MA Archaeology Course, Eligibility, Syllabus, Jobs, Admission in India 2023

Master of Arts (MA) in Archaeology is a two year post graduation course/degree conducted by various colleges in India. This particular course allows its students to explore the depths of the ancient culture of Indian subcontinent as well as other important cultures and traditions of the world.

Archaeology in recent times have emerged as a strong discipline and a reputed course to pursue due to the recent revolution of heritage management and the need to protect ancient tangible and intangible assets of our country, MA archaeology is a very specific course highlighting the need to balance and learn the sequence of India's rich past culture as well as also allows its students the practical know how of various excavation techniques and learning the methods and ways to unearth the ancient Archaeological remains to construct the correct sequence of past events by corroborating the events and their authenticity as well.

MA Archaeology requires a duration of two years; candidates aspiring to pursue this course are required to have a bachelor's degree with Ancient Indian history/Archaeology as one of their major subjects. The annual fee charged for this course ranges around INR 9,000 - 12,000.

MA in Archaeology candidates after successful completion of their degree can work as archaeologist with the prestigious Archaeological survey of India, or as conservationists and curators with famous museums of India and abroad, as well as heritage management workers and teachers, the annual income offered by such designation ranges around INR 1,00,000 - 3,00,000.

MA Colleges in MADHYA PRADESH	MA Colleges in ORISSA	MA Colleges in UTTAR PRADESH	MA Colleges in UTTARAKHAND

Table of Contents

MA Archaeology Course Highlights
MA Archaeology: What is it About?
Why Study?
Admission Process
4.1 Eligibility Criteria
4.2 Top Entrance Exams
4.3 How to Prepare for Entrance Exam
4.4 How to Get Admission in Top College
Syllabus
Top Colleges in India
Courses Comparison
Jobs and Career Options
Future Scope
FAQs

MA Archaeology Course Highlights

Course level	Post-graduation
Full form	Master of Arts in Archaeology
Duration	Two year
Examination type	Offline and semester wise
Eligibility	Graduation in the relevant field + in some colleges merit based
Admission process	Qualifying CET/PET/ Interview
Course fee	INR 2,000 - 40,000
Average salary	INR 1,00,000 - 6,00,000
Top recruiting agencies	Archaeological survey of India, museums, heritage management, teaching colleges
Job positions	Archaeologists, conservationists, curators, teachers and research associates

MA Archaeology: What is it About?

Masters in Archaeology is a two year degree course conducted by various colleges in India to provide insight and learning into the rich ancient past of India and the need to preserve the current scenario of tangible and intangible heritage of our country.

Archaeology also includes learning the techniques and meticulous methodologies of conducting active excavations and research in this field and quest to unearth the ancient past of India and of the world to provide a sequence and chronology to significant events that happened in the past and to provide information for the same.
Candidates who wish to pursue this course will be made aware of various excavation techniques and methods that will enable them to take on individual projects related to excavation of a specific area or place and unearth the history of that particular place and develop a report corroborated by facts and authentic figures.
Archaeology has an extensive curriculum with a combination of theory and practical field work and requires dedication and precision in work routine.
MA Archaeology is a specialized discipline and offers knowledge on a vast scale. Aspirants who wish to pursue this degree as a professional course will be introduced to various different cultures of India and the world and the factors that connected those ancient civilizations.
Candidates interested in pursuing this degree will also be taught the various techniques of finding potential spots and places that will yield archaeological remains and techniques of excavations in order to unearth and understand the cultures and civilizations that existed and thrived in the past.
Candidates who successfully are able to complete this course are employed by various prestigious institutions such as Archaeological survey of India and museums such as National Museum Delhi etc. and work on behalf of these institutions by conducting individual excavation projects and programs.

Why Study MA Archaeology?

Master of Arts in Archaeology is an extensive course with special emphasis that includes field work and analysis. This degree is highly recommended to individuals who are dedicated and patient enough to conduct research and excavation for longer durations and are fascinated by the ancient knowledge of our past.

This course enables students to get in depth knowledge about India's glorious past and events that shaped the future.
Candidates interested in pursuing this degree can also be made aware of the extended disciplines of Archaeology such as conservation, preservation of heritage and artifacts as well as museum management
Candidates are also responsible for conducting their own individual research and excavation after getting prior permission from the authorities to construct a chronological sequence of past events.
Candidates are also taught various techniques and methods of research, excavation, recording and analysis of data and different sites.
Candidates after successful completion can be hired by various institutions as teachers and lecturers to impart knowledge to other budding archaeology enthusiasts
Candidates can also seek employment under government undertakings such as Archaeological survey of India and monument and heritage management institutes to work independently as archaeologists and heritage management workers
This degree is also essential in seeking a job in the area of museums; individuals can work as museum curators and museum managers and can earn a handsome salary.
Individuals can also work in the field of research and analysis and collaborate with leading Archaeological institutions to conduct research upon their own choice of topic/subject.

