Ancient History & Archaeology

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

Department of Ancient History & Archaeology School of Historical Studies University of Madras

1 Name of the Department Ancient History & Archaeology 2 Year of establishment 1959 3 Is the Department part of a School of Historical Studies School/Faculty of the university? 4 Names of programmes offered (UG, 1. M.A. in Ancient History & PG, M.Phil., Ph.D., Integrated Archaeology Masters; Integrated Ph.D., D.Sc., 2. M.Phil. in Ancient History & D.Litt., etc.) Archaeology 3. Ph.D. in Ancient History & Archaeology 4. D.Litt. in Ancient History & Archaeology 5 Interdisciplinary programmes and i. Indian History - Introduction departments involved to Archaeology an elective paper is being offered ii. Anthropology - Archaeological Anthropology a core paper is being offered 6 Courses in collaboration with other Archaeological Survey of India, Govt. universities, industries, foreign of India - institutions, etc. (1) Every year one month internship programme is being offered by the ASI for the benefit of M.A. students. (2) Department was a Documentation centre, to document the antiquities under National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities – A National Project, sponsored by Govt. of India 7 Details of programmes discontinued, Nil if any, with reasons 8 Examination System: Annual/ Semester/Credit Based Credit System Semester/ Trimester/Choice Based Credit System

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

9 Participation of the department in the Indian History - Introduction to courses offered by other departments Archaeology an elective paper is being offered Anthropology - Archaeological Anthropology a core paper is being offered

10. Number of teaching posts sanctioned, filled and actual (Professors/Associate Professors/Asst. Professors/others) Sanctioned Filled Actual (including CAS & MPS) Professor 1 vacant Associate Professors 2 vacant Asst. Professors 3 2 Stage 1 -1 Stage 3 -1 Others

11. Faculty profile with name, qualification, designation, area of specialization, experience and research under guidance Name Qualification Designation Specialization No. of No. of Years of Ph.D./ Experience M.Phil. students guided for the last 4 years Dr. P.D. Balaji M.A., M.Phil., Asst.Profess Early 20 years Ph.D. – 3 Ph.D. or and Head Historical awarded i/c Archaeology, M.Phil – 6 Field awarded Archaeology Ph.D. – 5 under progress M.Phil –2 under progress Dr. M.A., M.Phil. Asst. Tourism, 8 years Ph.D. -1 J.Soundararajan Ph.D. Professor Architecture awarded Paintings M.Phil – 4 awarded Ph.D. – 4 under progress M.Phil. –2 under progress

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

12 List of senior Visiting Fellows, adjunct Guest Faculty – Dr. A. faculty, emeritus professors Ekambaranathan, Formerly Professor and Head, Dept. of Ancient History and Archaeology Teaching cum Research Fellow – Dr. C.K. Sivaprakasam, Formerly Associate Professor and Head, Dept. of History, Sri Poondi Pushpam College, Poondi, Tanjore 13 Percentage of classes taken by Guest Faculty – Dr. A. temporary faculty – programme-wise Ekambaranathan, Formerly Professor information and Head, Dept. of Ancient History and Archaeology Teaching cum Research Fellow – Dr. C.K. Sivaprakasam, Formerly Associate Professor and Head, Dept. of History, Sri Poondi Pushpam College, Poondi, Tanjore 14 Programme-wise Student Teacher Ratio M.A. – 1 : 20 M.Phil – 1: 2 15 Number of academic support staff (technical) and administrative staff: Cadre - Technical Sanctioned Filled Excavation in charge 1 Vacant Technical asst. curator 1 Vacant Technical Officer (pottery) 1 1 Technical officer (chemist) 1 Vacant Draughtsman Cum Artist 1 1 Surveyor 1 Vacant Photographer 1 1 Store keeper 1 1 Administrative staff ASO 1 1 Attender 1 1

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

16. Research thrust areas as recognized by major funding agencies

Field Archaeology Epigraphy Art and Architecture Early Historical Archaeology

17. Number of faculty with ongoing projects from a) national b) international funding agencies and c) Total grants received. Give the names of the funding agencies, project title and grants received project-wise. Dr. P.D. BALAJI Sl. Title of the Project Quantum of Funding Agency Years of Project No. Support Operation [Rupees in lakh] 1. Documentation of Rs.5, 39,100/- UGC – Major Research Project 2006-2009 Early Pandya Caves Final Report in Tamilnadu Submitted

