Discover Early Civilisations

by PRATIMA ACHREKAR
Posted on 2008-09-29
Archaeology is a profession for those who have an acute interest and training in culture and history. Archaeologist, learn new techniques of excavation and practice using GPS tools and digging, drawing and photography. If you possess these skills then you must definitely join this line. Don’t miss the opportunity!
The essential qualities needed for an archaeologist is a precise and searching mind, keen observation skills and analytical and logical thinking abilities.
Those involved in the study of archaeological discoveries are termed as archaeologists. They probe into the past and define earlier civilisations. Their researches and findings are preserved and maintained for present and future learning.
Recent archaeologists have enhanced the accuracy of their work with scientific techniques of carbon dating. Archaeology is a multidisciplinary science, which requires help from geography, history, anthropology, chemistry, geology, art and literature. It is also regarded as one of the four branches of anthropology, which is the study of the physical and social characteristics of humanity.
Sharing more about the field of archaeology, Mr N Taher, an archaeologist from the Archaeological Survey of India said, “Heritage is become very significant and it is important to protect and conserve our heritage. There are various research and training courses, which may be undertaken.”
Archaeological studies or inputs are considered important in issues such as environmental conservation, urban societies, town planning etc. These discoveries involve a variety of field techniques and laboratory procedures.
The job of archaeologists is to study architectural leftovers or monuments or whatever it may be, to identify the period to which they belong which may later become historical evidence.
Archeologists examine the importance of any evidence, which may range from ruins of large cities to stone flakes and thus trace the stages of development of civilisations. They analyse 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 consist of houses, tombs, people etc that 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.
There are several ways to follow a career in archaeology in addition to teaching classes at a university. Other options can be found working at a cultural resource management firm, historical society or government agency; and then there are a whole slew of specialists who work in archaeology.
The posts offered in different agencies are archaeobotonist, college professor, computer specialist in archaeology, cultural resource lawyer, editor, field supervisor, field technician, geoarchaeologist, GIS specialist, graphics, artist, historian, laboratory supervisor, librarian, manager, cultural resource firm, principal investigator, public archaeologist, zoologist, etc.
To become an archaeologist it is preferable for candidates to have a background of ancient history and culture. The basic eligibility criteria for bachelor’s course in history/ archaeology (BA level) of three-years duration is 10+2 or equivalent.
“Basic qualifications are masters in medieval history, ancient history, MA in archaeology, MA in anthropology,” says Mr Taher
After graduation one can opt for a postgraduate diploma or degree course in archaeology. Graduates in history in any stream with an aggregate of 55 per cent marks can apply for diploma, postgraduate diploma or post graduation (MA/ M Sc) in different fields of archaeology. Duration of these courses may differ from one to two years.
Admission to the two-year postgraduate diploma course at the Institute of Archaeology, the academic wing of the Archeological Survey of India in New Delhi is on the basis of a written exam and an interview.
At a higher level, those interested in conducting research on the various branches of archaeology can do PhD. But before applying for research fellowship, they must have completed their post graduation.
Some of the subjects covered in archaeology are numismatics, epigraphy, archives and museology are the important branches of archaeology. Rather then these, there are subjects like applied sciences, theory and methods in archaeology, protohistory, art, museology, chemical preservation, antiquarian laws etc.
The course will also consist of a detailed study of illustrated manuscripts, fossils, inscriptions and coins. 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 any archaeological course, one can specialise in any of these fields.
While discussing about the posts Mr Taher said, “There are state and central government as well as some NGO agencies that provide the jobs for archaeologist. The posts given under these agencies and subsequently they are opting for senior post that is UPSC (Union Public Commission) and Juniors SSC (Self Service Commission) and post include draftsman, photographer and surveyor and conservation engineer.”