Unearthing the secrets of the past

A multidisciplinary subject, archaeology today offers enhanced career prospects. Specialists and trained professionals can look for a highly satisfying career in this field

AN archeologist is the best husband any woman can have; the older she gets, the more interested he is in her! Agatha Christie IF the words Aztec, Mayan, MachuPichu, Quintana Roo and Chinchen Itza make your eyes sparkle with excitement and curiosity and tickle your grey cells, then perhaps you should consider a career in the field of archeology. The past holds surreptitious clues that can determine the present, even hint at the future and to relentlessly pursue these hidden mysteries, you have to be one-of-a-kind professional.

Grave diggers!

One has to be obsessively committed to dig, shovel, and chip and brush away years of dirt, dust, grime and erosion to put together the jigsaw puzzle of our past. Not to mention, while doing this, you have to survive extremities of weather, scarcity of basic necessities and work far from home for extended periods of time.

The work is not just confined to the outdoors; the exact reconstruction of the samples, attention to the minutest of details while keeping in mind the big picture, is also a major part of the work profile.

Corner Stone

Entry into the field requires a background in ancient history and culture and a specialisation in archeology will create tremendous opportunities to excel. Various universities offer graduate and post-graduate courses in the field. An MA/MS degree without a detailed thesis work is sufficient to direct a field crew, get government positions in the archeology department, work in the private sector, teach in community college and also get employed in museums.

In order to be certified by the Register of Professional Archeologists, which is an international certification body that issues membership to competent professionals in the field, one must be an MA or MS degree holder, having completed original thesis work, with a year of field and laboratory experience thrown in. For the academically inclined a Ph.D. is essential to teach at college or university level or to hold a museum curator's designation. Most foreign governments will issue excavation permits only to archeologists who hold a doctorate degree. Some graduate programs offer streamlined tracts for students with a B.A. in archeology, so that they can directly work towards a Ph.D. while others require a post-graduate degree.

The Archeological Survey of India also offers a two-year post- graduate diploma in archeology with extensive hands-on experience.

Work Site

Professional archeologists work for universities, colleges, museums, the federal and state governments, private companies and as consultants. They teach, conduct field investigations, analyse artifacts and sites and publish the results of their research.

Many students of archeology try to get the maximum amount of work experience by working on many digs, excavations and try their hand in various fields like:Artifact Illustrator - who prepares detailed pen, ink and computer images of the artifacts that are found, Faunal Specialist - is one who analyses animal bone and other biological objects discovered at the archeological site. They identify the specie and the possible cause of its death, Field Technician - conducts simple surveys and excavations, prepares maps under the supervision of a principal investigator, Floral Specialist - analyses plant remains collected from the site and determines the species, GPS Technician - utilises software to produce maps and digitize data from geographic information services.

After gaining a foothold in the field one can establish himself as an Archivist, Anthropologist, Art conservator, Biographer, Ethnologist, Genealogist, Paleontologist, Social science analyst or a Curator.

Employment opportunities are provided by museums and educational and research institutes. Institutes such as, The Indian Council of Historical Research, the National Archives of India, INTACH and others provide research and training opportunities.

One of the major employers in this field is the Archeological Survey of India. Selection to jobs with ASI or other government departments is generally made by UPSC and the State Public Service Commissions.

Main activities of ASI

*Maintenance, conservation and preservation of centrally protected monuments and sites.

*Conducting archeological explorations and excavations.

*Preservation of monuments and antiquarian remains through various chemical processes.

*Conducting architectural survey of monuments.

*Developing epigraphical research.

*Setting up of and re-organisation of site museums

*Providing training in the field of archeology.

The hierarchy of the archeologists within the ASI is as follows: A professional starts out as an assistant archeologist, going on to become assistant superintendent archeologist, deputy superintendent and superintendenting archeologist. At this stage one goes on to supervise specific projects undertaken at various sites. At the top the posts are: director, joint director, additional director general and director general.

Success is guaranteed in the field of archeology only if one is completely committed, possesses a fanatical love for the field and is not preoccupied with counting pennies at the end of the month.

MALINI SURYANARAYANAN

malusn@hotmail.com