Extra Mural Lecture Series - April Edition held at Nila Campus

In the latest series of ‘Extra Mural Lecture held at IIT Palakkad on 12 April 2023, Dr. A.S. Gaur, Principal Technical Officer, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography briefed about the role of the sea in the growth of the ancient civilization, a study based on the maritime archaeological exploration along the Indian coast.

India's extensive coastline has historically offered many opportunities to utilize marine resources and provided maritime routes for overseas trade and commerce in the past. The traders of the Indian subcontinent's earliest civilization (Indus Civilization) plied their boats from Gujarat to the coast of the Persian Gulf and traded for over 500 years until the civilization's downfall in the early 2nd millennium BC. Dr. Gaur spoke on how Indian traders expanded their influence on trade and culture in the far east. However, the coastal habitation had faced various natural calamities such as cyclones and Tsunamis.

Dr. Gaur elaborated on various underwater explorations along the Indian coast at locations such as Dwarka, Bet Dwarka, Somnath, Poompuhar, Mahabalipuram, etc. He also spoke about a large number of stone structures that appear to be the remains of various ancient harbours. “The Indian coast has a long history of navigation which ultimately provided a huge opportunity and scope for shipwreck archaeology in India.” -he added.  Excavations along side Lakshadeep found three ships that were wrecked during second world war” he added.