2. Documentation of Rs. National Mission on 2009 - Antiquities in the 14,54,200/- Monuments and Antiquities, 2011Final Archaeological ASI, Ministry of Culture, Govt. Report submitted Museum of Madras of India, New Delhi University – NATIONAL PROJEJCT DR. J. SOUNDARARAJAN 3. An Intensive Study Rs. 2,90,600/- UGC – Major Research 2009-2011 Final of Stucco Images on Project Report submitted Temples in Tamil Country

18. Inter-institutional collaborative projects and associated grants received

1. Documentation of Rs. National Mission on 2009 - Antiquities in the 14,54,200/- Monuments and Antiquities, 2011Final Archaeological ASI, Ministry of Culture, Govt. Report submitted Museum of Madras of India, New Delhi University – NATIONAL PROJEJCT

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

19. Departmental projects funded by DST-FIST; UGC-SAP/CAS, DPE; DBT, ICSSR, AICTE, etc.; total grants received. NO 20. Research facility / centre with STATE & NATIONAL RECOGNITION

1. Approved by the Govt.of India to undertake archaeological excavation in Tamilnadu 2. Documentation Centre under National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities, Govt. of India 3. Archaeological Museum attached to the Department is recognised by the National Museum, New Delhi

21. Special research laboratories sponsored by / created by industry or corporate Govt. of India issue license every year to the Department to undertake annual excavation and exploration programmes, wherein M.A. students are imparted field training. During assessment year the Department had conducted archaeological excavation at Melchittamur and Arpakkam in Tamilnadu. Findings were published in the Annual Report i.e. Indian Archaeology – A Review, published by the Archaeological Survey of India.

EXCAVATION DIRECTED

Melchittamur 2008 Melchittamur 2009 Melchittamur 2010 Arpakkam 2011 Arpakkam 2012

SITES EXPLORED AND DISCOVERED

An inscription of Sambuvaraya was discovered at Padaivedu

A Buddhist site was brought to light near Kunnattur in Kanchipuram Dt.

An early historical site was discovered at Somangalam, Kanchipuram

A few sculptures like Jyestha, Chauri bearers, Dikpalas, Saptamatrikas, Surya of Pallava period were discovered in the Sriperumbudur taluk in the places like Manimangalam, Mangadu, Kunnattur, Sivankudal etc.

An urn burial site noticed near Thannirkulam in Tiruvellore District.

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

EXPLORATION CONDUCTED Conducted Explorations in many villages in Dharmapuri, Thiruvannamalai, Vellore, Villupuram, Thiruvellore and Kanchipuram District. During the course of Explorations the Post Graduate students were imparted field training

Besides, in connection with the UGC Major Research Project, all the 63 rock cut temples excavated by the early Pandyas in Tamilnadu were fully documented and studied. The results were published in the form of a book.

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

22. Publications: * Number of papers published in peer reviewed journals (national / international) : 20 * Monographs : 5 * Chapters in Books : 4 * Edited Books : 1 * Books with ISBN with details of publishers : 3 * Number listed in International Database (For e.g. Web of Science, Scopus, Humanities International Complete, Dare Database - International Social Sciences Directory, EBSCO host, etc.) : Nil * Citation Index – range / average : Nil * SNIP : Nil * SJR : Nil * Impact Factor – range / average : Nil * h-index : Nil

23. Details of patents and income generated - Nil

24. Areas of consultancy and income generated - Nil

25. Faculty selected nationally / internationally to visit other laboratories / institutions / industries in India and abroad Balaji P.D. – invited to deliver lecture in Tamil University, M.K. University and Deccan College, Pune

Soundararajan, J – Submitted a paper in the 22nd International Association of Historians of Asia in Surakarta, Indonesia from 2nd July to 6th July 2012

26. Faculty serving in Balaji, P.D.

National

Member (Govt. of India Nominee), State Level Implementation Committee for the Andaman and Nicobar, National Mission, Ministry of Culture, New Delhi, since 2009

Alternate Member, Central Organizing Committee, Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, New Delhi, 2009

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

Subject Expert for Tamilnadu, National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, 2009

Member, Heritage Building Committee of Madras University, University of Madras, Since 2010

