Thrust Area of Research:
The following thrust areas are being undertaken by the Department:
Archaeology
- Geoinformatics based exploration of Archaeological Sites
- 3D modelling of archaeological objects
- Himalayan Art and Architecture
- High Altitude Archaeology
- Archaeological Chemistry: Anthropogenic soil and Bone Chemistry
- Field Archaeology
- Ethnohistory
- Ethno archaeology
History
- Environmental History of Himalayas<
- Dalit and Tribal History
- Women and Society in Uttarakhand
- History of Indigenous Health Care Systems
- Oral and folk Traditions, Indigenous Ecological and Technological Knowledge in Himalaya
Achievements
The Department has conducted excavation at different places in Uttarakhand and the adjoining region during three and half decades since its inception in 1976. The important sites excavated are Ranihat (1976-78) , Thapli (1980) and Supana(1999) in Alaknanda valley Tehri district Mordhwaj in Bijnor district ( 1979-82), Bharat Mandir in Rishikesh( 1982-83 ), Purola in district Uttarakashi( 1985-87), Malari(1984, 2000, 2001), Sanana and Baseri in Ramganga valley in 1992-95, Koteshwar, District Rudrapryag, Uttarakhand in 2004- 2007, Khujnawar, District Sharanpur, U.P in 2005-6
A joint scientific expedition to Roopkund was made in August-September, 2003 with Miditech to make a documentary on the “Skeleton Lake” for National Geographic Channel. Dr. R.C.Bhatt, Shri Sudhir Nautiyal and Dr. Sanjiv Juyal participated in this expedition.
Presently the department is conducting exploration in to the Higher Himalyan region in Satluj and Baspa valley, Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh where the cist burials have been discovered for the first time which have been dated between 1350 B.C. to 500 B.C. based on the available C14 and TL dates. Besides this, the archaeological evidence of steatite beads, crucible and bronze technology has been found for the first time in higher altitude Trans-Himalayan region. next year the Department propose to undertake the excavation of the archaeological sites in Kinnaur valley, Himachal Pradesh.
The Department was included under the FIST programme by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt of India, develop the computing facilities and Library of the Department.
Research Activities
Prof. Vinod Nautiyal has been work on Computing Archaeology with special focus on the 3D modeling of archaeological objects ,particularly the pottery and terracotta’s through Laser Scanning. An Archaeological Computing Laboratory has been developed for this purpose . Similarly the other tools of Total Station and GIS are being employed for the field work.
Prof. Atul Saklani has been working on the Ethno History and Environmental History of Uttarakhand. A Multi Media Documentation Centre has been established in the Department for documenting the living traditions
A major project on Traditional Health care system is being carried out by Prof. Dinesh Saklani. Under the programme the retrieval and digitization of rare manuscript from Garhwal Himalaya has been takenProf. Shantan Singh Negi has been conducting research on Dalit and women issues of Uttarakhand and adjoining sataes
Prof. Rakesh Chandra Bhatt has been conducting research on art & Architecture of Uttarakhand and Hish altitude Himalayan Archaeology
A major project on Traditional Health care system is being carried out by Prof. Dinesh Saklani. Under the programme the retrieval and digitization of rare manuscript from Garhwal Himalaya has been taken Dr. Pradeep Mohan Saklani, Associate Professor has been conducting work on ethnoarchaeology of Uttarakhand Himalaya, Dr. Rajpal Singh Negi, Associate Professor has been conducting work on ethno history and living traditions of Uttarakhand Himalaya
Dr. Yogambar Singh Farswan, Associate Professor has been working on the bone and soil chemistry to reconstruct the palaeodietdiets of the ancient people and settlement patterns in past occupations.
Facilities
The following facilities for the scientific and computing work are available for teaching and research purpose: - Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer - Spectrophotometer-Sample digestion Unit with Fume hood. - Flame Photometer - 2-3D Profilograph - Roland Laser Scanner - Total Station - Internet facility for faculty, Research scholars and PG students - Computer Laboratory for Students under FIST programme