An archaeologist is a professional who attempts to discover and analyse the evidence of past civilizations through the help of Archaeological Studies. He is responsible for unveiling a rich store of information about the beliefs, social structure, economic organization and the environmental effects of past societies or civilizations. It is the field which is helpful to build the picture of the past and responsibility to preserve our ancient culture for the next generations to compare present to past.
With the help of disciplines like Geography, History, Anthropology, Chemistry, Geology, Art and literature etc., an archaeologist analyses the information and draws the conclusions on many past and present issues of importance. Archaeological inputs are considered important in issues such as environmental conservation, urban societies, town planning etc. These discoveries involve a variety of field techniques and laboratory procedures.
Established in 1862, the Archaeological Survey of India is responsible for the maintenance, conservation and preservation of centrally protected monuments and archaeological sites in the country. With the advent of new technology and bent of the youth towards the unconventional professions like this, the importance of archaeologist as a professional is increasing with time. Archaeology is now considered as a rewarding and challenging career for those who have an analytical mind and have a keen desire to know about the past civilizations.
Archaeologist Eligibility
Educational Qualifications
Basic qualification to get admission in courses related to Archaeologist is 10+2.
Age Limits
No specific age requirement is there.
Archaeologist Required Skills
- Archaeologist should be hardworking and dedicated to his duties.
- Archaeologist career demands intensive foresight and inside depth of the field one, is working in.
- One should have the capacity to work hard with commitment, open mind and honesty.
- He requires special knowledge and training which can be acquired by going through a particular kind of studies and required training.
Institutes offering Courses for Archaeologist
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Baroda
- Ranchi University, Ranchi
How to become an Archaeologist?
To be an Archaeologist one has to follow the given steps:
Step 1
To become an Archaeologist, one needs to have a graduation degree with History as a subject and a minimum of 55 % marks.
Step 2
With the above qualification in hand one can apply for:
- One year Diploma
- Two year Post Graduation Diploma
- Post-graduation (M.A. / M.Sc.) (of 2 years of duration) in different fields of Archaeology.
However, admission to the two year Post Graduate diploma course at the prestigious "The Institute of Archaeology”, the academic wing of the Archaeological Survey of India in New Delhi, is on the basis of a written exam and an interview.
Step 3
After undergoing any one or more of the above-mentioned course one can either go for the higher studies (PhD after completion of Post graduation only) or opt for a job in various private and public sector organization involved in this field.
Archaeologist Job Description
The main activities of an Archaeologist include fieldwork, excavation of sites and periodical classification of them as well as dating and interpretation of materials so excavated. The probe into the past and define earlier civilizations. Their researches and findings are preserved and maintained for present and future learning. Modern archaeologists have enhanced the accuracy of their work with scientific techniques of carbon dating of artefacts etc. As the work of an archaeologist can affect the present and future of the generations to come thus a great importance is attached to the job of an archaeologist.
Archaeologist Career Prospects
There is a great scope for the qualified archaeologist in various public and private organizations including Archaeological Survey of India that provides Diploma course to the aspirants. A degree holder in Archaeology can work as a tourist guide, heritage managers, interpreters, resource persons of trip organizers in the tourism industry.
However if one wants to join some government organization he has to take up examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission or examinations conducted by Staff Selection Commission. In the government sector, the successful candidates in the tests are absorbed in Defence services, museums, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, cultural centres and historical division of the Ministry of External Affairs to name a few.
Besides all these opportunities in our own country, the Archaeologist has great scope abroad for jobs as well as research in various colleges and universities offering for it with well-furnished research programmes.
Archaeologist Salary
Because of the global demand of the Archaeologist and supply being far less than the demand, these professionals can bargain for hefty pay packages from their employers. For a start, an Archaeologist can expect a salary in the range of Rs.20,000 to Rs.30,000 per month. Whereas experienced and qualified professionals can demand salary packages ranging from Rs.5 lakhs per annum to around Rs.8 lakhs per annum.
