The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar’s Archaeological Sciences Centre commenced a three-day intensive archaeology workshop, titled “Lithics and Lives: The Past and Present in Stone Tool Studies”, on January 27, 2026, offering participants an in-depth introduction to prehistoric stone tool technologies and their role in understanding human evolution.
Indian prehistory represents one of the longest and most dynamic records of human existence, stretching back over 1.5 million years. Stone tools, among the earliest material evidence of human ingenuity, provide crucial insights into how early humans adapted to their environments, developed technologies, and shaped cultural practices. The workshop is designed to explore these themes by combining theoretical perspectives with hands-on training in lithic studies.
While speaking at the workshop, Dr Kumar Akhilesh, Director, Sharma Centre for Heritage Education, described the workshop organized by the Archaeological Science Center as one of the most significant currently taking place in the country.
“This workshop will help young scholars identify the lithic assemblage better. Especially when they go into the field, they will be able to relate different mapping strategies and various techniques, which will help them a lot in understanding lithic technology. It is truly a very important workshop for young students in terms of comprehending Palaeolithic Archaeology,” he remarked.
Conducted by experts from the Sharma Centre for Heritage Education, Chennai, the workshop has brought together students and researchers for an immersive learning experience focused on both traditional and modern approaches to stone tool analysis. The sessions have been designed not only to introduce participants to different lithic technologies but also to help dthem understand and assess the crucial role stone tool knapping plays in comprehending them.
A key highlight of the workshop is the practical component, where participants were introduced to a variety of lithic knapping techniques, including the bipolar method of splitting pebbles, the production of flakes, bifacial strategies to make handaxes, laminar technology to produce blades, and ground stone tool technologies. These hands-on sessions will help participants understand the technical skill, planning, and craftsmanship involved in prehistoric stone tool production.
These knapping sessions are interspersed with interactive thematic lectures on human evolution and the relevance of lithic technologies, laying the foundation for more advanced debates and discussions. Participants will be introduced to the scope of modern analytical approaches, including digital tools such as 3D scanning and Geometric Morphometrics, which will be explored in greater detail during subsequent sessions.
“Lithics, or stone artifacts, are crucial even today. Studying ancient technologies, stone tools, pottery or metal, helps us understand how we became what we are. Forgetting the past would be foolish, and even if these technologies are no longer part of daily life, they contribute to our knowledge of human evolution,” says Prof Shanti Pappu, Founder/Secretary, Sharma Centre for Heritage Education (Adjunct Professor, Krea University) while addressing participants during the workshop.
“Participants learn about the cognitive complexity of early humans and how they transformed a simple rock into tools that supported daily life and adaptation,” she noted.
Highlighting the significance of the workshop Prof Sharada Channarayapatna, Asst Professor, Earth Sciences & Humanities and Social Sciences, IITGN, said, “This workshop is distinct from our regular training programmes as it takes participants back to prehistoric times and introduces them to stone tool technologies that evolved over nearly three million years. Such workshops are rare and demand close interaction between participants and experts. By collaborating with the Sharma Centre for Heritage Education, we aim to strengthen prehistoric research by combining hands-on training with contemporary scientific methods, enabling young scholars to carry this learning forward in their future research.”
“Workshops take archaeology beyond textbooks into hands-on experience. They clarify misconceptions about lithic tools, encourage exploration of different viewpoints, and develop essential skills for students and researchers, who can then apply this understanding in their fieldwork,” she adds.
This novel workshop aims to provide advanced practical training through interactive discussions and deeper engagement with contemporary archaeological research methods, while inculcating a spirit of curiosity and critical thinking.