Define / what is Archeology - Archaeology is the scientific study of past cultures and the way people lived based on the things they left behind. Archaeologists study past cultures by examining artifacts, objects made, used, or changed by humans.
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Archeologists study past human cultures by excavating where the cultures lived and studying what is found. Often considered a subdiscipline of anthropology, archeology is best known for studying the ruins of great civilizations and lost cities, but it is entails much more than that.
Culture is the shared ways of life learned by a group of people, including their language, religion, technology, and values.
Details of Archeology
- Each and every ancient civilization had their own history which was not recorded in those days. With the passage of time, evidences have been uncovered now and again through archeological studies.
- Archeology is the main method available for learning about the history of civilizations.
- It can unveil a rich store of information about the beliefs, social structure, economic organization and environmental effects of past societies.
- Archaeology is a multidisciplinary science which draws 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.
- The cultural and social events of the past have been relived through archeological studies. 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.
Role of Archeologist
Archaeologists are concerned with recording, interpreting and conserving the historic environment, using their particular skills to 'read' the landscape. This may involve:
- Field survey, documentary research, excavation, geophysical survey, building analysis, palaeo-environmental sampling, landscape characterization, mapping.
Importance of Archeology
- Archaeology helps us to travel back into time to get valuable information about the human settlements which existed centuries ago.
- It throws light on the cultural history of various countries and answers various questions about the lifestyles of people who lived in that part of the world. It has also helped to ascertain the chronology of the pre-historic times.
- In the Indian sub-continent, archaeological excavations unearthed the Indus Valley Civilization which flourished between 2600 - 1900 BC.
- It's an important aid in reconstructing the prehistoric era, about which not much is known due to absence of written records.
- Archaeology can also contribute to rewriting history.
- Public archaeology, it has played a significant role in spreading awareness about the possible ill-effects that archaeology faces from hazards such as encroaching development, archaeological thefts etc.
Archeology Survey of India –
- Started in 1862 for maintenance conservation and preservation of centrally protected monuments and archaeological sites in the country.
- Archaeology is a multidisciplinary science which draws 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. The cultural and social events of the past have been relived through archeological studies.
- 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
- Those who are involved with the studies of archaeological discoveries are termed as Archaeologists. The main activities of an Archaeologist include preliminary fieldwork, excavation of sites and periodical classification of them as well as dating and interpretation of materials so excavated.
- They probe into the past and define earlier civilizations. Their researches and findings are preserved and maintained for present and future learning. Modern archaeologists have enhanced the accuracy of their work with scientific techniques of carbon dating of artifacts and the use of DNA analysis.
Opportunities for Archeology:
- Scope in India: Archaeology provides the students with numerous career options. While some of them can seek a satisfactory career in museums, archives, universities and numerous research institutes dedicated to unearthing India's glorious past, others can appear for the Union Public Service Examinations conducted every year for the post of archaeologists in the Archaeological Survey Of India.
- Scope Abroad: The various colleges and universities which have mushroomed across the globe are well furnished with research programs that promise everyone who is pursuing a course in archaeology, with flourishing career opportunities as curators, heritage conservators, archivists and teachers.
An offshoot of archaeology is Egyptology, an interesting course offered by the Institute Of Egyptian Art and Archaeology, University of Memphis.
The institute preoccupies itself with the study of Egyptian art and archaeology and provides excellent facilities in field work. So, a student who chooses to specialize in the study of past society and culture can apply abroad as these universities have a number of scholarships on offer to local as well as international students.
 Courses details of Archeology
Archaeology is a rewarding and challenging career opportunity for those who have an analytical bend of mind and a keen desire to know about the past.
It can give awareness about the heritage and tradition of a country or a culture. It is the scientific and systematic study of past and human cultures through the recovery, analysis and documentation of material remains and environmental data, like architecture, artifacts, features, landscapes and biofacts.
It is the field of conservation and protection of architectural relics, old monuments, inscriptions etc. In fact, Archaeology is the science that helps to build up a picture of the past.
Undergraduate
- B.A Archaeology
- B.Sc in Archaeology
- B.A.in Archaeology and Ancient civilization
- B.A. Ancient History
- B.A. History with Archeology and Museology
- B.A. Indian History, Culture and Archaeology (IHC)
- B.A. Museology and Archaeology
- B. A History
Postgraduate
- M.A in Ancient history and Archaeology
- M.Phil Ancient history and Archaeology
- Ph. D Ancient history and Archaeology
- M.A. Ancient History
- M.A. Archaeology
- M.A. Museology
- M.Phil. Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology
- M.Sc. Museology
- Master in Archaeology and Heritage Management
- Master in Conservation, Preservation and Heritage Management
- Ph.D. Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology
- Ph.D. Archaeology
- Ph.D. Museology
- M. Phil History, Culture & Archeology
Diploma
- Post Graduate Diploma in Archaeology
- Post Graduate Diploma in Archival Science and Manuscript logy
- Advance Diploma in Archaeology and Museology
- Post Graduate diploma in Museology, Tourism and Heritage
- Post Graduate Diploma in Museology and Indian Art
- Post Graduate Diploma in Epigraphy
Related Links
Archaeology institutes in India
Archaeology institutes in Abroad
Distance Education colleges in Archeology
View articles
http://asi.nic.in/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeological_Survey_of_India
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