Research: Prehistoric Landscapes of Tamil Nadu
Our major ongoing project 'Prehistoric Landscapes of Tamil Nadu', aims at investigating questions related to the nature and distribution of prehistoric sites in relation to Quaternary environments of Tamil Nadu, South India. This has several major components.
1. Excavations at the Palaeolithic site of Attirampakkam
2. Satellite Remote Sensing, GIS and Prehistoric archaeology
3. Culture Resource Management of Prehistoric Archaeological sites
Issues related to the hominin adaptation to changing environments over the Pleistocene form the focus of this research. Changing patterns in the distribution of sites, assemblage composition, lithic technology, nature of transitions during the Palaeolithic, and chronology form aspects of this study. We aim at situating these studies within the perspective of broader issues in palaeoanthropology.
Ethnoarchaeology & Experimental Archaeology
Ethnoarchaeological studies amongst the Irula hunter-gatherers of Tamil Nadu led to exciting new insights into landuse patterns in the forests of northern Tamil Nadu. Dr. Kumar Akhilesh is currently experimenting with lithic knapping in order to understand the technology represented in the assemblages at Attirampakkam. Following a course in lithic technology and experimentation organised by Prof. J-P.Texier and colleagues at Les Eyzies, France, he began a program of experimentation on quartzites in Tamil Nadu.
History
of Prehistoric Archaeology
We are currently researching the life and work of the father of Indian Prehistory, Robert Bruce Foote.
The Homi Bhabha Fellowships Council
