
Archaeology
Degrees offered: B.A., B.A.(Hons), B.Sc., B.Sc.(Hons), BS, Diploma, M.A.
What is Archaeology
Archaeology is the study of the ancient, and the recent past of humans through material remains. Archaeology is often considered a branch of sociocultural anthropology. In simple words, Archaeology is the scientific study of historic or prehistoric people and their cultures by analysing their artefacts, monuments, and other special remains, especially those that are excavated.
The main motive of Archaeology is to study and understand how and why the behaviour of humans has changed over time. They search for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events and also the reason why these events have occurred. Archaeology helps us to understand history through the use of material objects. The course in Archaeology helps you to focus on how to uncover, interpret, and preserve material human history. You get the chance to discover new facts about the human past and also insights into famous objects and stories. The course offers different job opportunities in the field of Archaeologist, Officer, instructor, and many other interesting job opportunities which help you in exploring the field.
Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Archaeology
The eligibility criteria decide the admission of the student to a particular course. If they fit the criteria, then only they are eligible to take admission to the course.
For Undergraduates:
The students who want to take admission to the Bachelor’s course in Archaeology should be 10+2 pass from a recognised board or university.
They should have a minimum aggregate of 50% marks or equivalent to be eligible for the course and should have passed the entrance examination if any taken by the college or university.
For Postgraduates:
The candidates who have completed their Bachelors in Archaeology or any similar field can opt for post-graduation in the course.
The candidates are asked to appear for the entrance examination in some of the colleges or universities while some of the colleges and universities give direct admission to the course.
Popular Specializations
Entrance Exams for Archaeology
Some colleges or universities provide admission on a merit basis. The seats are allotted to the candidates who are deserving and have scored good marks in their academics.
AUCET - Andhra University Common Entrance Test is held to grant admission for postgraduate courses in various Andhra universities. The mode of the examination is offline, and it is conducted once a year.
IPU CET - Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test is held for the candidates to procure admission to the undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the affiliated colleges and institutions.
CUEE - Calcutta University Entrance Exam is the examination that is organised for the undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the University of Calcutta.
Scope of Archaeology in India and Abroad
Archaeology is a field that has many goals right from understanding cultural history to reconstructing past lifeways and then documenting and doing the said changes in human societies with time. The professionals in Archaeology can work in multiple organisations which undertake a broad selection of tasks.
The scope of archaeology in India as well as Abroad is broad and is in high demand because it is important to study ancient history. In India, the Archaeologists work in the Archaeological Survey of India, Defence Services, Council of Cultural Relations, Department of the Ministry of External Affairs, and many other departments in the exploration, excavation, epigraphy, prehistory and museum branches.
Archaeologists help a lot in knowing about the ancient past and about the history that is related to it. Different job roles are offered in the course of Archaeology, which gives students a chance and different scope to pursue a course and career in the field of Archaeology.
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Course Fees Archaeology
Minimum Fees | Maximum Fees | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Private | Government | Private | Government | |
UG | ||||
PG | ||||
DOCTORAL | ||||
DIPLOMA |
Course Subjects
The students who have an interest and wish to gain further knowledge about the field of Archaeology should opt for this course. The students should have a high interest and dedication towards the subjects that are taught in this course. The course and the subjects need the candidate to do a rigorous study to get better at the course for further opportunities. The subjects ensure that they understand the various vistas of Archaeology.
Introduction to Archaeology
Science in Archaeology
Archaeology
Methods in Archaeology
Field Archaeology
History
Iconography
Political History of India
Careers in Archaeology
Archaeology is one of the fields that has a very broad career scope. The candidates have access to diverse job opportunities after they complete their studies. Archaeology is one of the best choices you can make to pursue a career for your future. There are plenty of career opportunities that are available in the field of Archaeology. India is a country that has a rich cultural heritage based on which the need and demand for professionals in the field of Archaeology are high in India.
The students who are qualified in Archaeology can opt for a career in government as well as private sectors. In this profession, the jobs are mostly offered to the ones who have an interest in studying the past. The desired candidates can also find jobs in the Government sector by giving some examinations. They can be hired as tourist guides, heritage managers, interpreters’ resource persons, or trip organisers in tourism.
The professionals in Archaeology indeed have a great scope for jobs as well as research in the various colleges and universities.
Upcoming trends
The trends keep coming with the growth in the use of technology by all of us. The technology helps us to stay updated and know about the recent trends and also the upcoming trends that are related to the course. The trends and the topics in the Archaeology course help us to stay updated and also know about the various trends and topics that are related to the course.
Archaeology is a field that needs a lot of knowledge and awareness about history and the trends related to history so that it helps them to have a thorough understanding of the course. The professionals should be updated about the current ongoing in the field of Archaeology.
