Archaeology is an amazing career choice after 12th class. If you are interested, here are some important things that can help you decide.
What is Archaeology?
The word “Archaeology” has been derived from the Greek word “arkhaiologia” which means ancient history. The word was first published in 15th century by a famous UK scholar named William Whewell.
Archaeology is a study of past human life, which basically means studying the things they left behind. Archaeologist's "dig" through historical layers of soil and dirt to discover what has been hidden for years. Archaeologists study anything from pottery and tools to starch grains, pollen and bones to learn how prehistoric people lived and what happened to them.
Who are Archaeologists?
A true archaeologist is a historical detective that seeks to uncover and understand the past. Archaeologists are tasked with understanding the different types of evidence of human behaviour from groups of people long ago. The job itself can be difficult as the science is greatly depending on the location and type of site being excavated.
Types of Archaeology:
Prehistoric, historical, underwater and urban archaeology are the four types of archaeology.
Prehistoric Archaeology – The field of prehistoric archaeology deals with the study of past cultures that did not have any written language. Prehistoric archaeologists are primarily interested in the time periods before humans started to create writing and begin recording their history.
Historical Archaeology – One cannot imagine the field of archaeology without mentioning historical archaeology. This discipline is the study of cultures or civilizations that existed during the period of recorded history. Archaeology's history has always been interwoven with historical chronicles, and for many centuries, scientists were only able to rely on contemporary sources that talked about lost civilizations, cultures and events. In a way, these collective memories were often warped by erroneous memories or mere folktales that were passed down from generation to generation.
Underwater Archaeology – Underwater archaeology is a branch of archaeology and underwater research, that studies heritage and archives under water. It involves the physical remains of human activities regarding the sea. The remains may be of maritime vessels, or structures such as sunken cities, shipwrecks or even submerged landmasses.
Urban Archaeology– Urban Archaeology is a branch of Archaeology conducting research and analysis in urban areas with long histories of human activity. This research is done using traditional archaeological and physical anthropological methods in addition to new technologies, methodologies, and analytical techniques.
There are more than a hundred skills needed to become an archaeologist. Let us discuss some of them.
- well-organised approach, with effective attention to depth detail
- Enthusiasm & zeal to know with the developments in archaeology
- strong team work skills, particularly at the time of fieldwork
- self-motivation and focus
- extra communication skills and the ability to effectively work with other professionals
- master in using various tools and instruments
- patience and dedication
- Good Computer Operation skills
- An analytical mind, with a keen interest in the archaeology
Now Big Question in your mind is , Avaialble Courses after 12th:
There are several courses like diploma, bachelor, masters and doctoral courses are available in this field related to Indian History, Culture and Archeology. Basic requirements to pursue bachelor courses are candidates must have passed 10+2 standard from any stream.
List of Undergraduate Courses:
- Diploma in Indian Archaeology
- Bachelor of Arts in Indian History Culture and Archaeology
- Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and Museology
List of Master Courses:
- MA in Archaeology
- MA in Ancient Indian History and Archaeology
- Master of Science in Archaeology
- Master of Philosophy in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology
- Post-Graduate Diploma in Archaeology
- Doctor of Philosophy in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology
Best Colleges In India:
- Institute of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
- Barkatullah Vishwavidhyalaya, Bhopal
- The Delhi Institute of Heritage Research & Management, New Delhi
- Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (Haryana)
- Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, Panjab University, Chandigarh
Career and Pay scale
Thinking of how much you earn or what is the job you get after graduation, don’t worry Archeology in India has a rich career scope
In India, as a fresher anyone can start their career between 2.5-3.5 LPA which is an average salary earned by any fresh software Engineer now a days.
With increase of experiences your pay scale increases too.
The average salary for an archaeologist in the United States is around $63,670 per year.
Salary always depends on the individual and differs with everyone.A doctoral degree is a must need for a better career and a good salary package in this field.
Job Roles:
- Archaeologist
- Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer
- Museum/gallery curator
- Heritage manager
- Lecturer
- Documentation Specialist
- Museum education office
Top Recruiting Companies:
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
- National heritage agencies
- Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)
- Government and private museums and cultural galleries
- Universities and colleges
Job Responsibility:
- Preserve, restore and clean artefacts.
- Collecting data about the archaeological site.
- Collect artefacts made of stone, metal, bones and preserve them.
- Create drawings and maps of unit profiles, stratum surfaces, features, and findings.
It is generally said that the person who has his/her dream career will be
happy and successful. This dream career can be achieved by following
some simple methods. However, this is not a general advice but the
method you should follow depends upon your personal interests,
temperament, and character.