The second day of the International Conference-cum-Workshop on the History, Science and Technology of Indian Civilisation, focused on Indian metals and metallurgy, brought together scholars, researchers, and practitioners from across India and abroad at IIT Gandhinagar. The week-long event, which began on January 5, will continue until January 9, 2026.
“India has an exceptionally rich cultural heritage, and scientific analysis enables researchers to go beyond physical examination to understand the composition, provenance, trade networks, and technological advancements associated with ancient objects. These approaches help us gain a deeper and more accurate understanding of our past,” said Prof Alok Tripathi, Additional Director General, Archaeological Survey of India.
Highlighting the importance of public engagement, he added, “Research should not remain confined to academic journals. Significant findings must reach society so that people can understand, value, and actively participate in preserving our heritage.” He also noted that scientific analysis offers insights into India’s heritage that traditional methods alone cannot provide.
“The conference has brought together archaeologists, geochemists, and scientists from different disciplines on a single platform, enabling meaningful interaction and collaboration. Such interdisciplinary engagement is essential for advancing archaeological science in a more forward-looking and future-oriented manner,” said Prof K Rajan, Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology. He stressed that collaboration between archaeologists and scientists helps uncover the technological, cultural, and trade significance of metals and emerging fields like ancient DNA, palaeobotany, and archaeogeology.
“India has a very old and complex metallurgical tradition dating back more than 5,000 years, which forms an important part of the Indian knowledge system. This tradition has been nurtured by local communities over generations and continues to survive even today,” said Dr V Selvakumar. He noted that scientific analysis combined with traditional knowledge is vital to understanding India’s metallurgical history and training young researchers.
“While civilizations worldwide have documented their scientific achievements, India’s tools, techniques, and craft technologies remain underexplored. HSS–IIT Gandhinagar’s conferences aim to address this gap, bringing together leading scholars, inspiring new researchers, and applying modern scientific methods to study metallurgy, textiles, and subsistence patterns. It is encouraging to see collaborative research flourish across borders, reflecting not only a vibrant India but also an increasingly inclusive and integrated one,” said Dr. Alok Kumar Kanungo, Convener of the conference series.
A highlight of the day was the archaeological exhibition, featuring over 4,000-year-old metal artefacts, including anthropomorphics, iron tools, and other finds from 11 significant sites across India. Exhibits included artefacts from Gujarat (Prabhas Patan, Rojdi, Shikarpur), Tamil Nadu (Kilnamandi, Mayiladumparai, Sasthapuram, Thirumalapuram), Uttar Pradesh (Ganeshpura, Harinagar, Sakatpur Must), and the latest discoveries from Lothal (2024–25). This exhibition will continue till January 9th, 2026. The day also featured a live workshop, where Agaria and Kutia Kondh knowledge practitioners demonstrated traditional metal extraction techniques passed down through generations, offering participants a rare glimpse into ancient metallurgical practices still in use today.
The conference is organised in collaboration with Anusandhan National Research Foundation, Archaeological Survey of India, Indira Gandhi Manav Sangrahalaya, Gujarat State Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Gujarat Council on Science, Technology, and French National Centre for Scientific Research. It continues to promote academic exchange, mentorship, student engagement, and professional collaboration while preserving India’s rich technological heritage.