If i want to pursue the degree, can i work abroad too?

Hello Aishwarya,

(Sorry for the wait!)

Yes, you can. Archeologists have ample scope in India and abroad and there is lot of research work involved too. In fact, you can choose any degree and would have lot of oppurtunites abroad.

Archaeology is the scientific and orderly study of human cultures through the recovery, analysis and documentation of material remains and environmental data, like artifacts, seals, inscriptions, monuments, edifices, landscapes and bio-facts.

When one choose to work in this field, they have career options to become a curator, heritage conservator, archivist, numismatist or teacher.

• Numismatists - involves study of currency, i.e. coins, banknotes, or money as an exchange object in some other form like beads, tokens, and related objects.
• Epigraphists - involves study of inscriptions or epigraphs as writing involving identifying graphemes, clarifying their meanings, classifying their uses according to dates and cultural contexts, and drawing conclusions about the writing and the writers.
• Museologist- Museology, or museum studies is the art of studying museums, museum curation, and how museums developed into their institutional role in education in the context of social and political forces.
• Heritage and Environment Management - it is concerned with the identification, protection, and stewardship of cultural heritage in the public interest whereas the environment management is concerned about the protection of natural resources and historic buildings.
• Archivist - accquiring, managing and maintainance of documents and other materials that have historical importance for individuals, organizations and nations.
• Archaeology has a large number of sub- disciplines and specialisations. Historical Archaeology, Ethno archaeology, Experimental archaeology , Archaeometry, Computational Archaeology, Isotope analysis, Geoarchaeology, Bioarchaeology are some of the specialisations. After doing the basics of the Archaeological course, one can specialize in any of these fields.

Generally, archeology involves a lot of research, teaching and field work along with requiring an advanced degree. Hence, it demands few requirements as well.

• Fitness. Archeologist spends a lot of time excavating things and this involves arduously long working hours in the field and constant travelling which can push body and mind to stress.  Bouncing the academics and quest of improving individual knowledge and skills can be very hectic, to say at least.
• Multilingual. A good understanding of different languages is also necessary and sometimes the language can even be dead.
• Scice savvy. Archeology is a healthy mix of history and science so better you know chemistry and maths well.
• Attention to detail and a focused bent of mind
• Interpreting spatial data.
• Social problems: there are plenty of chance encounters with wild animals, dacoits and robbers, local land mafia, disgruntled villagers, and more during excavations.

In India, you'd rarely find a degree on archeology; in order to become an archeologist, one is required to take up BA history in their undergraduation. After that, one needs to move up in the ladder by taking up MA Anthropology, Geology or something related. Also try having a degree in Ancient, Medieval or Modern History or classical languages; these would give you a better scope as an academician/teacher. There are different branches in archaeology like geoarchaeology, forensics, experimental archaeologist, etc which have viable but limited seats but something you can opt when you move ahead in your studies. The candidates who qualify JRF examination can opt for Doctoral degrees in Archaeology.

Few words can describe this studies: Interesting and satisfying but not rewarding in a sense that it will make you rich.

Archeology, in India and even abroad, is not as rewarding as other careers, and tends to grow at a slow pace. Unpopular too, thus makes this option less preferable. However there's always research in this field that never dies.

Career prospects:

• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in its exploration, excavation, epigraphy, pre-history and museum branches (All for which you'd need ASI degree)
• Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)
• UNESCO (abroad)
• UNICEF (abroad)
• Like ICHR and ASI in India, there are plenty of organisations abroad so you have chances there as well.
• Archaeologists can seek jobs in government sectors through examinations conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and also in private environment monitoring companies or in similar organizations.
• 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.

Most of the job openings are in government or government affiliated agencies, therefore the career of an archaeologist is secure. Archaeologists draw all the benefits of a normal government employee as per their experience and official designation; the hard side of it all is that there are limited seats.

Best you start early - To take up a successful profession in archaeology it is not necessary but advisable to start as early as possible.interest towards this occupation can be ignited by frequent visits to museums, cultural centres, historical monuments, and even excavation sites. Gathering information from books and periodicals on topics such as history, art history, and ancient civilizations helps a lot in this regard. Keeping track of developments and new findings in the realm of archaeology is another way of getting a head start for becoming a future archaeologist.

Here are a few institutes providing bachelors in Archaeology:

• Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
• Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
• Barkathullah Vishwa Vidyalaya, Bhopal
• Maharaj Sayajirao University of Baroda

These are a few top institutes providing masters in Archaeology:

• The Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management, New Delhi
• University of Kerala, Thiruvanthapuram
• Bangalore University, Bangalore
• Institute of Archaeology, New Delhi

For more info about colleges : http://www.indiaeducation.net/careercenter/humanities/archaeology/

I hope this helps.