating that they desire fair outcomes and have a general concern for others.

Once again, let’s break down the components of the personality of an average archaeologist: