Established :

Established in 1988 by Prof. V.N. Misra with a grant given by the Ford Foundation

Facilities :

• Desktops
• Printers, Scanner
• Application softwares

Achievements :

• Desktops
• Maintains and updates computer-based data on administrative and academic activities of the Institute
• Designs and develops need-based computer packages
• Conducts training programmes
• Provides internet facilities to students

Projects ongoing :

• Preparing databases for Archaeological Sites, FaunalAnalysis , Artefact Analysis
• Remote Sensing and GIS
• Mapping and image processing

Name of Lab In-charges till date :

• Dr. A.R. Marathe
• Ravindra Gurjar
• Dr. V.S. Shinde
• Dr. Sushama G. Deo
• Dr. Prabodh Shirvalkar

Staff:

• Shri. Vineet Gaware

Established :

1959 by Prof. H.D. Sankalia and Dr. G.G. Mujumdar

Facilities :

• Fluorine Analysis
• Sedimentological analyses
• X-Ray Diffraction facility (XRD)
• Atomic Absorption Mass Spectro Photometer (AAMS)

Projects Completed :

• Method of Fluorine dating and relative chronology of Indian Archaeology (Bone Chemistry as tool for dating)
• Soil Chemistry of ancient Habitational Depositsin India
• Studies in Ancient Technology: Electrical Resistivity and Iron Smelting Technology in Iron Age India
• Glass Objects, provenance and analysis
• Palaeoditary interpretations of human population of Chalcolithic Inamgaon
• X-Ray Diffraction of ceramics in Indian and Gulf Archaeology: provenance, technology and cultural inland and overseas interactions in ancient India.

Projects ongoing :

• Bioapatite Minerology of living and extinct vertebrate fauna
• Isotope Chemistry of vertebrate fauna: Dietary, ecological and population movement studies in Indian Archaeology
• Trace element analyses of extinct hippopotamus in Inidian Palaeontology
• Provenance studies and ceramic technology of ceramics from sites in Abu Dhabi and Harappan, Kayatha culture of India
• Palaeobiochemistry of fossil record from Manjra valley, Maharashtra
• Provenance and trace element analysis of ceramics assemblage from Harappan site of Kotada Bhadli, Gujarat
• Residue Analysis of ceramics from Harappan sites with special reference to Kotada Bhadli, Khirsara and Farmana.

Name of Lab In-charges till date :

• Dr. G.G. Mujumdar
• Prof. V.D. Gogte
• Prof. B.C. Deotare
• Prof. Vijay Sathe
• Prof. P.P. Joglekar
• Dr. Gurudas Shete

Staff:

• Dr. Sachin Joshi (Chemical Assistant)

Established :

Established in 1972 by Dr. G.L. Badam

Facilities :

• Bone sectioning machines and microtomes
• PALAEOBOND Fossil consolidants
• Optical USB-mounted macroscope camera
• Reference collection of vertebrates, rodents and birds (various)

Projects Completed :

• Palaeontological explorations in:
  • Ghod Valley
  • Narmada Valley
  • Manjra Valley
  • Son Valley
  • Karewas of Kashmir
  • Wardha Valley
  • Bharuch District Gujarat
  • Upper Siwaliks of Jammu and Ambala and Chandigarh districts
• Taphonomic observations in Narmada Valley
• Taphonomic observations in Bandipora-Mudumalai National Park Complex, Tamil Nadu
• Systematic Palaeontology of Khatri Collection, Indraprastha Museum, c/o Indian Archaeological Society New Delhi
• Iconographic analysis of animal forms at Persepolis
• Analysis of material from Hunsgi- Baichbal valleys
• Analysis of Material from Morgaon
• Field Observations of Rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park, Assam
• Microvertebrates of Kopia, Sant Kabir Nagar district, U.P.

Projects ongoing :

• Faunal Analysis of Fossils from Lower Narmada Valley
• Faunal analysis of Kurnool cave complex
• Faunal analysis of skeletal remains form Rakhigarhi
• Barn Owl taphonomy project
• Field observations of bone modification by carnivores
• Manjra Valley Palaeoenvironment Project
• Iconography of animal forms in art and sculpture
• Palaeohistology of Large Mammalian Tooth Enamel

Name of Lab In-charges till date :

• Dr. G.L. Badam
• Prof. Vijay Sathe
• Prof. P.D. Sabale
• Prof. Pramod Joglekar
• Dr. Prateek Chakraborty

Staff :

Mr. Prateek Chakraborty since March 2013

Established :

1972 by Prof. M.D. Kajale

Facilities :

• Three low power microscopes CARLZEISS JENA (2) and LEITZ WETZLAR (1) Make with accessories for routine Archaeobotany practicals of M. A. And P. G. D. Students of Archaeology.
• One WILD Heerbrugg Make Stereomacroscope with Canon Powershot photomicrography attachment unit and Computer Wipro Super genius with CPU, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, UPS, for routine Archaeobotanical Research.
• Well equipped Palynological Processing Room with Centrifuge Machines R8C (REMI make) and R4C (REMI make), Oven (Labtronic make), Water Bath (Labin make), Fumigation Chamber (Wooden), Deep Freeze (Blue Star make) and all necessary chemicals, glasswares and consumables for routine palynological processing.
• One LEICA – Leitz DMRBE Microscope with LEICA DFC 280 photomicrography attachment and Computer – hp Compaq d290 MT with CPU, Monitor hp 7540, Keyboard hp, Mouse hp, Software CDs, UPS, Printer, Scanner for palynological analysis.
• Plant Herbarium room having well maintained plant parts in cupboards and steel racks
• One Microtome to cut sections of plant material for plant anatomical research.

