Career in Archaeology (History)

Looking for a Career Option in the Field of History ? This section features History as a career option, elaborated with reference to the job profile, personality traits required, the courses and training involved, premier institutions and future prospects.

For centuries, historians have delved into significant phases of human activity and tried 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 which have surfaced time and again through historical researches.

Knowledge and interest of the past leads to careers in history, archaeology and archives. Archaeology is an interdisciplinary subject which draws help from anthropology, chemistry, geology and art .


Personality Traits


Archaeologists, archivists and curators have one thing in common. They all enjoy knowledge for its own sake and have deep interest in the past. Logical thinking, art appreciation, creativity, accuracy and keen observation are valuable qualities.

Archaeologists work outdoors, hence should be able to take physical stress to work in conditions which may not be very comfortable


Courses/Training


After Class XII (any subject, humanities preferred), graduation in Ancient, Medieval and Modern Indian History

Graduation in history, followed by post graduation in archaeology, students of classical languages like Persian, Sanskrit or Pali scripts or of Islamic history are trained and employed with Archaeological departments

Postgraduates in history (ancient, modern or medieval), followed by diploma in archival study are recruited through tests conducted by the UPSC for jobs in the National Archives. The National Archives at Delhi houses all historical data, which has relevance to Indian culture and its past. The regional offices are at Bhopal and Jaipur.



Placements And Prospects


The Archaeological Survey of India with its headquarters in Delhi has archaeological departments in all the states of India. It has specialised branches dealing with temples, epigraphs etc.

Opportunities for employment are offered by the Historical Division of the Ministry of External Affairs for handling jobs in their Cultural Affairs Division. These are research positions for Second Class postgraduates in History/Pol. Science/Modern History with knowledge of foreign language. Students with some study in the area of International Relations get preference.

Besides employment opportunities offered by the Historical Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, the following also provide employment opportunities

1. Central Board of Film Censors, Film Division of Government of India
2. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
3. Defense Services
4. All India Handicrafts Board
5. Ministry of Education
6. Department of Tourism

Prospects in these lines are good for the well-qualified but expect copetition as there are not too many new positions coming up that often.