Overview

Archaeology

You must have heard of the subject of Archaeology. But do you know what the subject entails? Archaeology focuses on material records left behind by humans to derive knowledge and information about them. Archaeology is a discipline under Humanities and can be considered to be a part of the anthropological sciences.

Unlike palaeontology, archaeology takes into account not only fossil remains but also artefacts, architecture, and cultural landscapes. It is most important for analyzing prehistoric societies that did not leave any literary record of their times behind. A study of Archaeology can help you chart the changes that human civilization has been subject to over the centuries and millennia.

Who can study archaeology?

If you wish to study a B.A. course in Archaeology, you must have completed your 10+2 in the Humanities Stream. Specializing in subjects such as History and Sociology enable you to attune yourself to the study of Archaeology better.

In order to undergo an M.A. course in Archaeology, it is recommended that you have an undergraduate degree in History/Anthropology/Archaeology to meet the eligibility criteria.

A lot of colleges and universities in India offer academic courses in the discipline of Archeology. Besides meeting the eligibility criteria, some of these colleges may also screen students via an entrance test.

The top colleges to study for a postgraduate degree in Archeology in India are mentioned below –

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Institute of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi
Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra
Panjab University, Chandigarh
The Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management, Delhi
Barkatullah Vishwavidhyalaya, Bhopal
Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya
Bangalore University
University of Mysore
Patna University
University of Madras

All of these colleges and universities listed above require a minimum of 55% score at UG level for you to be eligible to apply to them.

What is the Career Scope?

What are some of the professional fields that you can explore as an Archaeology Major? Studying Archaeology enables you to make a career in the following professions –

You can serve as a lecturer in various universities and institutes with a PG diploma in Archaeology.
You can work in a government or privately run museum where you will be in charge of the safety and maintenance of the displayed artefacts.
An Archaeology Major can work in the tourism industry as a knowledgeable tour guide of historical sites. They can also serve as interpreters for foreign tourists.

If you are interested in conducting research professionally, a degree in Archaeology can be advantageous to you.

What is the Salary?

The education you opt for acts as a stepping stone to your professional career, in most cases. When you choose to study Archaeology, you will want to know what your earning scope will be later on in life.

As a fresher with an Archaeology degree, you can expect to get paid between Rs 2.5-3.5 LPA. Once you’ve gathered a few years in the industry, you can expect to earn between Rs 5-8 LPA. Experienced archaeologists working for the government have even been reported to make as much as a whopping Rs 10 LPA.

Who are the major recruiters for archaeologists in India?

Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
National Heritage Agencies
Universities and colleges
Government and private museums/cultural galleries

What are the Books and Study Material available?

If you intend to study for preparatory entrance exams for pursuing academic courses in Archaeology or simply want to make yourself more knowledgeable on the subject, you could start with reading the following books –

Mock tests available online
NCERT syllabus of class 11th and 12th (studying subjects such as History, Geography, Sociology, etc)

While these books will most definitely improve your knowledge on the subject of Archaeology, you may also want to brush up on your general knowledge and awareness of historical facts. A fair amount of awareness and historical expertise are equally tested in college and university entrance examinations, which assess the eligibility of students wishing to pursue a course in Archaeology.