Brahmagiri excavation: ASI-Bengaluru and University of Pennsylvania join forces to unlock ancient mysteries

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First excavated in 1947 by Sir Mortimer Wheeler, the site in Ashoka Siddapura Village has revealed cultural significance spanning from the neolithic to the medieval period.

Bengaluru: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Bengaluru Circle, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania, launched a multi-disciplinary excavation at Brahmagiri in Chitradurga on Sunday.

First excavated in 1947 by Sir Mortimer Wheeler, the site in Ashoka Siddapura Village has revealed cultural significance spanning from the neolithic to the medieval period. The current excavation, however, will focus on detailed stratigraphic documentation and artifact analysis, employing scientific methods and the latest technology, according to an ASI press release.

Bipin Chandra, Superintending Archaeologist of ASI, Bengaluru Circle, clarified that the ongoing excavation is not a re-attempt of the colonial-era excavation. Instead, it targets 10x10 meter sites identified in collaboration with historians and research scholars from various universities.

“This excavation is multi-disciplinary, incorporating Geographic Information Systems (GIS), paleo-environmental studies, pollen analysis, photogrammetry, and LiDAR surveys,” Chandra explained.

The excavation is set to continue until March this year, with the potential for significant discoveries, he added.

Chandra will lead the excavation from ASI, while Prof Kathleen Morrison and Dr Mark T Lycett from the University of Pennsylvania will provide guidance in the latest excavation techniques.
 

A detailed summary from the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Paleoecology Lab explains that the excavation will help resolve key stratigraphic, chronological, and taxonomic issues, providing a more solid foundation for future research.
 

The re-excavation will expand beyond basic stratigraphy and chronology, exploring domestic architecture, ceramic, and metal production, and both local and long-distance trade.

The study will also address issues related to urbanisation, population aggregation, agricultural intensification, and the rise of institutionalised religions.

Team Members:

From ASI

  • Veeraraghavan N, Assistant Superintending Archaeologist 
  • R Ramesh, Assistant Superintending Archaeologist 
  • Vinuraj B, Assistant Archaeologist 
  • Murali Mohan, Surveyor 
  • Basavaraj Mayachari, Photographer 
  • Ponnathota Sudheer, Conservation Assistant 
     

From Penn

  • Mark Lycett, Professor
  • Kathleen Morrison, Professor
  • Austin Chad Hill, Postdoctoral Researcher 
  • CS Ambily, Postdoctoral Researcher 
  • Moriah McKenna, PhD Student 
  • Jennifer Feng, PhD Student