Recent Advances in Archaeological Investigations of South India Proceedings- 2nd International Seminar in Commemoration of Padmasri Iravatham Mahadevan (2023 March 10-12)

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The culture and heritage of any nation is unique and region specific. The ethos of the region echoes in their tangible and intangible evidences. The cultural values are conditioned by the geographical, environmental and natural resources. The Tamil heritage preserved over the years without much change in its basic structure. The changes, both experienced and witnessed, is the result of its response to the changing scenario its resource base. The long survival of the language by absorbing the contemporary needs of the society is one of the unique features of this region. The long survival of the Tamil language displays its adaptability and acceptability. Besides the language, the other cultural items also reflect its uniqueness and its survival ability irrespective of onslaught incoming cultures. The distinct data exposed in recent archaeological and lithic evidences stand as a testimony for its long sustainable survival.

Thus, understanding the cultural uniqueness of a region through material evidences is important to get a true picture. The initiation of numerous programmes in the form of explorations and excavations to unravel the past provided a new insight. The archaeological explorations and excavations were planned in such a way to fill the cultural gap. The excavated sites of prehistoric and historic period such as Kilnamandi, Boothinattam, Gangaikondacholapuram, Porpanaikottai, Keeladi, Vembakottai and Thulukkarpatti provided a bird view on the cultural landscape of Tamil Nadu. Besides, the project on Rock Art, Graffiti and Tamili inscribed potsherds, Archaeological and Historical Atlas, Korkai Underwater Archaeological Expeditions, accumulation of inscriptional data, conservation of heritage sites and monuments of national importance and establishment of museums to show case the cultural landscape to the general public stand as a guiding principle in archaeological arena. The Department strongly believes that these integrated activities will help to expose the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu.

Archaeology plays a significant role in the reconstruction of the past. To discuss the recent advances in the field of archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics, history, historical linguistics, art, architecture, iconography, physical and cultural anthropology, aDNA, Palaeo-botany, Archaeo-zoology, Metallurgy, GIS, and many other interconnected areas workshops, brainstorming sessions, and seminars must beorganized regularly. To meet and mitigate intellectual deficiencies, an academic platform should be arranged to discuss and exchange valuable thoughts.

The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology shares its experiences with fellow scholars by organizing seminars periodically to carry forward the cultural items unearthed in Tamil Nadu. The Government of Tamil Nadu is making every possible effort to reconstruct the past, with a firm focus on the history and culture of Tamil Nadu, through a multi-disciplinary approach that emphasizes scientific accuracy.

We express our gratitude to several internationally renowned scientific institutions, such as the Indian Institute of Technology (Gandhi Nagar), the Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore), BSIP (Lucknow), Physical Research Laboratory (Ahmedabad), Agargar Research Institute (Pune), Archaeological Survey of India, Deccan College (Pune), Central and State Universities, Indra Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research at Kalpakkam, National Institute of Advanced Studies (Bangalore), and numerous other institutions from India and abroad.

Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology has been organizing International Seminars in commemoration of Padmasri Iravatham Mahadevan every year to acknowledge his valuable contribution to the Tamil community.