There has not been a full-time director for the Department of Archaeology for more than two years now, and this has purportedly affected exploration and excavation in the State.
The State has more than 770 monuments that is under the protection of the Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage. This is the second highest in the country, after Uttar Pradesh.
Hence, it calls for the appointment of a full-time director, with a background in archaeology, to take a holistic view of fresh exploration, excavation, conservation and prepare a long-term action plan to take forward the exercise. In the absence of a full-time director, the department is being headed by the Deputy Director of Archives.
Sources admitted that the absence of a full-time director had affected the functioning of the department as its core functions of exploration and excavation have taken a back seat.
‘Government at it’
T. Venkatesh, Commissioner, Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, said that “the government was already at it” and the post would be filled soon.
The department was established in 1885 by B.L. Rice in Mysuru that led surveys, explorations and excavations in the State, culminating in the publication of Mysore Archaeological Reports.
In the past, the department has taken up major excavation works in Hampi, Talakadu, Annigeri, Sannati, and T. Narsipur, as wellas various megalithic, neolithic and pre-historic sites. In addition, it is also vested with the responsibility of epigraphic studies and numismatics.
N.S. Rangaraju, retired professor of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Mysore, said in addition to about 780 monuments protected by the Archaeology Department, there are 30,000 sites, temples, and monuments, which are not protected and need to be documented.
Meanwhile, a scholar said there was an acute shortage of qualified archaeologists and other staff.
Village survey
He also called for restarting the village survey and establishing an idol wing in Kerala and Tamil Nadu to stop the smuggling and theft of antiques.
Other suggestions include recruiting conservation engineers with knowledge of temple architecture and hiring professors to meet the shortage of staff, including epigraphists.