TIFR proposal to boost archaeological studies

Stating that Indian archaeological studies have been severely handicapped due to lack of access to modern instrumentation

Stating that Indian archaeological studies have been severely handicapped due to lack of access to modern instrumentation,the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research along with other institutions is firming up a proposal which will enable researchers in physical sciences and archaeologists to work together and use each others’ expertise. The reason being that several instruments used by both are similar. The proposal will be placed before funding agencies.

“There are 45 carbon dating facilities globally,but India does not have a single reliable carbon dating facility,which is very important for dating archaeological artefacts. The other instruments used in archeology are also very similar to those used in studies of condensed matter physics and biology. It is thus important that archaeologists and researchers in physical sciences sit together and work out how each can use the expertise of the other for mutual benefit,” said professor Mayank Vahia,scientist at TIFR’s department of astronomy and astrophysics.

Accordingly,under the initiative of International Centre for Theoretical Sciences at TIFR,Deccan College (Pune),Department of South Asian Studies at University of Wisconsin (USA) and TIFR are organising a meeting this month,which will include researchers and scientists from India,USA,UK and Korea. It will discuss and list the instrumentation needs of Indian archaeologists.

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“The idea is that we get together and discuss the equipments and the precision that we want. We intend to list all the desirable instruments. Subsequently,a comprehensive proposal will be put up before funding agencies. Various agencies have encouraged us to submit a final proposal for their consideration,” said Vahia.

The six-day workshop will focus on what has been achieved in the field of archaeology,the kinds of instruments which have been used and what needs to be done in future. Over 60 participants,including director-general of the Archaeological Survey of India,director-general of the National Council of Science Museums and leading researchers in Indian pre-history from other countries,will be present at the workshop.

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