JOIN USA perceptive and probing mind, keen observation, a desire to know about the past, appreciation of the arts and analytical reasoning are the essential attributes of an archaeologist. Archaeology unveils a rich store of information about past civilisations, monuments, social and political structure, religious beliefs, economic organisations and the environment.
The Bachelor of Archaeology programme is preferably for those candidates who have a background of Ancient History and Culture. Those with a pass in the 10+2 stream can apply for a Bachelor’s course in Archaeology. After the completion of graduation one can also opt for a Post Graduate Diploma in Archaeology.
Multi-dimensional course
Archaeology is the science of studying human cultures through recovery, analysis, and documentation of material remains. Hence, it is considered a multi-dimensional stream often dealing with the integrated knowledge of History, Geography, Anthropology with Geology, Chemistry, Art and Literature. Archaeology offers study in the core areas of: Numismatics, Epigraphy, Archives, Museology, Protohistory Art, Chemical Preservation and a detailed study of illustrated manuscripts, fossils, inscriptions and coins.
The key specialisation areas of Archaeology are Historical Archaeology, Enthnoarchaeology, Experimental Archaeology, Archaeometry, Computational Archaeology, Isotope Analysis, Geoarchaeology and Bioarchaeology. In order to become a good archaeologist the aspirant needs to intern with a senior archaeologist, learn new techniques of excavation, observe the excavation of sites and analyse relics and monuments.
Career prospects
Archaeologists have excellent scope as the Indian civilisation goes back to a thousand years. Archaeology offers interesting job opportunities in the government as well as private sectors. The work involves spending a lot of time at the site of excavation, carefully excavating the artefacts, preserving, and studying them.
Therefore, they can seek jobs in archives, cultural and historical centres and state archaeological departments. Degree holders can work as tour managers, interpreters, resource persons and trip organisers in the tourism industry. Archaeologists can also seek employment as museum curators, linguists and surveyors and as specialists like numismatists and epigraphists.
They can also travel to other countries for overseas projects. Candidates can appear for the State Public Service Commission examination and can find jobs in state archaeological departments. One can also be employed with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) by clearing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination.
The National Museum, New Delhi, the state museums and the National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage also employ archaeologists. Those who are interested in teaching Archaeology can clear the State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) or the National Eligibility Test (NET) and find jobs in colleges and universities offering the archaeology programme.
Since the nature of the job is very diverse, the salary can vary tremendously. In the public sector a junior earns around Rs 10,000 per month whereas a senior earns around Rs 20,000 per month. In colleges and universities the pay package is upto Rs 25,000 per month depending upon the seniority.
The Archaeological Survey of India and state archaeological departments offer remuneration equal to that of civil servants. Archaeologists working for private museums and galleries are granted a higher pay package than those in the public sector.
Courses
The duration for the Bachelors programme is three years and it is two years for a Post Graduate degree. Post Graduate Diploma in Archaeology (PGDA) is offered by the Archaeological Survey of India, Institute of Archaeology, New Delhi. Those who have completed MA in Ancient/ Medieval History or MA/MSc in Archaeology with 55 per cent marks are eligible for this course.
One has to clear a written test and go through an interview session in order to obtain a PGDA from the Archaeological Survey of India. The Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management offers two specialisation courses — Masters in Conservation, Preservation and Management and Masters in Archaeology and Heritage Management.
Those who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, History, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology and Museology are eligible for the above mentioned courses.