Want to know How to become Archaeologist in India? Well you have landed on the right article
Archaeology is the study of human history and civilization by examining artifacts and prehistoric tools. It is a study of the human past and the present by studying the material that remains left back in nature.
Moreover, its experts are called Archaeologists. Furthermore, when most people think of archaeologists, they imagine someone digging through prehistoric rocks or canvassing the dust off some old fossil.
While that is a part of being an archaeologist, the job of an archaeologist is not restricted to just that.
The research is carried out using data, artifacts, and biofacts found in the surroundings. It is also the study of old dishes, utensils, bones, and clothing. These leftovers are gathered, analyzed, and studied to gather interesting data for research.
Archaeologists have been responsible for some of the most significant discoveries in the history of mankind, and a profession in this subject allows you to be a part of such findings. They excavate and retrieve artifacts such as ruins of buildings, pottery, cave art, and tools. Moreover, elucidate the evolution of living creatures through their studies.
Archaeology is divided into several fields, including the study of lithics (stone tools), ancient plants (paleoethnobotany), animals (zooarchaeology), human remains (bioarchaeology), fossil sciences, and others. These branches demonstrate that archaeology is much more than just digging in the ground with tools.
This post will look at what an archaeologist does and How to become an Archaeologist in India . We'll also look at the steps of becoming an archaeologist, their salaries, and where they work.
How To Become Archaeologist in India
Why one should become an Archaeologist
Confused about your decision to choose Career in Archaeology?
Here are some compelling reasons why you should study this fascinating subject. In addition, these reasons can also help you determine if this is the appropriate degree for you.
1. Discover the mysteries of human history
The study of physical remains contributes significantly to our understanding of how human society evolved. Archaeologists play an important part in historical exploration, and an Archaeology degree will teach you how.
2. Develop transferable skills
The abilities you'll gain while studying Archaeology can be used in various careers. You'll learn analytical abilities, reasoning ability, practical skills, how to work in or manage a team, and much more.
If you pursue archaeology, the world may be your oyster.
3. Put your Archaeology knowledge to use
Archaeology is a far more hands-on study than, say, history. Universities mandate a specific number of days on the field, so you'll have lots of chances to get outside and put your knowledge to use.
4. Travel around the world
Human history is not bound to a single location, nor is archaeological research. Archaeologists are skilled travelers, with day journeys to historical sites in India, Africa, and the UK to week-long excursions to Rome.
5. Spend a year overseas
Archaeology may be ideal for you if you want to pursue a higher education that includes hours spent living in another nation and culture. Several Archaeology degree programs include a year of study abroad or in other states.
6. Merge courses
Archaeology enriches various other fields of study, and vice versa; dual honours degrees are popular. Archaeology combined with Classics and Ancient History or Anthropology is two examples of complementing dual honours programs.
Eligibility, Education, and Qualifications for becoming an Archaeologist
To become an archaeologist, you must first meet certain requirements, after which you will be considered. The eligibility requirements are mentioned below.
- Age Limit
The applicant must be of at least 17 years to begin learning the Archaeologist curriculum and continue pursuing the same to gain the knowledge and experience.
- Qualification for archaeologist in India
Numerous courses in archaeology are available for students interested in basic courses such as Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and Museology or MA in Archaeology.
The following are the fundamental requirements for taking an archaeological course in India just after 12th grade:
- A prospective applicant must complete the 10+2 examination from a recognized education board to take a diploma course.
- To undertake an undergrad degree in archaeology, a candidate must have completed 12th grade with an average of 55 percent in fields such as Geography, History, Anthropology, Geology, Art, and Literature. The cut-off, meanwhile, varies by institution. Applicants who did not choose humanities but desire to pursue archaeology can easily switch to arts for their undergraduate program.
- The postgraduate course, which lasts two to three years, requires candidates to have finished their undergraduate studies in the relevant subjects.
Skills required for Archaeologist
To become an archaeologist, one must thoroughly understand history and topography. Archaeologists examine the things people left behind a long time ago, such as their houses, clothes, equipment, bones, dishes, etc.
Excavators collect various proofs of human history from various locations and study and analyze the results.
Some of the skills required by an archaeologist are:
Excellent research abilities
Communication and writing abilities
A keen sense of detail
He or she must be diligent and prompt at work.
To manage the fieldwork, he or she must have a strong vision, inquisitive nature, good observation, and analytical/logical thinking.
He or she must be dedicated to the job and maintain commitment and loyalty in the workplace.
As an archaeologist, you must be able to work with and collaborate with a team.
He or she must be familiar with the devices or equipment utilized in the craving and development of the sites.
Different Exams and their preparations
Admission to the BA Archaeology program is primarily based on merit. However, many top institutions hold admissions exams regularly. The state entrance exams that incorporate personal interviews are IPU CET, BHU PET, and AUCET.
Calcutta University Entrance Exam
AUCET – Andhra University Common Entrance Test
BHU PET– Banaras Hindu University Post Graduate Entrance Test
IPU CET- Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test
However, if you seek admission to an MA program, institutions will conduct personal interviews, and your thesis and research work from your BA degree will be an added plus.