Co-ordinator, Senate House - The maintenance of the Senate House Building in the University is under control of Department of Ancient History and Archaeology Since 2010

Advisor - Selection Committee, Staff Selection Commission, for the selection of Asst Archaeologists in the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi – held on 7th September 2010

Sessional President, Tamilnadu Archaeological Society, Karaikkudi, 14-15 July 2012

Awarded ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR 2012 IN ANCIENT HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Member, Executive Committee, Tamilnadu Archaeological Society, Thanjavur, 2006 to 2010

Member, Executive Committee, Saiva Siddhanta Perumandram, Chennai 2003 to 2008

Hon. Editor, Saiva Siddhanta, English Quarterly Journal from 28-3-2003 to 2009

Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Tamilnadu Archaeological Society, Thanjavur since 2009

27. Faculty recharging strategies (UGC, ASC, Refresher / orientation programs Balaji, P.D. 1. Refresher Programme on “Environmental Science” in the Madras University from 22-10-2009 to 11-11-2009 2. Summer School on “Recent Advances in Social Sciences & Humanites”, ASC, University of Madras from 9-5-2013 to 29-5-2013 Soundararajan, J. 1. Refresher Programme in History, ASC, University of Madras from 06-11-2008 to 26-11-2008 2. Orientation Programme 89th Batch, ASC, University of Madras from 20-5-2009 to 16-6-2009 3. Short Term course conducted by ASC, University of Madras from 18-2-2013 to 23-2-2013 4. National Workshop for Research Guide, ASC, Pondicherry University 23rd to 24th September 2010

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

28. Student projects In house projects

M.A. I and II year students were imparted field training in exploration and excavation respectively every year and they submit their individual report as project report for evaluation. – 100 %

M.A. I year students had undergone internship at Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai circle for a month, during summer vacation every year and at the end of the internship they submit report for evaluation. 29. Awards / recognitions received at the national and international level by FACULTY

Balaji, P.D. Member, Syndicate, University of Madras since 2011

As Member of the Syndicate, serves in various Syndicate sub-committee

Member, Senate, University of Madras- elected since October 2010

Member, Academic Council, University of Madras, since June 2008

University Nominee in the Board of Administration, Vidya Sagar College, Vedanarayanapuram since2011

University Nominee in the Board of Adminstration, TMG College for Arts and Science, Manimangalam since 2012

Co-ordinator, Senate House Building, University of Madras, since 2012

Chairman, Board of Studies for Ancient History & Archaeology, University of Madras Since May 2008

Member, Madras University Heritage Building Committee, University of Madras, since 2011

NATIONAL

Member (Govt. of India Nominee), State Level Implementation Committee for the Andaman and Nicobar, National Mission, Ministry of Culture, New Delhi, since 2009

Alternate Member, Central Organizing Committee, Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, New Delhi, 2009

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

Subject Expert for Tamilnadu, National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, 2009

Member, Heritage Building Committee of Madras University, University of Madras, Since 2010

Co-ordinator, Senate House - The maintenance of the Senate House Building in the University is under control of Department of Ancient History and Archaeology Since 2010

Advisor - Selection Committee, Staff Selection Commission, for the selection of Asst Archaeologists in the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi – held on 7th September 2010

Sessional President, Tamilnadu Archaeological Society, Karaikkudi, 14-15 July 2012.

Awarded Academic Achievement Award For 2012 In Ancient History and Archaeology

30. Seminars/ Conferences/Workshops organized and the source of funding (national / international) with details of outstanding participants, if any. (List given in Appendix – II) 31. Code of ethics for research followed by the departments - UGC Regulation on minimum standards and procedure for the award of M.Phil/ Ph.D degree – 2009 are followed. 32. Student profile programme-wise: Name of the Appli. Received Selected Pass percentage programme Male Female Male Female M.A. 2008-09 29 12 3 99% 100% M.A. 2009-10 18 10 - 95% 100% M.A. 2010-11 29 10 9 100% 100% M.A. 2011-12 15 6 5 99% 100% M.A. 2012-13 26 11 5 Under going M.Phil. 2008-09 3 - 1 100% M.Phil. 2009-10 5 1 1 100% M.Phil. 2010-11 13 3 5 100% M.Phil. 2011-12 6 3 - 100% M.Phil. 2012-13 9 3 1 Under going Ph.D. 2008-09 1 1 - 1 awarded Ph.D. 2009-10 2 2 0 Ph.D. 2010-11 2 2 0 Ph.D. 2011-12 3 2 1 2 awarded Ph.D. 2012-13 3 1 2 1 awarded

