Archaeology: Course Details, Admission, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, Jobs & Salary

About Archaeology

A degree in Archaeology is the way to work at historical sites, indulge in the restoration of monuments and explore the ancient history of the country. 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.

Specialisations in Archaeology:

• Ethno-Archaeology
• Environmental Archaeology
• Battlefield Archaeology
• Archaeozoology
• Experimental Archaeology
• Urban Archaeology
• Marine Archaeology
• Archaeobotany
• Geoarchaeology

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 field work and other laboratory techniques

Type of Archaeological Courses:

Archaeology Eligibility Criteria

Diploma, Certificate and Degree Courses:

• In order to take admission in such courses, candidates will have to pass 10+2 exams from a recognized board.
• Candidates from arts, commerce as well as science programmes can apply for these programmes.
• Admissions to certificate and diploma programmes are done directly to the institutes offering these programmes.
• However, admission to B.A. in Archaeology courses offered by top universities is done on the basis of merit in class 12 board exams.

Post Graduate Degree and PG Diploma Courses:

• Candidates who have completed B.A. courses and passed with at least 50% marks can apply for M.A. in Archaeology.
• Admission to the M.A. programmes are dome on the basis of interviews. Some universities also take students on the basis of state level entrance exams or other such exams for art courses.
• Admission to PG diploma courses is done directly and candidates can apply after completing UG diploma as well as after pursuing B.A. in Archaeology.

Archaeology Syllabus

Popular Subjects:

Archaeology Career Options and Job Prospects

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.

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. Following are some popular jobs in this field:

• Professor of History
• Data History Analyst
• Social Science Teacher
• Research Fellow
• Curriculum Design Consultant
• Subject Matter Expert

An Archaeologist can earn around Rs. 15,000 – Rs. 20,000 per month initially if employed by the Archeological Survey of India. The pay scale for lecturers is approximately Rs. 20,000 per month at the beginning of their career. The candidates who possess a Doctorate in Archaeology could earn Rs. 30,000 per month or more depending on skills and experience in this field.