Some other popular entrance exams are as follows:
For Graduation:
Bangalore University (BU) Entrance Exam
University of Mysore Entrance Exam
University of Madras Entrance Test
Shivaji University Entrance Test
For Post Graduation:
Chandigarh University Entrance Test
Jain University (JU) Entrance Test
Kerala University (KU) Entrance Examination
University of Mysore Entrance Exam
The Archaeology entrance exam is designed to cover basic facts that students must be knowledgeable about to get admission to this specialized profession.
To do well in the examination, go through basic logical reasoning and aptitude skills.
Read about the important aspects and events in India's ancient history.
Prepare according to the prior archaeology and ancient history syllabus, as most questions will be related to this topic.
Candidates must go online and take a mock test series to obtain greater confidence and practice.
Different Universities that provide the best facilities and knowledge for the course
Choosing the appropriate college is critical because being an archaeologist requires extensive field experience. When applying to colleges, consider where the on-field experience is the greatest and how well the college provides work experience through internships.
A bachelor's or master's degree is required to work as an archaeologist. So, let us see some of the finest institutions and universities that offer this course.
Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
Barkatullah Vishwa Vidyalaya, Bhopal
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
Archaeologist Colleges in India For Post Graduation
Students can go for a Master's in Archaeologist from either of the mentioned colleges:
The Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management, New Delhi
Bangalore University, Bangalore
University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram
Institute of Archaeology, New Delhi
The above-mentioned colleges provide a wide range of courses in various subjects.
Note: This is not a comprehensive list of colleges. There are many more colleges in India that provide various courses in archaeology.
These colleges provide quality facilities to their students, including a library, labs, and a meeting room/hall. They also have modern science and research laboratories with sophisticated instruments, an agri-science park, computer labs, big dorms, a gym, a botanical garden, and a large playground.
Salary of an Archaeologist
Archaeologists are in high demand these days because there are fewer available. This need has resulted in extremely competitive compensation packages for archaeologists. Here are some points if you want to about Archaeologist salary in India :
An archaeologist's income can range from INR 2.5 Lakhs to INR 8 Lakhs, depending on their experience, talents, and qualifications. In addition, there are several levels of employment in this industry.
An Archaeologists in India who are at the beginning of their career may expect to earn between INR 2.5 Lakhs and INR 3.5 Lakhs per year. Experts and qualified professionals can earn up to INR 8 Lakhs each year.
The wage package is defined by the candidate's educational qualification, talents, working location, experience, and various other factors. Students with a higher degree of education might expect a greater wage package.
Pros & Cons
No career is perfect; every profession has its advantages and downfalls; here are some of the pros and cons of being an archaeologist.
Pros
A student archaeologist can work almost anywhere around the globe. Depending on their topic of study, they may be able to travel to some of the world's most distant communities and even to some of the world's most ideal nations.
The possibility of travel piques many people's curiosity, and an archaeologist often has plenty of free time after digging to explore these new sites.
Many archaeologists are motivated by the hope of discovering new information and unfolding the human histories that connect us to our ancestors. They're all looking for something special, something unique, or something that has gone missing from history.
Cons
The disadvantage of this exciting lifestyle is that the work is difficult.
Digging, excavating, assessing, and measuring sites necessitate hard effort and long days and are frequently located in harsh climates.
The task is difficult, and you are frequently working against the clock to explore an area before the freshly revealed artifacts deteriorate due to exposure to the environment. Several archaeologists fly directly home after working out on the fields to get some needed rest and relaxation.
Archaeologists spend months in the lab studying their artifacts after the dig is finished. Much of this labor is done in solitude and is quite extensive.
Even if you discover something entirely new or arrive at a fresh conclusion to an already recognized theory, you must give more than sufficient evidence to support your findings. Archaeology is a social science, and your work will be reviewed by many researchers in your discipline and others.
Your work must be practically flawless; if there is a defect in your analysis, it will be found.
These are just some of the pros and cons. People who work hard, push themselves, and take time to research, invest and analyze are the true driving force in the field of archaeology.
Conclusion
India is home to one of the most well-planned historical sites in history and old monuments left by major dynasties such as the Mughals, the Mauryas, and others. Skilled archaeologists are in high demand in various business and public institutions.
An archaeological degree holder can also serve as a tourist guide, heritage manager, etc. In addition, ASI employs many skilled archaeologists, epigraphists, conservators, and researchers.
To summarize, this is How to Become Archaeologist in India. Archaeology has a great future, and strong foundations are required to build that future.
I hope this guide will lead you in the right direction if you want to become an archaeologist. We did our best to provide all of the important aspects of being an archaeologist, such as eligibility, qualification, salary, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I pursue Archaeology after the 12th?
Here's how to become an archaeologist in India after 12th:
After completing the 12th standard, students can pursue a Bachelor in Archaeology, Ancient History, Cultural Heritage, or a related degree in history. However, if a student wishes to become a Marine Archaeologist, they must first have a degree in Engineering.
Q2. Is there any exam to become an archaeologist?
Most admissions to the BA Archaeology or diploma programs are based on merit. However, some prominent colleges hold entrance exams for admittance to bachelor's degree programs. AUCET, BHU PET, and IPU CET are among the state entrance tests accompanied by personal interviews.
Q3. How much do archaeologists make in India?
Compensation estimates are based on salary survey data from businesses and anonymous workers in India. The average income for an entry-level archaeologist (1-3 years of experience) is Rs. 5,73,861. A senior-level archaeologist (8+ years of experience) makes an average income of Rs.9,96,878.