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

33. Diversity of students Name of the % of % of students % of students % of students Programme students from other from from other (refer to question from the universities universities countries no. 4) same within the outside the university State State Name of the % of students % of students %of students % of students programme from same from other from from other university universities universities country within the state outside the state M.A. 2008-09 50% 20% 20% 10% M.A. 2009-10 50% 30% 20% -- M.A. 2010-11 60% 20% 20% -- M.A. 2010-11 60% 20% 20% -- M.A. 2011-12 50% 30% 20% -- M.A. 2012-13 60% 10% 30% --

M.Phil. 2008-09 60% 20% 20% -- M.Phil. 2009-10 60% 40% -- -- M.Phil. 2010-11 60% 40% -- -- M.Phil. 2011-12 60% 40% -- -- M.Phil. 2012-13 60% 40% -- --

Ph.D. 2008-09 90% 10% -- -- Ph.D. 2009-10 90% 10% -- -- Ph.D. 2010-11 80% 10% 10% -- Ph.D. 2011-12 90% 10% -- -- Ph.D. 2012-13 90% 10% -- --

34. How many students have cleared Civil Services and Defence Services examinations, NET, SET, GATE and other competitive examinations? Give details category-wise. 2008 – two candidates cleared NET examination 2009- one candidate cleared NET examination 2011 – NET cleared by two candidates 2010-11 - four have cleared the selection examination for Asst. Archaeologist in ASI 2011-12 – Mr. Daljit Singh pass the CRPF examination and joined the force Staff Selection Selection

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

35. Student progression Student progression Percentage against enrolled UG to PG -- PG to M.Phil 70 % PG to Ph.D. 50% Ph.D. to Post 0 Doctoral 10% Employed Campus selection Other than campus recruitment 25% Entrepreneurs 10%

36. Diversity of staff Percentage of faculty who are graduates of the same university 50% from other universities within the State 50% from universities from other States -- from universities outside the country --

37. Number of faculty who were awarded M.Phil., Ph.D., D.Sc. and D.Litt. during the assessment period Dr. A. Ekambaranathan - awarded D.Litt degree in Ancient History and Archaeology in this University in 2008 38. Present details of departmental infrastructural facilities with regard to a. Library - more than 5000 books on archaeology is available b. Internet facility to staff and student – available c. Total number of class room – 3 class room d. Class room with ICT facility – one e. Students’ laboratory – not applicable f. Research Lab – the Department is attached with an Archaeological Museum housing more than 10,000 artifacts. The museum is recognised by the national museum, new delhi.

39. List of doctoral, post-doctoral students and Research Associates : Enclosed Doctoral students Under the guideship of Dr. P.D. Balaji D. Charlson G. Thirumoorthy E.Iniyan Krishnamoorthy Ranjith Sumu Gogoi Vijay

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

Jothiswaran Shalini Subhashini Deepak joe

Under the guideship of Dr. J.Soundararajan Kumaran Mahadevi Nandakumar

40. Number of post graduate students getting financial assistance from the university All the B.C. and S.C. and S.T. students are availing scholarship awarded by the Govt.

Besides, Endowment Merit Scholarship (Aringnar Anna , Sambuvaraya) are awarded to two students every year

41. Was any need assessment exercise undertaken before the development of new programme(s)? If so, highlight the methodology. All the decisions on revision or introduction new programme are taken by the BOS wherein, besides faculties, subject experts from ASI and State Dept.of Archaeology are represented. Based upon the consultation and recommendation of the BOS required changes are being made in the programme.

42. Does the department obtain feedback from a) Faculty on curriculum as well as teaching-learning-evaluation? If yes, how does the department utilize the feedback? Faculty on curriculum - as all the faculty are member of the BOS, their opinion and views are obtained b) Students on staff, curriculum and teaching-learning-evaluation and how does the department utilize the feedback? Students on staff – every academic year feedback is obtained by the IQAC and the findings are communicated to the faculty individually every year. The feedback is taken into account for confirmation/ promotion. c) Alumni and employers on the programmes offered and how does the department utilize the feedback? Opinions and suggestions of alumni and employers are periodically placed before the BoS for consideration.

