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Archaeology

Career in Archaeology

Archaeology is the study of human activity in the past primarily through the recovery, analysis and documentation of material remains and environmental data, like architecture, artifacts, features, landscapes and biofacts.

Key to Success

To be successful in archaeology you should have/ develop:

Perceptive and probing mind
Keen observation
Analytical and logical thinking
Patience
Intellectual ability
Artistic ability

Scope and Opportunities

Students having a post graduate degree in archaeology are eligible for lectureship in various universities across the country. They have to undergo with the entrance test like National Eligibility Test (NET) or the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)-Lectureship examination conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Archaeologists can be employed in government or own private museum for the safe upkeep and management of museum artifacts.
As archaeologist has more possibility of career in government or its run agencies, their career is secure. They get all the benefits and privileges of a normal government employee based on their experience and designation.

Lifestyle & Social Status

Though rare, but it is an ideal profession for people who want to make a career in unraveling mysteries of the past.
A famous discovery drastically upraises the status and reputation of an archaeologist to iconic proportions.
Intense long working hours in the field and constant travelling enhance and diversify their cultural knowledge.
Constant changing weather and tough and hazardous working conditions are a complicated challenge to professionals engaged in field work.
Well known Personalities in Archaeology -

D.K. Chakrabarti, Swraj Prakash Gupta, George Menachery

Career Path

Job Profile

This profile demands a physical presence at the site of excavation under all kinds of weather conditions.
One has to attend camp for the sake of the site and has to stay there for months at a time while working on the project like carefully uncover the artifacts, clean them, preserve and study them.
Enough knowledge about the historical conditions, the geographical conditions of the area both in the past and at present, a bit of chemistry for safely uncovering and preserving the artifacts and anthropological matter.
Also knowledge of other languages, culture of ancient period with some knowledge of its dead languages and artistic forms.

What are the key skills required for Archaeology

kills

Knowledge of Geology, Soil Science, Botany, Zoology, History
Research temperament
Manual dexterity to handle delicate and valuable objects

Work Value

Teamwork
Combination of outdoor activity with blend of more academic study

What are the career opportunities in Archaeology

Current Job Scenario

At an early stage the remuneration is around Rs 8,000 as a Junior Research Fellow.
The remuneration for lectures varies between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000. Readers and Professors are paid even better.
Archaeologists are paid with good remuneration equal to that of civil servants within the Archaeological Survey of India and the state Archaeology departments.

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