IIT Gandhinagar Hosts Hands-on Workshop on Lithic Use-Wear Analysis

The Archaeological Science Centre, Department of Earth Sciences, at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) inaugurated a week-long Hands-on Workshop on Lithic Use-Wear Analysis, being held from June 23 to 29 2025. 

This specialised training programme brings together 20 selected participants from academic and research institutions across India, offering them an immersive learning experience in lithic use-wear analysis—an essential method for understanding prehistoric stone tool functions through microscopic and experimental techniques. 

The inaugural ceremony was held on June 23 at AB 1/201, in the presence of guests including Prof Vikrant Jain, Head, Department of Earth Sciences and Prof Urjit Yagnik, Dean, Faculty Affairs, IIT Gandhinagar, who highlighted the significance of such focused training initiatives in advancing archaeological research. 

The workshop is jointly coordinated by Prof V N Prabhakar, Associate Professor at the Archaeological Science Centre, and Dr Devara Anil, Assistant Research Professor. The workshop structure combines rigorous methodology with hands-on experimentation, and includes: 

• Microscopic examination of lithic artefacts 

• Experimental tool replication and functional analysis 

• Guided sessions using comparative reference collections 

• Discussions on analytical frameworks and interdisciplinary approaches 

Two eminent scholars are serving as key resource persons for the workshop: 

• Prof Prakash Sinha, University of Allahabad 

• Dr Shashi Mehra, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda 

Speaking about the workshop, Prof V N Prabhakar noted, “This workshop is part of a broader vision to integrate scientific techniques with archaeological interpretation. We aim to equip researchers with not only methodological tools but also a critical understanding of how prehistoric communities interacted with their environments through technology.” 

Dr Devara Anil added, “Workshops of this nature, which combine analytical skills with experimental understanding, are rare in the Indian context. Our goal is to build technical capacity in lithic analysis and nurture young researchers in archaeological sciences.” 

By fostering interdisciplinary engagement across archaeology, earth sciences, and anthropology, the workshop reflects IIT Gandhinagar’s commitment to advancing field-based and laboratory-driven research in the sciences of the past. 

Also present at the inaugural session was Prof Vikrant Jain, Professor at the Department of Earth Sciences, IIT Gandhinagar, who shared his thoughts on the relevance of the workshop and the broader vision of the Archaeological Science Centre. He remarked, “The Archaeological Science Centre is undertaking pioneering work in applying scientific approaches to archaeological questions. This workshop reflects that effort—bridging traditional archaeological methods with cutting-edge analytical techniques to better understand human history.” Prof. Jain also emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing the field of archaeological science and congratulated the organizers for initiating a workshop that brings together hands-on experimentation and theoretical engagement. 

Prof Urjit Yajnik, Dean, Faculty Affairs, also addressed the gathering and highlighted the unique position of IIT Gandhinagar in advancing archaeological sciences. He stated, “IIT Gandhinagar is the only IIT in the country that hosts an Archaeological Science Centre. The centre is not only conducting high-quality research but is also actively engaged in training the younger generation of archaeologists in scientific methods and interdisciplinary approaches.” 

Prof Yajnik commended the initiative for fostering innovation and scientific rigour in the field of archaeology and emphasised the need to integrate such training into broader research ecosystems across the country.