Archaeology: Institutes, Scopes, Career Opportunities and Other Details

The study of Archaeology involves the research and analysis of the artefacts for getting a scientific and orderly study of human cultures and foundations. The documentation of material remains and environmental data like seals, inscriptions, monuments, edifices, landscapes and biofacts presents the picture of the cultures, norms, the structure under which society was set up and other intricate details. Candidates with the Historical background and interested in following undiscovered facts can pursue this course. With the new techniques and various methods, the study in this area is now welcoming various enthusiasts.

After completing a degree in this discipline candidates go for an Archaeologist profession. There are opportunities for working with many Government organizations who work on the preservation of the artefacts and demand the new talent with the thorough knowledge. Most of the Archaeologists in India work in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in its exploration, excavation, epigraphy, pre-history and museum branches. The ASI Diploma is a must for these jobs, for the conservation and the maintenance of the 3600 centrally protected sites and monuments, chemical preservation of antiquarian remains. This profession also provides with the maintenance of the site, museum and publications among other things. The History enthusiasts find themselves to be inspired to pursue this profession.

Go through the details mentioned in the article below if the planning of taking up Archaeology as a discipline and establishing a career in it.

Career Opportunities:

There are numerous career opportunities that can be explored under this profession. With a History background in Social Sciences, you can pursue a profession in this after acquiring the diploma in Archaeology. There are various job sectors who look for candidates with a thorough knowledge and strong facts. Go through the various career opportunities which you can look for after acquiring the required degree and diploma. Go through the career opportunities from the points below.

Archivist: The job of the archivist pertains to maintain, manage documents and other records or materials that are of historical importance for individuals, organizations and nations. The work profile is of maintaining and keeping up to date paper documents, photographs, maps, films and computer record projects describing or preserving the records.

Heritage and Environment Heritage: The growing concern and the job under this profession are with the identification, protection and stewardship of cultural heritage while the environment management is more concerned with the protection of the natural resources and historic buildings.

Epigraphists: The work profile is the study of the inscriptions or epigraphs as writing involving identifying graphemes, classifying their uses according to dates and cultural contexts, clarifying meanings and drawing conclusions about the writers and their writings. The artistic value of the composition is to recognize and understand the purpose, religious, style, political and cultural traditions of the symbols on the inscriptions.

Museologist: Museum studies or Museology is the art of studying museums, museum curation and how museums developed their institutional role in education in the context of social and political forces. The role of the museologist is also to maintain the record of each item- the origin, age and conservation details.

Ethno Archaeology: The ethnographic research on the past societies to gain an insight on them and how the cultural, social and political differences have seen a variation with passing time.

Numismatists: This involves the study of currency i.e. coins, banknotes or money as an exchange object in some other form of bread, tokens or related objects. It also has a various specialization like Exonumia (Study of Coin), Notaphily (Study of paper money) and Scripophily (the study of stocks or bonds)

Institutes for Pursuing Archaeology:

There are various institutes which offer Archaeology as a discipline and provide a full-fledged degree in the subject. These institutes have a well-researched curriculum and competent faculty. Candidates interested in pursuing this discipline are required to make themselves familiar with the institutes and the procedure of the admission and the eligibility criteria that is followed by each Institute. Since the heritage of each country needs to be preserved and curated, there are various institutes all over the world offering this discipline. We have mentioned here the list of the colleges, both in India and Abroad, offering this discipline. Take a look.

Indian Institutes for Pursuing Archaeology:

Institutes for Pursuing Archaeology Abroad:

How to Pursue Archaeology:

Candidates interested in pursuing Archaeology and establishing themselves in an established career are required to attain certain degrees or certificates for joining the institutions responsible for preserving the artefacts. There are various forms of the scope of employment that can be explored by the candidates and can choose which profession they want to choose. Go through the points mentioned below for the detailed information regarding the degree and eligibility required for pursuing Archaeology as a discipline.

• After clearing class 12th exam from any stream to pursue B.A./B.Sc. In any field or Anthropology for 3 years. If interested in Research, you can go for M.A. in Archaeology/Ancient Indian History and Archaeology/Museology/Conservation, preservation and Heritage Management for 2 years. After Masters, you can go for M.Phil in Archaeology for 2 years or can also pursue PhD in Archaeology for 3 to 4 years.
• Another option of pursuing Archaeology is to clear class 12th from any stream and pursue B.A./B.Sc. In any field or Archaeology for 3 years. You can directly opt to pursue Post Graduate Diploma in Archaeology and Museology for 1 to 2 years and can apply for jobs in the Archaeological Organizations.

Work Description:

The work description under this profession depends upon the qualification that you have attained. The specific work profiles demand the different form of expertise as per the skill and eligibility demanded. The work profile depends upon that and the technicality and awareness towards the work are especially required under this profession. Go through the work profiles that have been mentioned in points below.

• Analyze findings by groupings, identifying and classifying them.
• To ensure that the buildings, monuments and the structures are protected and preserved.
• Getting an opportunity of working on field excavations, digs, usually as a part of the team also using a range of the digging equipment.
• Record sites, detailed notes, drawings and photography.
• Managing excavation, including managing teams of diggers.
• Use Computer Application such as Computer-aided designs and Geographical information systems to record and Interpret finds, sites and landscapes.
• Carrying out the research and desk-based assessment of sites.
• Publish articles regarding the research and the new discoveries reflecting the past cultures and people.
• Examining sites using a variety of methods, including field walking, geophysical surveys and aerial photography.