What is the MA Archaeology Admission Process?

Admission in MA Archaeology is done mainly through the entrance exam.

Candidates are requested to keep checking their respective college's website for any news related to admission.
Once the notification is live, candidates are requested to fill the form by uploading relevant documents and paying the admission form fee via Net Banking and debit/credit card
Candidates are then required to download their admit cards and give the entrance test.
Candidates who are qualified via entrance test are then required to complete additional formalities related to admission in their college.
Certain colleges also offer direct admission on the basis of merit.

What is Eligibility Criteria for MA Archaeology?

Candidate need to fit the eligibility criteria in order to apply for MA Archaeology:

A bachelor degree in the relevant field of archeology/ancient history/history or its related field from a recognized university.
Minimum of 55% in their qualifying examinations.
Certain colleges require their students to clear CET followed by an interview to get admission which needs to be qualified by the candidates

MA Colleges In Maharashtra	MA Colleges In West Bengal	MA Colleges in Kerala

What are the top MA Archaeology Entrance Exams?

Certain reputed colleges conduct a series of entrance tests for the students to get admission; the exam pattern comprises multiple choice questions ranging from 100-150. Questions are related to ancient Indian history and archaeology as well as general knowledge, aptitude and basic reasoning skills.

BHU-PET: This particular exam is conducted by Banaras Hindu University and consists of multiple choice questions related to the field of ancient Indian history, culture and Archaeology.

Some important dates for Common Entrance Test (CET) at university level to apply for MA Archaeology:

Exam Name	Registration	Exam Date
Deccan college CET	June - July,	August,
BHU PET	Jan 30,	August 24 - 31,
University of Lucknow CET	July,	August,

How to Prepare for MA Archaeology Entrance Exams?

The entrance test for MA Archaeology course is designed to include basic information that the candidates should be aware of in order to get admission in this specialized field.

Go through the basic reasoning and aptitude skills to score well in the exam
Read the key elements and events of India's ancient past
Prepare according to the previous syllabus of archaeology and ancient history as majority of questions are related to this field
Candidates are required to go online and conduct mock test series to gain more ease and practice.

How to get Admission in top MA Archaeology colleges?

To secure admission in the top MA Archaeology college in India

It is important to have an exceptional academic record.
Achieve a higher score in entrance exams to increase your chances in getting into the top college.
Work on your communication skills as you might have to appear for GD/PI rounds.
Stay updated on the important dates and announcements regarding the admission procedure.

Central University Orissa Admissions	MAHE Admissions

MA Archaeology Syllabus

Master of Arts in Archeology is a postgraduate degree program that requires a total two years for completion. This course allows candidates to obtain a sound grounding in understanding the various vistas of archaeology.

Semester 1	Semester 2
Political history of ancient India 319 AD	Ancient Indian administration and polity
Political history of ancient India (319-1200 AD )	Science and technology in ancient India
Ancient Indian society	Ancient Indian economy
History and culture of India	Early historic archaeology
Ancient world	Major Archaeological sites of India
Semester three	Semester four
Historiography	Concept and methods of tools in Ancient India
Ancient Indian epigraphy	Principles and methods of archaeology
Ancient Indian numismatics	Study of Ancient pottery
Elements of Archaeological studies	Elements of field Archaeology
Elements of ancient Indian art	Elements of ancient Indian architecture
Electives	Electives
Prehistory of India	Environmental Archaeology
Protohistory of India	Maritime Archaeology
Museology	South Asian prehistory
Heritage management	Biological Anthropology

MA Archaeology Important Books

Here is a list of recommended books for the course program:

Name of the book	Author's name
Age of imperial unity	RC Majumdar
Social Hindu organization	P H Prabhu
History of Early India to the 1200 AD	Romila Thapar
Prehistory of India	D K Bhattacharya
Coins of ancient India	Alexander Cunningham
Ancient architecture of India/ elements of iconography	TA Gopinath Rao

MA Archaeology Top Colleges

Here is the list of top colleges in India offering MA Archaeology:

