Go back in time with archaeology
I am a Class 11 student and interested in studying archaeology. What is the scope of pursuing higher studies in the subject?
– Radhika Verma Archaeology is the anthropological study of past human culture. An archaeologist studies past human activities and behaviours primarily through observation of materials, features, and structures left behind by the past society. As an archaeologist, you would have to study fossils, monuments, manuscripts, coins and excavated remains for material on which to base knowledge of the societies that existed in the ancient past.
You then have to maintain detailed records of all archeological material which are preserved and catalogued for ready reference and for educating a wide variety of people from historians to school children, and in conservation and publicity.
Archaeology is just one of the many career options you have after a study of humanities subject. As you are in Class 11, I suggest you explore all the avenues of work, and then decide whether you wish to take up archaeology directly after school, or after BA in history, or sociology.
You can do a three-year BA in archaeology, for which you are required to have history as a subject in Class 12. You can also take up a post graduate degree/diploma course in archaeology after graduation in any discipline, although graduates in social sciences like sociology, history, anthropology are preferred.
There are several universities offering BA, MA and PG diploma courses in archaeology including Punjab University, MS University, Baroda, BHU and several others. One can also pursue a two-year PG diploma from the Archaeological Survey of India. The duration of the course is two years. Candidates having master’s degree in ancient or medieval Indian history/archaeology/ anthropology/Indian Classical Languages such as Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, Arabic or Persian from a recognised university or equivalent with the minimum aggregate of 55% marks are eligible to apply for the course.
The Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management affiliated to GGS Indraprastha University also offers master’s in archeology and heritage management and conservation, preservation and heritage management.
Today, archaeological sites are a major attraction for tourists. With tourism becoming the second largest foreign exchange earner in our country, the major part of the responsibilities for preserving these sites lies with ASI. Hence the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the major recruiter for archaeologists in the country for which you need to qualify through the UPSC or State PSC exams.
There are also jobs with universities and research institutes including the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), and with both government and private sector museums for the safe upkeep and management of museum artefacts, as also in teaching and academics.
However, before you jump into this career you must discover your abilities and interests in greater depth. To succeed in this field, one should have an interest in reading history and acquiring knowledge about the past. You also require an analytical and focused mind as well.