A five-day seminar on ‘Characterisation and Conservation of Archaeological Objects’, targeting students and faculties in archaeology, culture and archaeomaterials, is being organised at CSIR-NMl. Under the aegis of INAE Study Group, the seminar will cover classroom lectures by leading experts in various areas of conservation and characterisation, experimental demonstrations and visual displays.
The purpose of the school is to inspire and bring the youngsters to fore for the long term sustainability and growth of the discipline. The selection of the participants will be on national basis.
The ‘INAE Study Group on Indian Engineering Heritage on Metallurgy’ was constituted in 1996 to carry out studies related to metallurgical heritage. Currently S Srikanth, Director, CSIR-NMl Jamshedpur is the chairman and N G Goswami, convener of the Study Group. The Study Group is actively involved in promoting the cause of Indian heritage in metals and alloys as well as in the conservation of archaeological relics of the country. long term sustainability of these activities calls for building of human resources and an inter-disciplinary approach involving metallurgists, material scientists, historians and practicing archaeologists.
A total of 42 participants from 20 states of the country representing 22 organisation participated in the deliberations.
While inaugurating the workshop Prof. S. Ranganathan, from NIAS, Bangalore said: “A knowledge of the scientific basis of conservation as well as characterisation techniques are key to the systematic learning and practicing of this profession.”