Archaeology deals with study of human cultures by recovery, analysis, and documentation of material remains. It also includes the study of environmental data such as artifacts, architecture, landscapes, features, and biofacts. This is a stream of science which integrates the knowledge of geography, history, and anthropology with geology, art, chemistry, and literature. This is an exciting career as an archaeologist try to discover and reinterpret history.

Course Details

The main branches of Archaeology are epigraphy, museology, archives, and numismatics. Archaeology has many specializations like Ethno archaeology, Archaeometry, Geoarchaeology, Isotope analysis, Bioarchaeology, Historical Archaeology, Experimental Archaeology, Computational Archaeology etc. The candidates can pursue graduate, diploma, PG diploma, post graduate, and doctoral courses in Archaeology.

Eligibility Criteria

The minimum qualification required for a bachelor degree in Archaeology is 12th or equivalent. To pursue any post graduation courses in Archaeology, the aspirant should have completed their graduation in history with at least 55% marks. Those who are interested in conducting research programs on Archaeology can pursue Ph.D.

Institutes that offer Archaeology courses

In India, there are many colleges or universities that offer different courses in Archaeology. A few of them are listed below:

• Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
• Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
• Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management
• Institute of Archaeology, New Delhi
• Andhra University, Vishakapatnam
• Kurukshetra University, Haryana
• Jiwaji University, Gwalior
• Panjab University, Chandigarh
• National Archives of India, New Delhi
• School of Archival Studies, New Delhi
• St. Thomas College,  Kerala
• Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar
• University of Calcutta
• Osmania University, Hyderabad

Career Opportunities

Archaeology specialists can work as Epigraphists and Numismatists. The candidates completing their archaeology course from Institute of Archaeology are quickly absorbed by ASI. These students can also appear for exams like UPSC, SSC, etc to get a job in public sector. Some organizations that offer placements for archaeology students are museums, private environment monitoring companies, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Defence services, historical division of the Ministry of External Affairs, and cultural centres. A few more career profiles for archaeologists are heritage manager, trip organizer in tourism industry, tourist guide, interpreter etc.

The candidates who have completed doctoral degree can appear for SLET or NET exams. This will help them to develop a career in teaching and research. Archeologists have great scope abroad. They can look for jobs as heritage conservators, curators, teacher, or archivists.

Salary Package

The pay scale for archaeologists depends on their qualification, career skill, and experience. A fresher will get a starting salary ranging from Rs. 9000/- to Rs. 15,000 per month. For highly qualified and experienced ones, the salary scale varies between Rs. 25,000/- and Rs. 30,000/- per month. For the candidates working in colleges or universities, the minimum pay scale is Rs.16,000 – Rs. 20,000/.