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 the 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 about the ancient remains and culture is referred to as an Archaeologist.

Archaeology is an interdisciplinary activity which 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 enrol 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 specialisations as per your interest and previous qualifications.

Skills Required to Become an Archaeologist:-

• Excellent communication skills and knowledge in the concerned specialisation 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

Career Prospects in Archaeology:-

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the primary recruiter of archaeologists at both 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 artefacts

• 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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Pay Scale:-

• 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:-

• National Museum Institute, New Delhi

• School of Social Science, University of Solapur, Maharashtra

• Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management

• Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh

• Sri Dhavala College, Moodbidri, Karnataka

• Andhra University, Visakhapatnam

• Centre for Museology and Conservation, University of Rajasthan

• Centre for Extra-Mural Studies, University of Mumbai

• Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Madras

• Department of Ancient History, Culture and Archaeology, Panjab University

Good luck!!