Name of the college	Location	Average Fees
Deccan college post graduate and research institute Pune	Pune	INR 6200
University of Calcutta, Kolkata	Kolkata	INR 2314
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi	Varanasi	Rs 4620
Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University, Udaipur	Udaipur	Rs 13,350
Shivaji University, Kolhapur	Kolhapur	-
University of Lucknow, Lucknow	Lucknow	Rs 9,000
St Xaviers College,Mumbai	Mumbai	INR 35,000

MA Archaeology Job Profiles

Top recruitment agencies are on boarding graduates of MA Archaeology are Archaeological survey of India, National museum Delhi, State museums of India, Heritage management institutions such as Aga Khan trust, etc. Following Job Profiles are offered:

Job Profile	Job description	Average Salary
Archaeologists	Archaeologists are individuals who work in the field and dedicate their time and efforts into excavating various sites and places to procure artifacts to develop, set a chronological order of past events and to develop information on past civilizations and cultures	INR 3,00,000 - 5,00,000
Museum curators	Museum curators are responsible of taking care of artifacts, and safekeeping of all assets and resources procured after excavation, and informing, cataloguing and taking care of the display of artifacts to impart knowledge to others for the same, additional responsibilities may include researching and teaching to others, making them aware of their heritage.	INR 3,00,000 - 4,00,000
Professors/lecturers	Individuals can work as teachers in the leading universities and institutions to impart knowledge of Archaeology and ancient Indian history to other budding scholars and enthusiasts	INR 3,00,000 - 4,00,000
Conservationists	Individuals working as conservationists are required to perform lab experiments on artifacts in order to preserve them for longer duration and to keep their authenticity intact, they work on artifacts to prevent them from decaying further and to maintain their longevity without compromising the essence of the artifact.	INR 2,00,000 - 3,00,000
Heritage managers	Heritage managers are people who work for the safekeeping of monuments and sites of ancient importance and of national importance as well. They conduct active research on the past events of the particular sites, provide information and also assist Archaeologists in preservation and conservation of potential sites and preventing them from any harm.	INR 3,00,000 - 4,00,000

MA Archaeology Future Scope

Candidates who have completed their degree in MA Archaeology can opt for various disciplines and sub branches of this course.

Due to an increase in demand for the preservation of our heritage, regional and national departments undertaking conservation projects require individuals who are well versed in the skills of Archaeology to assist them on various research initiatives and work.
Candidates can successfully seek employment as Archaeologists and conservationists with the famous Archaeological survey of India and can earn a fixed but attractive salary that is increased through promotions and experience in the field
Candidates can also work as research associates and teachers in leading learning colleges, universities and other facilities
Candidates can also work in the museums as managers and lead curators of museums and galleries
Candidates and individuals skilled in managing and administrative skills are also employed by various art galleries and museums for cataloguing their collections of ancient manuscripts, paintings and artifacts
Individuals can also work on managerial posts under the ministry of culture and tourism.

MA Archaeology FAQs

Ques. What is Archaeology?

Ans. Archaeology is a discipline that deals with the excavation of potential sites in order to procure ancient finds and culture, developing a sequence of past events and gathering information for the same.

Ques. What is the difference between ancient history and history?

Ans. Ancient history comprises events from the earliest times to 1200-1300 AD whereas history in general includes events from earliest to modern times. Ancient history is a specialized division of history.

Ques. What is the scope of Archaeology?

Ans. After successful completion of this degree course, one can work as archaeologists, tourism sector, teachers and research associates, as well as museum curators etc.

Ques. Which is the best college to study Archaeology from?

Ans. All the colleges mentioned in the article above are best in their fields and offer great curriculum and syllabus.

Ques. Is Archaeology popular in India?

Ans. Yes, it is. With the current revival in preservation of current monuments and heritage, more and more skilled personnel are required to provide assistance to Archaeological activities professionally. Hence it is a highly recommended field to pursue.

Ques. Can a graduate in ancient Indian history work abroad?

Ans. Yes they can, a graduate of this discipline can work as research associates and teachers in colleges abroad that are in need for professionals fluent in ancient Indian culture to provide assistance to their students, or to assist other research scholars in conducting cross cultural research and studies.

Ques. What are some good colleges of Archaeology in India?

Ans. The list of colleges is mentioned in the article above. Candidates are requested to go through the list and select the college of their choice.

Ques. What jobs can you get as an archaeology graduate?

Ans. Individuals can work as teachers, museum curators, research associates, archaeologists, conservationists, and heritage managers etc.

Ques. Is it worth pursuing a degree in archaeology?

Ans. Individuals who have dedication and passion towards preservation and protection of ancient past culture and civilization are required to study this course, this course also demands patience as Archaeologists work on field for longer durations to unearth material culture. Hence this choice depends upon the individual's will and consent.