Hyderabad: Facelift work at Charminar and Ramappa Temple under the auspices of ASI has been expedited
GITAM School of Humanities & Social Sciences organizes one day workshop
Indian Institute of Heritage coming up soon
Dr Smita S Kumar, the Superintending Archaeologist, Hyderabad, said the facelift works of Charminar and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ramappa temple are going briskly, adding the accomplished developments are yielding positive results in the Hyderabad circle. She delivered an expert talk in a one-day workshop, organized here at the GITAM School of Social Sciences and Humanities (GSHS), here on Monday. The workshop titled ‘Significance of excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India’ was aimed to give an insight into the contributions of the archaeologists of our country.
“Archaeology is multidisciplinary; thus, Archaeological Survey of India needs young enthusiasts from various fields like engineering, chemistry, history, etc.,” she said. She briefed on the academic programs offered in India to become archaeologists, apart from various roles that the Archaeological Survey of India played.
The new underwater wing, the latest technologies like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geographic Penetrating Radar (GPR), aerial photography prompted curiosity among students. She also mentioned that India has 52 archaeology museums and six excavation centres. Dr Smita and her team exhibited the palaeolithic stone weapons from the first Stone Age to the last stage of the Neolithic period.
She mentioned the activities carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India, the expeditions and their processes. Dr Smitha also explained the tools, the sites and the various branches of ASI. She briefly explained the role of each unit in carrying out an expedition or site exploration. She said the government of India is planning to set up the Indian Institute of Heritage soon.
She explained the methods of conservation, processes of expeditions and the various steps that help in the smooth operation of the expedition.
While interacting with the students of GSHS, Dr Smitha explained the Epigraphical and Numismatic Studies carried out by ASI and described the process and use of the same. She also mentioned her experiences as an archaeologist. She expressed her opinions on various issues like reconstruction of monuments and conservation, restoration of heritage sites alongside the challenges faced by the department working under the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Government of India.
Dr V.V.Abhilash, who specialises in Cultural Studies and Dr Pooja Rhine, faculty in History coordinated the workshop. Students from different departments of Humanities, along with faculty members, were present.
