Anthropologists and Archaeologists

Why did new English words start popping up among the British colonists in North America? How were class distinctions in the New World different from those in the Old World? What can we learn about our ancestors from ancient skeletons and pottery fragments?

If you’re fascinated by questions like these, consider a career as an anthropologist or archaeologist. While some of these professionals are involved in research for its own sake, others use their skills in the world of business or government.

An anthropologist is someone who studies the social, cultural, evaluative, linguistic, and mental or physical developmental aspects of various levels of human society, both past and present. Anthropologists study people and primates (such as chimps), researching their cultural, physical, and social development over time.

Archaeologists investigate history by finding and studying the remains and objects a society leaves behind.

Required Intelligence

Primary: Linguistic Intelligence
Secondary: Logical-Mathematical Intelligence

Major Tasks:

To collect information by observing various human societies, internalizing them, and studying various aspects of society, including observations, internalizations, and interactions.
To explain the physical, mental, and cultural development of humanity (such as origin, physical characteristics, traditions, beliefs, language, resource management, and settlement).
To study the social, communal, organizational, demographic, health, mental, and traditional aspects of various human groups.
To make conclusions and provide guidance for the benefit of the community or group

Are You Ready To...?

Write reports under strict deadlines
Spend hours analyzing data and crunching numbers
Juggle teaching and research if you’re a professor
Travel to and live in unfamiliar cultures
Do tough physical work in harsh weather at a dig or building site
Work both independently and as part of a team

It Helps To Be...

Curious, creative, patient, analytical, and open-minded. You’ll need good writing and speaking skills to help people understand the results of your research.

Make High School Count

Work hard in all of your classes. You will need a lot of different skills and will use what you learn in English, social studies, math, science, and foreign languages.
Make the most of research assignments. Learn the best ways to find and organize information.
Look for a summer job or internship at a local museum, library, historic site, or historical society.

Did You Know?

Anthropologists can help businesses decide how best to sell their products. They can also help politicians decide how best to attract voters.

How to Reach There?

Pursue any subject in plus two, then study Bachelor's in Sociology, Master's in Anthropology or do specialization in these subjects (MPhil & PhDs)

Working Area

Governmental and international non-governmental organizations, universities, research centers.

Career Development Path

Senior Anthropologist
Social Scientist
Professor

Initial Monthly Income

After plus two, the Initial monthly income would be approximately Rs. 15,000 - 22,000