Gandhinagar - The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar, through its 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.
The workshop offers participants an in-depth introduction to prehistoric stone tool technologies and their role in understanding human evolution. It combines theoretical perspectives with practical hands-on training in lithic studies, enabling scholars to explore early human adaptation, technological development and cultural practices.
Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Kumar Akhilesh, Director, Sharma Centre for Heritage Education, described the program as one of the most significant archaeology workshops currently being conducted in the country. He said the training would help young scholars better identify lithythic assemblages and relate different mapping strategies and techniques to field work.
The Workshop is being conducted by the experts from the Sharma Center for Heritage Education, Chennai, and has brought together students and researchers from an immersive learning experience focused on both a traditional and modern approaches to Stone tool analysis. A major highlight of the workshop is the practical component where participants are being trained in lithic knapping techniques , including bipolar pebble splitting, flake production, bifacial handaxe strategies, laminar blade technology, and ground stone tool technologies. These sessions aim to build an understanding of technical skill, planning, and craftsmanship involved in prehistoric tool production.
Interactive lectures on human evolution and lithic technologies are also being held, along with exposure to modern analytical tools such as 3D scanning and geometric morphometrics, which will be explored in detail in subsequent sessions. Prof. Sharada Channarayapatna, Assistant Professor, Earth Sciences and Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT, Gandhinagar, said the workshop is distinct from regular training program as it introduces participants to stone tool technologies that evolved over nearly three million years, strengthening prehistoric research through hands on learning , combined with contemporary scientific methods.
Prof. Shanti Pappu, Founder-Secretary, Sharma Centre for Heritage Education, highlighted the importance of studying ancient technologies, stating that stone tools remain crucial for understanding human cognitive development and evolutionary history.
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