Experimental archaeology: fundamentals of the manufacture and use of prehistoric stone artifacts

The PGIAR is planning to organize a workshop on experimental archaeology: fundamentals of the manufacture and use of prehistoric stone artifacts on 29th -30th of December, 2018 from 9.00 am at the PGIAR labs/auditorium. The objective of this workshop is to understand stone tool making industry and their functions. Students will be provided with raw material, hammerstones, etc. and will be given basic training to understand knapping techniques (techniques to make stone tools). They will then have a structured workshop on the use of flakes on different plant material and procedures on documentation of experimental studies that are being conducted. This workshop will be conducted by the senior scholars from India and Sri Lanka: Prof. Santhi Pappu, Founder/Secretary Sharma centre for Heritage Education, India, Dr. Kumar Akhilesh, Director, Sharma Centre for Heritage Education, India, Dr. Nimal Perera, Former Deputy Director, Excavation/Department of Archaeology, Dr. S. U. Deraniyagala, Former Director General, Department of Archaeology.

29.12.2018 (Saturday)

Start time 9.00 am

9.00-9.15 ARRIVAL OF PARTICIPANTS  AND WELCOME  ADDRESS Dr. T. R. Premathilake

9.15-10.15Keynote Lecture: New approaches in the Study of Lithic Technology: Examples from India Prof. Shanti Pappu  +  Discussion

10.15-10.30 TEA

10.30-11.15Lecture:   Exploring lithic technological strategies through time (Interactive talk, demonstrations of technological strategies and viewing films) Dr. Kumar Akhilesh  + Discussion

11.15-12.30Lithic knapping

12.30-1.30 LUNCH

1.30-2.45Lithic knapping

2.45-3.00 TEA

3.00-5.00Lithic knapping

30.12.2018 (Sunday)

Start time 9.00 am

9.00-10.00Experience on stone tool found in Sri Lanka Dr. S. U Deraniyagala and Dr. Nimal Perera

10.00-12.00 Lithic knapping

12.00-1.00 LUNCH

1.00-3.00Lithic knapping

3.00-3.15 TEA

3.15-4.00Lithic knapping

End