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

43. List the distinguished alumni of the department (maximum 10) Noboru Karashima, Epigraphist, Tokyo University, Japan, Y. Subburayulu, Epigraphist, Member, ICHR S. Gurumurhty, Formerly Professor and Head, Dept. of Anc. Hist. & Archy, Uni. Of Madras K.Rajan, Professor of Archaeology, Central University, Pondicherry T. Ramasamy, Professor of Ancient History, Registrar, M.K. University, Madurai P.Shanmugam, Formerly Professor and Head, Dept. of Anc. Hist. & Archy, Uni. Of Madras A. Ekambaranathan, Formerly Professor and Head, Dept. of Anc. Hist. & Archy, Uni. Of Madras D. Dayalan, Director, Archaeological Survey of India, Govt. of Tamilnadu Natana Kasinathan, Formerly Director, Dept.of Archaeology, Govt. of Tamilnadu Vasanthi, Commissioner, Dept.of Archaeology, Govt. of Tamilnadu

44. Give details of student enrichment programmes (special lectures / workshops / seminar) involving external experts. The following subject experts delivered lectures in the Department on Ancient History and Archaeology, for the benefit of students

1. D. Dayalan, Director, Archaeological Survey of India, Govt. of Tamilnadu 2. Natana Kasinathan, Formerly Director, Dept.of Archaeology, Govt. of Tamilnadu 3. Vasanthi, Commissioner, Dept.of Archaeology, Govt. of Tamilnadu 4. S. Gurumurhty, Formerly Professor and Head, Dept. of Anc. Hist. & Archy, Uni. Of Madras 5. K.Rajan, Professor of Archaeology, Central University, Pondicherry 6. P.Shanmugam, Formerly Professor and Head, Dept. of Anc. Hist. & Archy, Uni. Of Madras 7. K.T. Narasimhan, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI 8. Satyabama Badreenath, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI 9. K.P. Rao, Professor of Archaeology, Central University, Hyderabad 10. Krishnan, Professor of Archaeology, M.S. University, Baroda. 11. Korisetter, Professor of Archaeology, Dharwad University 12. Athiyaman, Professor, Dept.of Under water Archaeology, Tamil University 13. T.Chandrakumar, Professor, Dept. of Sculpture, Tamil University 14. K.K.Choudry, Professor, S.V. University 15. Ajit Kumar, Professor, Kerala University 16. Rajavelu, Associate Professor, Tamil University 17. T. Satyamurthy, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI

45. List the teaching methods adopted by the faculty for different programmes.

Lecture supported by power point presentation. Any doubt on the part of the students is clarified in remedial classes. Frequent class test will be conducted to assess the students. There will be two sessional and one end semester examinations in every semester.

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

46. How does the department ensure that programme objectives are constantly met and learning outcomes are monitored? Students conduct field survey and excavate archeological sites based on the inputs received from the class room in addition to regular assessment.

47. Highlight the participation of students and faculty in extension activities.

Sl. Type of activity Period of Agency of Output No. activity collaboration 1. Participated in the For ten days Dept. of More than 1,00,000 archaeological from 25-9- Archaeology, people witness the exhibition conducted by 2010 Govt. of exhibition – An the Dept. of Tamilnadu awareness was Archaeology, Govt. of created among the Tamilnadu in common people commemoration of completion of 1000th years of construction of Brahadeswarar Temple at Tanjore 2. Celebration of Madras Heritage No 50 students Week walk collaboration participated 18-8-2010 3. Celebration of Madras 28-8-2011 Govt For the benefit of Day 2011 Museum, more than 200 Egmore children a lecture on “Temples of Chennai” was delivered by the HOD at the Museum Theatre 4. Teachers’ Day 2012 Lions Club Celebrated celebrations Teachers’ day and honoured more than 2000 retired teachers from various part of Chennai

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

48. Give details of “beyond syllabus scholarly activities” of the department. Every year excavation was conducted, wherein II year M.A. students were imparted field training for one month. I year students were imparted field training in the exploration. Besides, the Department and the students also participated in the following extension programme.