Applications :

• The anatomical study of wood, Charcoal for understanding local vegetation, trade and intercultural communications.
• The study of plant remains in the form of food grains, seeds, fruits, husk impressions and compressions through scientific examinations, application of different techniques like Flotation and use of microscopes (Palaeoethnobotany/Archaeobotany).
• Quaternary pollen, spores, diatoms analysis (Archaeopalynology) and related interdisciplinary, palaeoenvironmental, ecological and palaeoclimatic studies.
• The study of Phytoliths (Phytolithology) (silica bodies of plant origin found in archaeological/geological deposits).
• The study of ancient faecal remains (Coprology) of human and animal origins for archaeobotany and archaeopalynology.
• The study of contemporary vegetation involving comparative plant taxonomy (collection and preservation of botanical specimens like herbarium specimens, seeds, fruits, fibers or wood etc.), ethnobotany, ethnoagriculture, actuo-palynology, palynarium, as a reference material which is necessary and important part of archaeobotanical research work.

Projects Completed :

• UGC minor research project: No. F. 21-29/83 (HR-I) dated 19th January 1984 Title of the Project: Study of Ancient Grains from Archaeological Sites Year: 1984 to 1986 Name of the Investigator: Dr. M. D. Kajale
• DST sponsored projects: Ref. No. ESS/CA/A3-12/94 dated 14th March 1995 Title of the Project: Late Quaternary Pollen Analytical and Palaeoenvironmental investigations on salt lake deposits in Western Rajasthan Year: 1995 to 1998 Name of the Principal Investigator: Dr. M. D. Kajale Name of the Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. B. C. Deotare
• DST sponsored projects: National Multi-Institutional Mega-Project No. ESS/CA/A3-8/92 Title of the Project: Quaternary Stratigraphy and Environmental History of Thar Desert Title of the Sub-Project: Proxy measures of Palaeoenvironment and Palaeomonsoonal changes in Western India using Aeolian and lacustrine sequences of Thar Desert and its margin Year: 1995 to 1998 Co-ordinator: Dr. B. C. Deotare
• NIOT research project: No.1 F/NIOT/Accts/Archaeology/08 dated 14th July 2004 Title of the Project: Palaeobotanical Study of Underwater Plant Remains recovered by NIOT, Chennai. Year: 2004 to 2006 Name of the Investigator: Dr. M. D. Kajale
• UGC sponsored major research project: Project No.F.5-122/2005(HRP) Title of the Project: Late Holocene Environment and agricultural practices in the Purna basin of Vidarbha, Maharashtra Year: 2006 to 2009 Name of the Investigator: Dr. B. C. Deotare Submitted to the University Grants Commission in December 2009

Botanical Studies Completed :

• Mesolithic Sites: Adam, Beli-Lena (Kitilgala), Damdama;
  
• Neolithic-Chalcolithic Sites: Adam, Apegaon, Balathal, Daimabad, Hallur, Inamgaon, Kaothe, Nevasa, Tuljapur Garghi, Agiabir;
  
• Harappan Sites: Kuntasi, Karsola;
  
• Iron Age-Megalithic Sites: Adam, Bhagimohari, Bhokardan, Kamrej, Koppa, Naikund, Nevasa, Tuljapur Garhi; Kaundinyapura, Mahurjhari, Malli;
  
• Early Historic Sites: Bhon, Kholapur. Junnar
  
• Medieval Sites: Paturda
  

Name of the Lab In-charge till date in chronological order :

• Prof. M. D. Kajale – From 1972 to May 2010
• Prof. B. C. Deotare – From June 2010 to September 2013
• Prof. P. P. Joglekar – From October 2013 to 13th October 2015
• Dr. Satish S. Naik – From 14th October 2015 to Till Date

Staff :

• Dr. Satish S. Naik since 2nd July 2003

Established :

1972 by Prof. M.D. Kajale

Facilities :

• One CARLZEISS JENAMED 2 and Carlzeiss Jenapol Make binocular microscope with all accessories for routine Palynology practical's of M. A. And P. G. D. Students of Archaeology and palynological research.
• One Palynarium Box
• One Card Index Box
• One Steel cupboard to store Palynological Material

Lab Incharges till date :

