Science and Technology in the Aid of Archaeology

 Archaeology is a scientific technique of ‘the study of the old’. It aims at reconstructing the human past in a comprehensive way by piecing together information gathered from all tangible remains from an ancient site by way of a systematic excavation or exploration. At initial stages, archaeology it was more a subject of humanities. But, slowly and steadily, archaeologists started to seek help from science and technology, and now it is more a science than arts. Almost all sciences (anthropology, physics, chemistry, geology, biology, mathematics, medical science, engineering, computer science, astronomy, seismology and so on) and many of the technologies/ instrumentation have started to make substantial contribution towards composition analysis source identification, manufacturing technologies, etc. in respect of samples. In the present, the speaker will discuss the importance of instrumentation in physical sciences to archaeology.

About Dr. R.S.Bisht:

Dr. R.S. Bisht led the expedition to Dholavira, one of India’s most prominent Harappan sites. There were 13 field excavations between 1990 and 2005. The excavation brought to light the urban planning and architecture, and unearthed large numbers of antiquities such as seals, beads, animal bones, gold, silver, terracotta ornaments, pottery and bronze vessels.
He was awarded Padma Shri in 2013 for his outstanding contribution to the field of archaeology.