49. State whether the programme/ department is accredited/ graded by other agencies? If yes, give details. Nil

50. Briefly highlight the contributions of the department in generating new knowledge, basic or applied.

Students from foreign countries like Thailand, Japan, Poland, Srilanka and South Africa also had the opportunity of studying M.A. degree course in the department. Moreover, archaeological studies attracted research scholars from different parts of Peninsular India and North East India to the department in order to pursue research leading to M.Phil./ Ph.D. degrees. It is the only department offering M.A. Degree course in Ancient History and Archaeology in South India and recognized by the Government of India to undertake archaeological excavations annually and impart field training to M.A. students.

With a view to ascertain the spread of Neolithic culture and its links with the megalithic culture in Tamilnadu, archaeological explorations were carried out and new sites like Appukkallu, Mallappadi, Kallerimalai, Athiyamankottai, Tiruvakkarai and Guttur were identified in Tamilnadu, where the Department had undertaken archaeological excavations. Besides, to reinvestigate the origin of the rouletted ware, a variety of Roman pottery, collaborative excavation with Dr.Vimala Begly of the Pennisilvaniya University, U.S.A., was undertaken at the famous Indo-Roman trading center of Arikkamedu, Pondicherry, for 5 sessions (1990 - 95). The results of the excavations were highly rewarding, and earned good reputation to the Department.

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

The Department also had collaboration with Professor Nobru Karashima of the Tokyo University, Japan. With the financial support from the Government of Japan joint research project works were undertaken by Prof. K.V.Raman and Prof. P.Shanmugam. The results of the joint research projects had been published in the form of books.

Under F.I.P. programme also, many college Teachers registered for Ph.D. degree in the Department. Above all, Major and Minor research projects, sponsored by UGC, ICHR and Nehru Trust, New Delhi were undertaken by Faculty members.

This 50 years old Department of Ancient History and Archaeology is the alma mater for 500 Postgraduate students from the year of its inception till date. It has the credit of producing 142 M.Phil., 7 M.Litt., 65 Ph.D and 1 D.Litt. degrees. Faculty members have all along published 60 books and hundreds of research articles in reputed journals.

Conducting Seminars, Workshops, Conferences, Refresher Courses, Endowment Lectures, Explorations and Excavations are the regular Departmental activities towards achieving academic excellence in the field of Ancient History as well as Archaeology.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT

1. Tirukkampuliyur – Trichy District – 1962, 1963 2. Alagarai - Trichy District – 1964 3. Uraiyur – Trichy District – 1965 – 1968 4. Kanchipuram – Kanchipuram District – 1970 – 1976 5. Appukkallu – Vellore District – 1977 & 1980 6. Mallappadi - Krishnagiri District - 1978 7. Kallerimalai – Vellore District – 1979 8. Adiyamankottai – Dharmapuri Distric – 1981, 1982 9. Guttur – Dharmapuri District – 1983 10. Tiruvakkarai – Villupuram District – 1985 11. Tiruvamattur – Villupuram District – 1987 12. Kudikadu – Cuddalore District – 1989 13. Arikkamedu – Pondichery (Collaborated with Pennsylvania University, U.S.A.) 1990 – 1994 14. Padaiveedu – Tiruvannamalai District – 1995 15. Tiruverkadu – Chennai District – 1996 – 2000 16. Palur – Kanchipuram District – 2001 – 2005 17. Melchittamur – Villupuram District – 2006- 2010 18. Arpakkam – Kanchipuram District – since 2011

51. Detail five major Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges (SWOC) of the department. Strength – only university in the South India, undertaking archaeological excavation annually to train the students in field archaeology 17

NAAC Reaccreditation - Evaluative Report School of Historical Studies Department of Ancient History & Archaeology

Weakness – lack of faculty and technical staff Opportunity – Jobs are available as Assistant Archaeologist and Dy. Superintending Archaeologist posts in ASI and State Department of Archaeology and as curators in the Museums. Now they are also eligible to join the Tourism department and other departments connected with culture. Challenges: to keep pace with recent technological and scientific advancement, modern tools and technical devices are required to meet the challenges.

52. Future plans of the department. Ø To create a data bank on archaeological discoveries Ø To create laboratory for scientific dating Ø Computer lab for digital archaeology Ø Digitization of photography section Ø Upgrading of the existing archaeology in the Department