University of Kerala Courses

M.A. (Archaeology)

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Duration: 2 Years

Eligibility: Graduate or Equivalent

Course Structure

Core Courses
Course No.	Course Title
ARC 511	Principles and Methods in Archaeology
ARC 512	World Prehistory
ARC 513	Indian Prehistory
ARC 514	Political History of  India
ARC 521	Protohistory
ARC 522	Early Iron Age of India
ARC 523	Early Indian Art
ARC 524	Indian Architecture
ARC 531	Research Methodology
ARC 532	Ancient Indian Iconography
ARC 541	Paleography and Epigraphy
ARC 542	Ancient Indian Numismatics
Arc-543	Dissertation and Comprehensive viva
Elective Courses
ARC 501	Museum Methods and Antiquarian Laws
ARC 502	Archaeology of Kerala
ARC 503	Ancient Religions of India
ARC 504	Islamic Architectural monuments at Delhi  and Agra
ARC 505	Science in Archaeology
ARC 506	Field Archaeology Exp
ARC 507	Study Tour

 

Course Syllabus

Core Courses

ARC 511                                                                                                                   

Principles and Methods in Archaeology

Archaeology - it’s definition, aim, scope and evolution. History of Indian archaeology.  Relationship of archaeology with Social and Natural sciences. Retrieval of Archaeological data: techniques of exploration and excavations. Recording. Aims and methods of conservation and preservation of archaeological remains. Post excavation analysis and interpretation of data - scientific, theoretical, analogical, experimental and ethno-archaeological. Preparation of reports. Chronology of dating: Relative: Stratigraphy, typology, seriation, cross-dating, Archaeo-zoological and Archaeo-botanical approaches.  Chronometric dating: Carbon-14, Potassium- Argon, Fission track, Thermo-luminescence, Dendro-chronology.

 

ARC 512                                                                                                                   

World Prehistory                                                                             

Geological, biological and cultural dimension of man. Quaternary period: Pleistocene and Holocene- environmental and climatic changes. Pleistocene flora and fauna, main stages of human evolution and important fossil records. Evolution of Stone - age tools. Typo-technology of Stone - age tools. Prehistory of Europe - Paleolithic to Neolithic cultures and Art. Prehistory of Africa- Paleolithic-Neolithic. Prehistory of China. Prehistory of Myanmar(Burma). Prehistory of Sri Lanka.

 

ARC 513                                                                                                       

Indian Prehistory

Paleo-environment of Stone Age sites in India -Sohan, Narmada, Godavari and Kotlayar.

Lower, Middle and Upper Paleolithic cultures of India - distribution, environment,                typo-technology of tools, subsistence, art, chronology, evidences from important sites. Mesolithic culture of India - distribution, environment, typo-technology of tools, subsistence, art, evidences from major sites. Neolithic culture of India - evidences from various regions and important excavated sites.

 

ARC 514                                                                                                                   

Political History of India (6^th Cent. BC- 13^th Cent. AD).

Geography, Sources - Archaeology and Literary. Pre-Mauryan - Janapadas, Persian and Greek invasions, rise of Magadhan Imperialism. Mauryan period- Chandragupta, Ashoka, Mauryan administration, cause of downfall. Post Mauryan rulers-Sunga, Kanva, Indo-Greek, Sakas, Pahalvas, Western Kshatrapas. Kushan Origin and Early History - Vikram and Sakka Eras. Rulers of the Deccan- Satavahanas, Ikshvakus, Vakatakas. Gupta dynasty: Origin, growth, contributions, Huna invasions and downfall. Harshavardan - his conquest, administration, religious policy.

Yosovarman of Kanauj, Gurjara  Pratiharas and Palas. Political history of major dynasties in Deccan and South India – Chalukyas of Badami, Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas of Kalyani, Gangas, Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Yadavas, Hoysalas and Kakatiyas.

 

ARC 521                                                                                                                   

Protohistory                                                                          

Pre and Early Harappan village cultures of North-Western India. Harappan Culture -Origin, extent, chronology, factors of urbanization, trade, script, religion arts and craft, factors of decline. Post Harappan cultures in Punjab, Haryana, Rajastan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Chalcolithic Cultures - Ahar, Kayatha, Malwa, Sawalda, Jorwe. Copper Hoard and OCP

 

ARC 522                                                                                                       

Early Iron Age in India                                                                                                       

Iron Age: Origin, Chronology-cultural features. Salient features of Painted Grey Ware culture. Megalithic Cultures of India: Distribution, typology and Material requirement. Salient features of NBPW culture. Excavated early historic site - Rajghat, Ujjain, Taxila, Mathura, Sravasti, Kausambi, Sishupalgarh, Sringaverpura, Satanikotta, Chandraketugarh, Nasik, Ariakmedu, and  Nagarjunakonda and Sannathi.

 

ARC 523                                                                                                       

Early Indian Art                                                                              

Mauryan Art-Pillar, Caves, Stupas, Stone sculptures and Terracotta. Important art centers of Post Mauryan Period- Barhut, Sanchi, Bodhgaya, Early Mathura, Udaigiri-Khandagiri, Western Indian Hinayana Buddhist caves, Amaravati. Kushan Art- Mathura-Gandhara Nagarjunakonda. The Classical Gupta Art, Vakataka art. Major Art Schools of Deccan and South India Chalukaya, Rahstrakuta, Pallava, Chola, Hoysala. Gujra-Prathiara, Chandelas, Pala-Sena, Eastern Ganga.

