Career in Archaeology

Historians delve into significant phases of human activity and try to study its influences on life. Social, political, ethnic and cultural events of the past have been relived through narratives, archaeological discoveries, archival documents and historical evidences.

Archaeology is a multi-dimensional subject which includes knowledge of history and anthropology with the detailed discussion of geology, garnished with chemistry and even art. A study of fossils, monuments, manuscripts, coins and excavated remains provides the researcher with material on which to base knowledge of the societies that existed in the ancient past and even exists as a dead and unknown in the soil or mountains. Detailed records need to be maintained in archives which are preserved and catalogued for ready reference and future research.

 Broad Area of work here:

Numismatics: The past is restructured through a study of old coin, medals, seals, tokens, money and other related objects.

Epigraphy: The job involves deciphering inscriptions, edicts, and manuscripts. Inscriptions may appear on copper on copper plates, stones, stupas, statues.

Musicologists: These are concerned with the maintenance of a museum, the purchase and display, labeling of new and rare art collections, methods of preservation, repair of parchment, and micro filming of docs.

Curators: A curator is the custodian of a museum and its financial and administrative matters. He maintains detailed records of each item including as assessment of its value, conservation and treatment.

Personal traits:

Enjoy knowledge & Research

Deep interest in the past

Logical views

Quick reader & analyzer

Keen and good observer

Able to handle physical stress

Study routes:

University of Calcutta, Senate House, West Bengal

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

AwadheshPratap Singh University, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh

University of Allahabad, U. P.

HemwatiNandanBahugunaGarhwal University, Uttaranchal

Career: There are also jobs with the National Archives of India which housesall

historical data at its headquarters in Delhi and regional offices in Bhopal and Jaipur, and the National Museum in New Delhi and the many state museums across the country, as also specialized museums and organizations such as the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Defence Services that run and maintain their own museums, the Films Division where old films need to be preserved, the All India Handicrafts Board and others .

Research and training opportunities are also provided by the Indian Council of Historical Research, and INTACH. The historical division of the Ministry of External Affairs also takes on researchers in the Cultural Affairs Division. There are also several private collectors who provide employment for researchers and restorers.

Salary:

Archaeology students start earning as soon as they qualify the JRF examination and fulfill all the eligibility criteria thereof. A JRF gets an assistance of Rs. 8,000 per month for a period of two years. Remuneration in Archeology field is increased once their position is elevated to that of a Senior Research Fellow (SRF). The pay packet of lecturers is around Rs. 20,000 per month whereas professors earn even higher than this.

After joining the ASI, the basic pay package of an assistant archaeologist is in a range between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 15,000 per month approximately. Archaeologists who have a doctorate degree tend to get better positions in the job hierarchy. The monthly salary of the director general of ASI is in somewhere around Rs. 30,000 per month.