By Ranjan K Baruah
One of the common subjects for students of Arts is History. Humanity’s progress is also based on the past. When we want to progress and move ahead, it is also important for us to know about our past like civilisations and about people and their activities in the past.
History is the study of the past as it is described in written documents. Events occurring before written records are considered prehistory. It is an umbrella term that relates to past events as well as the memory, discovery, collection, organisation, presentation, and interpretation of information about these events.
Scholars who write about history are called historians. History can also refer to the academic discipline which uses a narrative to examine and analyse a sequence of past events, and objectively determine the patterns of cause and effect that determine them.
Students learn about history from schools. In higher studies it is part of Arts or Humanities and there are different levels like graduation and post graduation. Specialisation after history might be archaeology, conservationists, museologist, archivist, etc.
Archaeology is the study of human activity in the past, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that has been left behind by past human population, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts, cultural landscapes, etc.
The word archaeology is derived from two Greek words — ‘archaios’ which means ancient things and ‘logos’ which means theory of science.
Archaeology was first put to use by the Romans in the 18th century but it was given more accuracy by Heinrich Schliemann who brought to light the origins of Greek civilisation.
Archaeology can be one of the rewarding and challenging career opportunities for those who are keen 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.
Archaeology is a multidisciplinary science which draws help from geography, history, anthropology, chemistry, geology, art and literature. Those who are involved in the studies of archaeological discoveries are called archaeologists. There are courses related to same and aspirant may opt for it.
Numismatics, epigraphy, archives and museology are the important branches of Archaeology. One needs to spend time to become successful as it needs patience, training and time for research and learning.
Courses related to the subjects include Advance Diploma in Archaeology and Museology, B.A Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, M.A. Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, MA Archaeology, etc. Aspirants may join government services or join teaching. There are different opportunities to be in research and other fields.
ASI: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organisation for the archaeological researches and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance is the prime concern of the ASI.
Besides it regulate all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972. For the maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance the entire country is divided into 24 Circles.
The organisation has a large work force of trained archaeologists, conservators, epigraphist, architects and scientists for conducting archaeological research projects through its Circles, Museums, Excavation Branches, Prehistory Branch, Epigraphy Branches, Science Branch, Horticulture Branch, Building Survey Project, Temple Survey Projects and Underwater Archaeology Wing.
(Ranjan K Baruah is a career mentor and can be reached at [email protected] or 98640 55558 for any career related queries)