Career Prospects of Archaeology: Skills Required

Sakunth Kumar

Updated On: February 10, 2022 01:21 am IST

Learn about the scope, pay scale and career prospects of pursuing a course in Archaeology here. Also get a list of colleges offering UG & PG courses in the field.

Career Prospects of Archaeology: Skills Required

Remember the school trips/ picnics to heritage sites, monuments, museums, etc? Ever wanted to learn more about the facts and findings of ancient times? Did you know that you could turn this passion into a full-time career? Yes, you can! A degree in Archaeology is the way to that. A person who studies ancient remains and culture is referred to as an Archaeologist. Archaeology is considered one of the best courses as it gives you a bright career in the future.

Archaeology is an interdisciplinary activity that involves the investigation of material developed by previous human societies. The primary objective of the course is to study past human cultures through survey, identification, and excavation of historical sites.

Archaeology is an excellent option as it leads to a broad range of employment opportunities not only in India but also abroad.

Various universities/institutes in India are offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Archaeology. CollegeDekho.com brings to you several career prospects in the field of Archeology.

How to become an Archaeologist?

There are undergraduate and postgraduate degrees that are available in the field of Archaeology. However, if you have a Bachelor’s qualification in any discipline, you can directly enroll for a postgraduate degree. The students who possess a degree in Geology or classical languages can also apply for the course. The students who opt for a course in Archeology have to study the following subjects:-

  • Application of Science in Archaeology

  • Principles and Methods of Archaeology

  • Protohistory

  • Prehistory

  • Historical Archaeology

  • Architecture

  • Museology

  • Structural Conservation of Ancient Monuments

  • Epigraphy and Numismatics

  • Chemical Preservation of Monuments and Antiquities

  • Art and Iconography

Is there a demand for Archaeology graduates?

A variety of opportunities for archaeologists are available in museums, local government offices, heritage agencies etc. However, it completely depends on the skill set you are able to gather while pursuing studies, and how much of it you are able to apply in practice. Jobs are plenty, but the current workforce is not plenty to cater to the needs of the field. It is predicted that the demand for skilled archaeologists will only increase in the time to come.

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Areas of Specialization in Archaeology

There are various fields of study in Archaeology:-

  • Environmental Archaeology

  • Archaeozoology

  • Battlefield Archaeology

  • Experimental Archaeology

  • Marine Archaeology

  • Urban Archaeology

  • Archaeobotany

  • Ethno-Archaeology

  • Geoarchaeology

You can choose any of the above specializations as per your interest and previous qualifications.

Skills Required to Become an Archaeologist

  • Excellent communication skills and knowledge in the concerned specialization is essential

  • Attention to detail and a focused bent of mind

  • Interpreting spatial data

  • Applying statistical and mathematical techniques

  • Involvement in fieldwork and other laboratory techniques

Eligibility Criteria for Archaeology

The minimum eligibility criteria:

  • For Bachelors in Archaeology, an applicant is to clear 10+2 in any stream from any recognized board of examination/institute.
  • For Masters in Archaeology, an applicant should be a graduate from any recognized university or institution in Archaeology, anthropology, Indian History Culture, etc.
  • For a postgraduate diploma in Archaeology, an applicant should be master from any recognized university or institution in Archaeology, anthropology, Indian History Culture, etc

Career Prospects/ Future in Archaeology

  • The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the primary recruiter of archaeologists at both the central and state level.

  • The graduates can secure jobs in ASI by clearing Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination or State Public Service Commission (SPSC) exam.

  • The students who possess a postgraduate degree in Archaeology can apply for the post of lecturers/professors in various universities across the country. However, qualifying marks in National Eligibility Test (NET) is mandatory to become a professor.

  • The candidates who qualify JRF examination can opt for Doctoral degrees in Archaeology.

  • The Archaeologists will also have a chance to secure jobs in government or privately owned museums in regard to preserving museum artifacts

  • However, most of the employment opportunities in the field of Archaeology are being offered by the government that can be easily linked to job security.

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Salary Scope in Archaeology

  • An Archaeologist can earn around INR 3,50,000 to INR 10,00,000 per annum at the beginning level and senior level respectively if employed by Government agencies like the Archeological Survey of India

  • The pay scale for lecturers is approximately INR 2,50,000 at the amateur level and around INR 6,00,000 per annum at the senior level

  • The candidates who possess a Doctorate in Archaeology could earn around INR 3,50,000 per annum during the initial days and can get up to INR 10,00,000 per annum at the senior level

Top institutes in India for Archaeology

Good luck!! For more news/articles and updates, stay tuned to collegedekho.com.

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FAQs

Is it hard to get a job in Archaeology field?

Yes, it is a bit hard to find a job in the archaeology field. It's very competitive and often a low-paid job. Firstly you'll need a good degree in archaeology, often a master's too. You'll need a lot of experience which can be gained fairly readily if you're prepared to volunteer at digs regularly for a few years.
 

How many years does it take to be an Archaeologist?

The education needed to work in the field of archaeology is a 4-year college degree (BA or BS). Usually archaeologists major in anthropology or archaeology followed by the training they receive in the archaeological field and laboratory techniques.

What qualifications are needed to be an Archaeologist ?

For archaeology aspirants subjects like History, Anthropology, Sociology, etc. build a solid foundation for a career in archaeology. A bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology or History, and a master's degree in Archaeology and Historical Studies are required to qualify and work as an Archaeologist.

Can a science student become an archaeologist?

Yes, Science and Archaeology are interdisciplinary. Geology deals with the soils and rocks that Archaeologists work in. Botanists work with paleosols and phytoliths to date sites and artifacts. Therefore, science students can apply for archaeology. 

Does archaeology require math subject?

Yes, at least basic proficiency in arithmetic, geometry, and statistics is required. In case, If you just want to dig, and you are happy with a volunteer position on an excavation, you can get away with not knowing much math.

Can students do archeology after BA?

Candidates who have completed B.A. courses and passed with at least 50% marks and are willing to apply, can go for M.A. in Archaeology.

How to become a professional archaeologist in India?

For becoming an archaeologist a person can opt for any stream after the 10th standard, however, the arts/humanities stream is preferable. Candidates must pursue a bachelor's degree in archaeology/ anthropology or related fields from a UGC-recognized university/institute. Note: Even getting Qualifying for the BA degree makes an applicant eligible to find jobs in archaeology field.

Does archaeology pay well salary?

Archaeologists made a median salary of Rs. 20L per annum.

Is choosing Archaeology is a good option?

Archaeology can be a great career, but it doesn't pay very well in India, and there are distinct hardships to life. 

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