The upcoming trends are:
Telling the human stories with the use of technology
Using innovative technologies for the archaeological discoveries
Modern tools to solve a mystery
Job Profiles and Top Recruiters
Job Profiles Offered to Archaeology Professionals
Once you complete a degree in Archaeology, you’re hired in various job positions in your area of interest so that you perform better and help the organisation grow stronger.
Job Profile | Job Description |
Archaeologists study the past and different aspects of the lives of living beings by the way of excavating, dating, and interpreting objects and historical materials. | |
Museum Curator | The Museum Curators are responsible for assembling, cataloging, and managing and also helping to present and display the artistic and cultural collection. They are the ones who are in charge of a collection of exhibits. |
Heritage Manager | A Heritage Manager is the one who manages and conserves the heritage sites and also supervises and looks after the access to the historical sites. |
After pursuing a degree in higher education, they can opt to work as a Lecturer or Professor in any of the colleges and universities to teach the various subjects included in Archaeology. |
Top Recruiters of Archaeology Professionals
The Recruiters are as follows:
Museums
Tourist Departments
Government Departments
State-level Government Departments
ASI
World Heritage Sites
Cultural Organisations
Art Galleries
Also Read: Archaeology Certification Courses
Average Salary
In the Archaeology profession, the average salary that is being paid to the professional starts at Rs. 2 lakhs p.a. (approx.) and keeps on fluctuating depending on the work that is done by them in the organisation.
Job Profile | Average Annual Salary |
Museum curator | Rs. 3 to 6 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Heritage Manager | Rs. 4 to 7 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Archaeologist | Rs. 3 to 8 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Professor | Rs. 5 to 8 Lakhs p.a. (Approx.) |
Required Skillset for Archaeology
Every profession acquires the candidate to have certain sets of skills in the profession where he/she is working to work better in the workplace.
Excellent Research Skills - If you are working in the field of Archaeology, then you must have excellent research skills to research the objects and also the ancient history related to the objects. They must research a way that they get the desired results.
Ability to Work Methodically - This skill helps to expertise in the practical method. It is not an easy skill as it requires a lot of concentration and also needs to do things methodically.
Planning/Project Management Skills - The candidate should be able to also manage the various projects that are carried out by the professionals. They should be able to plan the project accordingly and then work according to it and manage the different tasks related to it.
Good Knowledge and Interest in History - If you’re working as a professional in the field of Archaeology, then it is compulsory that you should have the required knowledge about history and also have the interest to learn about history. They should have a keen interest to know about history as it is one of the most important parts that come under Archaeology.
Photography Skills - You should be able to click photographs when you find out something interesting while you’re roaming around. You should be able to capture the different photographs that help to find the evidence and also study the history related to it.
Course Curriculum for Archaeology
Pursuing a degree in Archaeology is the chance to work at historical sites, which comprises the restoration of monuments and exploring the ancient history of the country. Archaeology is the field that involves the investigation of the materials that are developed by human societies in previous times. The primary objective of the course curriculum is to study human cultures in the past through various mediums. The course curriculum includes interesting subjects that help the candidate in studying even better and do well in their academics for further job opportunities. The subjects are ideal for those who have an interest in studying ancient history.
The course curriculum combines the different elements of archaeology and history to study the subjects.
Popular Archaeology Entrance Exams in India
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: What is the duration if I wish to do a Masters in Archaeology?
Answer :
Once you complete your Bachelor’s in Archaeology, then you can apply for masters in Archaeology. The course duration for Masters in Archaeology is for 2 years as it is a postgraduate course.
Question: Is there any entrance examination for admission to the Archaeology course?
Answer :
Few colleges conduct entrance examinations to grant admission to the candidate while some of the colleges provide admission based on the merit marks that they score. Some of the entrance examinations are AUCET, IPU CET, and Calcutta University Entrance Exam. Some of the colleges conduct interviews as well.
Question: Are there any eligibility criteria to pursue a bachelor’s course in Archaeology?
Answer :
The eligibility criteria are different for every college. The students who want to take admission to the Bachelor’s course in Archaeology should be 10+2 pass from a recognised board or university. They should have a minimum aggregate of 50% marks or equivalent to be eligible for the course and should have passed the entrance examination if any taken by the college or university.
Question: Which are some of the job profiles after completing the course in Archaeology?
Answer :
The course provides huge career opportunities and provides good job profiles such as tourist guides, heritage managers, interpreters’ resource persons, or trip organisers in tourism. They can be hired as Archaeologists, Heritage Manager, and many other job profiles.
Question: Can I do a bachelor’s degree in Archaeology after my 12th?
Answer :
Yes, you can join a course in Archaeology after your 12th. But you should ensure that you match the eligibility criteria that are set up by the various colleges or universities. If you have an interest to learn more about ancient history and the past, then you can opt for this course. Therefore, yes, you can pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology.