The history and culture of Tamil Nadu is very old and rich. The Chera, Chola, Pandya, and Pallava kings have left behind amazing art, crafts, architecture, and inscriptions. To find out about these, the Archaeological Department of Tamil Nadu has carried out excavations at many places, such as Keezhadi, Adichanallur, Thondi, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and Sivagalai.
Recently, excavations are also going to start in Korkai, the old port of the Pandya kingdom. Work in the field of archaeology and epigraphy is increasing in Tamil Nadu. Many universities are now offering courses in this field. However experts say that there are very few jobs in this field.
Most jobs are available in the state and central archaeological departments, and these departments employ less than 200 people in total. In addition, government permission is required for archaeological excavation or research, and private companies cannot work in it.
There are still many old inscriptions to be studied in Tamil Nadu, but the number of experts (epigraphists) is decreasing. A big reason for this is that there are very few job opportunities in this field. Tamil Nadu's famous epigraph expert V. Vedachalam says that a good epigraphist should not only be able to read inscriptions but also understand the language.
Epigraphists working in South India must have knowledge of Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada languages, while those working in North India must know Sanskrit and Prakrit languages.
To pursue a career in archaeology and epigraphy, one must have an interest in art, sculpture, painting, and history. In Tamil Nadu, several colleges and universities such as Madras University, Tamil University (Thanjavur), Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (Tirunelveli), and St. Xavier's College (Palayamkottai) offer diploma and postgraduate courses in this subject.
Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) also offers a diploma course in archaeology and epigraphy. 12th pass students can apply for it. The course fee is ₹4,800 and it can be done in distance mode, allowing students to study from home.
'Heritage Clubs' have been formed in many government schools in Tamil Nadu, which teach children about archaeology, inscriptions, and heritage. Through these clubs, children are taken on museum visits, heritage walks, and study of inscriptions, which gives them practical experience.
