The task of Archaeologists is to study architectural relics or monuments
or whatever it may be, to identify the period to which they belong which
may later become historical evidence. They examine the relevance of any
evidence, which may range from ruins of large cities to stone flakes and
thus trace the stages of development of civilizations. They analyze the
data and write reports on their findings.
Artifacts, features and ecofacts are the three basic kinds of archeological
evidence that are useful to the Archaeologists. Artifacts are objects
like pots, beads, copper plates etc. made by people, which can be moved
without altering their appearance. Study of artifacts often requires the
knowledge of other languages like Urdu, Sanskrit and Persian as they may
contain inscriptions. Features consists of houses, tombs, people etc.
which cannot be separated from their surroundings without changing their
form. Ecofacts, the natural objects like seeds, animal bones etc. found
with artifacts or features, disclose how ancient people responded to their
surroundings.
The profession of Archaeology offers interesting job opportunities to
those who have a fascination for the past. Specialists in the field of
Archeology can work as Numismatists and Epigraphists. Numismatics is the
study of old coins, tokens and other related objects while Epigraphy is
the study of inscriptions on ancient monuments, rocks, temples, copper
plates etc.
In India, students who pass out from the Institute of Archaeology, the
academic wing of the Archeological Survey of India, have brighter prospects
because they are readily absorbed by the Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI). Archaeologists can seek jobs in government sectors through
examinations conducted by Union Public Service Commission or Staff Selection
Commission and also in private environment monitoring companies or in
similar organizations. They are employed in Defense services, museums,
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, cultural centers and historical
division of the Ministry of External Affairs. A degree holder in Archaeology
can work as tourist guides, heritage managers, interpreters, resource
persons of trip organizers in the tourism industry. After obtaining Doctoral
degree or successfully clearing SLET (State Level Eligibility Test ) or
NET (National Eligibility Test) one can take up teaching and research
work. Archaeologists can even seek employment in other disciplines as
historians, linguists and surveyors.
Archaeology graduates have great scope abroad for jobs as well as research
as various colleges and universities are well furnished with research
programmes. Here one can work as curators, heritage conservators, archivists
or even as teachers.