• Prof. M. D. Kajale – From 1972 to May 2010
• Prof. B. C. Deotare – From June 2010 to September 2013
• Prof. P. D. Sabale – From October 2013 to April 2024
• Dr. Satish Naik

Staff :

• Dr. Satish S. Naik since 2nd July 2003

Established :

1972 by (late) Dr. P.K. Thomas

Facilities :

• Reference skeletons of 300 animal species
• Basic instruments for analysis of the faunal material
• Archaeolozoological studies are conducted for sites of all cultural periods

Projects completed

• Mesolithic (Bagor, Tilwara, Damdama, Mahadaha, Kurnool caves (shells) Sakshal pimpri, Neolithic (Budhihal, Gopalpur, Lahuradeva), Chalcolithic (Prabhas patan, Inamgaon, Paithan, Apegaon, Kaothe Walki, Pipri, Watgal, Balathal, Mangalkot, Kusumjatra,Ojiyana, Purani marmi, Pakkakot), Harappan (Kuntasi, Shikarpur, Padri, Farmana, Bhirrana, Masudpur, Jaidak, Kanmer, Bagasra (shells), Tarkanewala Dera, Khirsara, Juni Kuran, Burj, Alamgirpur, Girawad), Iron Age (Bhagimohari, Raipur, Mahurjhari, Khairwada, Chak 87(PGW), Madina, Malhar), Early Historic (Chaul, Paturda, Bhon, Kholapur, Hathab, Junnar, Abhaipur, Patannam, , ChandanKheda, Arni ), Medieval (Pune, Kelshi, Balupur, Sanjan, Vadagaon, Wakav, Madardih)

Ongoing Projects :

• Faunal studies are currently being carried out for Bhirrana, Sishupalgarh, Indor Khera, Kotada Badli, Dihar, Dholavira (shells), Shiur, Hirapur, Karnapura, Karsola, Ganeshwar, Mitathal, Manikpatna.
• 2012-14 UGC Major research project in Humanities – An Archaeomalacological study of Marine shell artefacts from Early Historical Deccan (Co-ordinator: Dr. Arati Deshpande-Mukherjee).
• Archaeological investigations along the Somnath coast, Gujarat

Name of Laboratory In-charge :

• 1980-2007- Dr.P. K.Thomas
• 2007-2013-Dr.P.P.Joglekar
• 2013- present- Dr.Arati Deshpande-Mukherjee (Present)

Staff :

• Dr. Pankaj Goyal as Scientific Assistant since March 2013

Established :

1980 by Prof. S.R. Walimbe

Facilities :

• Basic Anthropological Instruments
• Several Original sets of articulated and disarticulated reference skeletons
• Repository for more than 500 Neolithic-Chalcolithic skeletal elements
• 2000 dental plaster casts of various castes and tribal groups

Completed Projects :

• Biological Anthropology of the Deccan Chalcolithic Populations.
• Dental Anthropology of Living and Prehistoric Populations in India.
• Long Bone (longitudinal) Growth Study Among Infants and Children.
• Enamel Defects on Deciduous Anterior Teeth.
• Palaeopathological Lesions / Anomalies Among Archaeological Human Skeletal Populations
• Ethnoarchaeological Study of Occupational Stress Markers.
• National Geographic Channel project on Roopkund Human Skeletal Remains.
• Molecular Studies on Ancient and Contemporary Human Groups.
• Bioanthropological studies for the Harappan site of Farmana, Dist. Rohtak, Haryana.
• Palaeopathology and the Indus Civilization

Ongoing project :

• Database for the Archaeological Human Skeletons.
• Prehistoric perspectives on the Indian 'thin-fat' phenotype: temporal trends in physique relative to environmental setting.

Charting the evolution of modern humans across space and time :

• The anthropology and genetics of Out of Africa, agricultural transitions and farming dispersals.

Staff :

Lab In-charge :

• Prof. S.R. Walimbe: 1980-2009
• Dr. Arti Deshpande-Mukherjee 2009-2011
• Dr. Veena Mushrif-Tripathy 2011 till date

Established :

1984 by Dr. S.N. Rajaguru

Facilities :

• Sieve shaker (not installed)
• Sieves
• weighing balance
• digital callipers
• fuming chamber
• distillation unit (not installed)
• Vacuum pump (not installed)
• munsell colour chart

Achievements:

• 1995-1998 Fluvial Response to Climatic Change in the Upper Godavari Valley (Ess/CA/A3/94), Sponsored by DST with funding of Rs. 3.93 lakh (principal investigator: Dr. S. Mishra)
• 1990-91 Upper Paleolithic excavations at Mehtakheri, sponsered by IGRMS, Bhopal with Rs 63,000 (principal investigator: Dr. S. Mishra)
• 1991-1994: Paleo and Modern Flood Geomorphology of the Central Narmada Basin. (ESS/CA/A3-04/90), (co-investigator: Dr. S. Mishra)

Lab In-charge :

• Prof. Sheila Mishra
• Prof. P. D. Sabale (Present)

Lab In-charge :

• PProf. P. D. Sabale