History : A.I.H.C. and Archaeology

First Phase (1939-1961)

• The Department was located in the old building (now known as the Main Building/Administrative Building)
• Staff comprised of one Professor, one Reader, five lecturers and three research assistants.
• initiated research by conducting explorations and excavations
• first prehistoric excavation at Langhnaj (Gujarat)
• first protohistoric excavation at Rangpur (Gujarat)
• first early historic excavation at Brahmapuri (Kolhapur)
• other excavations conducted include Akhaj, Valasna, Nasik, Jorwe, Maheshwar-Navdatoli, Nevasa, Tripuri, Ter, Chandoli and Ahar
• Discovery of Middle Palaeolithic phase at Chirki Nevasa
• Identification of the Chalcolithic of Deccan and Neolithic of South India
• regular teaching to M.A. students began in mid 1950's
• Research collaborations with experts such as Zeuner, Clutton-Brock, Sophie Erhardt, etc
• Academic relations with scholars such as Sir. Wheeler, Profs. Childe and Braidwood

Second Phase (1961-1972)

• The department started operating from the new building
• Established a full scale Museum of Archaeology
• Maharashtra Government promoted 4 lecturers to readers in 1965
• Department of History shifted to Pune University campus
• organization of the first national seminar on, 'Indian Prehistory' in the year 1964
• Excavations conducted include Lalitpur, Dwarka, Mahadeo Piparia, Tekkalkota, Kupgal, Kayatha, Anagwadi, Sanganakallu, Songaon, Chirki-nala, Kodekal, Pandharpur, Palavoy, Tilwara, Inamgaon, Bagor, Terdal, Anupgarh, Ambari (Gauhati), Kurnool caves, Binjor, Durkadi-nalla, Tikona, Patne, Somnath and Prabhas Patan

Third Phase (1972-2000)

• UGC awarded Special Assistance Programme (SAP) from 1972-1985
• New posts filled under SAP programme were 1 Prof, 4 readers 5 lecturers 4 scientific assistants, 2 research assistants
• New extension of Archaeology Department buildings were constructed from SAP funds which now house the computer, archaeozoology, archaeobotany, bioanthropology, palynology, sedimentology and palaeontology laboratories
• Two national level seminars: Indian Prehistory (1974) and Recent Advances in Indian Archaeology (1983) were organised
• UGC awarded Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) in 1985 and continued till 2000 (Stage III)
• New posts filled under the CAS programme were 1 professor, 2 readers, 3 lecturers and 1 superintendent of excavations
• Extensions constructed include the upper floor of the museum galleries above the laboratories and the class rooms
• Ford Foundation Grant in 1988
• New laboratory for computer archaeology in 1988 from the Ford Foundation Grant
• One international seminar, 'Formation Process and Indian Archaeology' in 1999 jointly with annual conference of ISPQS, IAS, IHCS
• Excavations conducted include Bimbetka, Apegaon, Hunsgi, Wadoli-Waghodi, Naikund, Didwana 16R, Daulatabad, Indola-ki-Dhani, Singi Talav, Mahurjhari, Borgaon, Khairwada, Wangadari-Tadola, Kandhar, Bhagimohari, Kaothe, Raipur, Yediapur VI, Samnapur, Kuntasi, Mehtakheri, Padri, Budihal, Gilund, Devakachar (Narmada valley), Jhola ranga (wardha valley), Ganjur-Pohregaon, Korondia, Sakshal Pimpri, Isampur, Purani Marmi and Balathal
• Academic relations with scholars such as Bridget Allchin and F.R. Allchin, Graham Clarke, Desmond Clarke, Richard Meadow, Classon, Binford, Possehl Important contribution include reconstruction of socio-economic organisation of the Chalcolithic people and the discovery of indigenous development of settled life in Mewar, Rajasthan

Fourth Phase (2000 onwards)

• Construction of Repository, convocation hall and other extension rooms under IX and X plan of the UGC.
• Recruitment of staff on vacant posts due to retirement of earlier staff (2003, 2004-05, 2009, 2010 and 2013).
• Started construction of new museum of archaeology (using a part of the Rs. 5 crore sanctioned by the Ministry of Finance).
• Organised a national seminar to commemorate the birth centenary of Prof. Irawati Karve in 2005
• Organised an international seminar to commemorate the birth centenary of Prof. Hasmukh Dheerajlal Sankalia in 2007
• Harappan Seminar in 2012
• Regional seminar on the , 'Archaeology of Western India' for the 150th anniversary of ASI in 2012
• One-day seminars viz. 150th anniversary of Robert Bruce Foote's discovery of the first Acheulian handaxe, 80th birth anniversary of Dr. R.S. Pappu and 80th birth anniversary of Dr. S.N. Rajguru in 2013
• Excavations conducted include Kaundinyapur, Kelshi, Kasrawad, Morgaon, Guhagar, Palshet, Kahali-Brahmapuri, Mahurjhari, Paturda, Bhon, Harwadi, chaul, Siddhapur, Mudhavi, Sisupalgarh, Junnar, Surajkund, Hathnora, Kholapur, Pune, Chinchani, Farmana, Girawad, Mithathal, Savargaon, Karsola, Math-Pimpri, Vakav, Manikdurg, Mehtakheri, Manikapatna, Golbai-Sasan, Lathi, Hirapur, Khopadi, Kotada Bhadli, Banga-Harirajpur, Marayoor, Rakhigarhi, Tikoda, Dang-Dongari and Talapada