The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar is hosting a workshop on Lithic Use-Wear Analysis from June 23 to June 29, 2025. This week-long program is part of the Archaeological Science Centre, which is under the Department of Earth Sciences at IIT Gandhinagar. The workshop aims to provide an immersive learning experience to 20 selected participants from various academic and research institutions across India.
Lithic use-wear analysis is a scientific method that helps archaeologists understand the functions of stone tools used in prehistoric times. This technique uses microscopic and experimental approaches to study how these tools were used. By examining wear patterns on the tools, researchers can gain insights into the daily activities of ancient communities.
The workshop is coordinated by Professor V.N. Prabhakar and Dr. Devara Anil, both experts in the field. They emphasize the importance of combining scientific techniques with archaeological study. Professor Prabhakar noted, “This workshop is part of a broader vision to integrate scientific techniques with archaeological interpretation.” Dr. Anil added that workshops like this, which combine analytical skills with experimental understanding, are rare in India.
The workshop includes hands-on sessions where participants can engage directly with tools and learn about various lithic reduction technologies. These include percussion core reduction and pressure reduction, among others. Participants will have the opportunity to observe the production of flakes and learn how to apply technological analyses to archaeological findings.
The inaugural session of the workshop was attended by notable figures such as Professor Vikrant Jain, Head of the Department of Earth Sciences, and Professor Urjit Yagnik, Dean of Faculty Affairs at IIT Gandhinagar. They highlighted the significance of such training initiatives in enhancing archaeological research in India. Professor Jain remarked on the pioneering work being done at the Archaeological Science Centre. He stated, “This workshop reflects our effort to connect traditional archaeological methods with modern analytical techniques.”
Professor Yagnik also praised the initiative, saying, “IIT Gandhinagar is the only IIT that hosts an Archaeological Science Centre. We are not only conducting high-quality research but also training the next generation of archaeologists.”
The workshop represents IIT Gandhinagar’s commitment to advancing research in archaeological sciences and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. By integrating earth sciences, anthropology, and archaeology, the workshop aims to build technical capacity in lithic analysis and nurture young researchers. Through such initiatives, IIT Gandhinagar is setting a benchmark for archaeological training in India, bridging the gap between theory and practical application.
Participants in this workshop will leave with a better understanding of how prehistoric communities interacted with their environments using technology. The skills gained here will be valuable for their future research and contribute to the broader field of archaeological science. As research continues to uncover the past, workshops like this are crucial in equipping scholars with the necessary tools and knowledge to make significant contributions to our understanding of human history.
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