 

ARC 524                                                                                                       

Indian Architecture

Mauryan Architecture - Pillars, Caves, Palaces and Stupa. Post-Mauryan Period:  Stupa architecture- Sanchi, Barhut, Amaravti, Nagarjunakonda, Mathura, Pavan-Mori . Rock cut caves of Western India (Maharashtra) and Eastern India (Orissa). Gupta Architecture- Caves and Structural temples, Vakataka Caves at Ajanta. Chalukayan Architecture - Temples at Aihole, Badami, Pattadakal; Rashtrakuta-Ellora-Aurangabad. Parmara temples, Chandela temples and Orissan temples. Evolution of temples under Pallavas and Cholas.

 

ARC 531                                                                                                       

Research Methodology                                                                    

Role of research, Characteristics of Research. Research Methodology: Research methods and techniques, Traditional, Scientific, Historical, and Philological methods. Experimental research, survey, case study, field investigation, and evaluation. Hypothesis-its different form of testing. Research Design: Descriptive, diagnostic, exploratory and experimental. Collection of Data. It’s  processing and Analysis. Research Report -The research proposal, the introduction, review of literature, the methodology, analysis and interpretation of data summery, conclusion and bibliography. Research Report - A Case Study

 

ARC 532                                                                                                       

Ancient Indian Iconography                                                                       

Origin and development of Iconography in India. Antiquity of image worship in India. Iconometry. Iconography of the following deities - Siva, Vishnu, Brahma, Surya, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Parvati Saptamatrikas, Ashtadikapalas, Navagrahas. Buddhist Iconography-Buddha, Dhyani - Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Female deities. Iconography of Mahavira and Jain Tirthankaras.  

 

ARC 541                                                                                                       

Paleography and Epigraphy                                                           

Value of inscriptions for historical reconstruction; Origin and antiquity of the art of writing in India Writing materials, prashastis, land grants. Scripts - Kharoshti, Brahmi and its evolution into Nagari script. Study of selected epigraphs-Ashokan Edicts-rock edicts X,XII,XIII, Lumbini Inscriptions of Ashoka,Minor Rock Edicts of Bairat; Besnagar Garuda Pilllar inscriptions; Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela,  Nasik inscriptions of Gautamiputra Satakarni and Nahapana. Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman; Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudra Gupta, Aihole  Pillar iniscription of Pulakesin II, Gwalior inscription of Mihir Bhoja, Thanjavur inscription of Raja Raja Chola. 

 

ARC 542                                                                                                       

Ancient Indian Numismatics

Origin and antiquity of coinage in Ancient India. Coins as a source of history. Technique of manufacture and metrology. Survey of coin series in India.  Punch marked and cast coins. Local and Tribal coins. Satavahana coins. Indo-Greek coins. Kushana coins. Saka_Pahlavas. Coins of Western Kshatrapas.Gupta coins.Coins of Hunas, Maukharis and Pushpabhutis. Chola  Pandya and Chera coins.

 

ARC 543                                                                                                       

Dissertation                                                                           

Based on Original work by students in any of the following fields - Prehistory, Art, Architecture, Paleography, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Iconography or any related topic of interest and Comprehensive Viva-Voce.

 

Elective Courses                           

ARC 501                                                                                                       

Museum Methods and Antiquarian Laws

Museums - Definition, Development, function and organizations of museums. Types of Museums and Museum buildings. Artifacts –their collection, documentation, conservation and preservation. Exhibition – presentation, exhibition techniques, show cases and furniture Exhibit Lighting. Security. A brief history of Indian antiquarian laws in India. Salient features of the following Acts - a). Indian Treasure Trove Act-1878 b). The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 c). antiquities and Art Treasure Act 1972. 1972 UNESCO ‘Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and Natural Heritage’.

 

ARC 502

Archaeology of Kerala                                                                                             

Geomorphology of Kerala.  Paleolithic period of Kerala. Megalithic monuments of Kerala – It’s typology, origin cultural artifacts and significance. Development of temple Architecture in Kerala. Sculptural Art of Kerala- stone, wood, metals . Painting tradition in Kerala. Important Epigraphs of Kerala – Tarasapalli Copper Plate, Huzur office Plates of Karunandadakkan, Paliyam copper plates of Vikramaditya Varaguna, Jewish copper plates of Bhaskara RaviVarman. Roman and other important coin finds from Kerala.  Brief Introduction to Church and Mosque architecture in Kerala.

 

ARC 503                                                                                                                   

Ancient Religions of India                                                   

Vedic Religion. Buddhism and Jainism. Origin and development of Vaisnavisim,  Saivism and Saktisim. Religious Literature - Canonical texts of Buddhist, Jain and Brahmanical religions.  

 

ARC 504                                                                                                       

Islamic Architectural monuments at Delhi and Agra under the following dynasties

Salve dynasty. Khilji dynasty. Tughlak dynasty. Saiyyid and Lodhis.

Mughul dynasty.

 

ARC 505                                                                                                       

Science in Archaeology

Archaeology and Geology-Identification of Rocks and minerals. Scope of Paleontology   and Archaeozoological studies with special reference to India. Study and Identification of Human Bones. Scope of archaeobotanical studies. Topo-sheet reading and interpretation. Chemical Conservation of Iron and Copper objects

 

ARC 506                                                                                                       

Field Archaeology

Attending archaeological field work. Survey of a minimum 10 villages with antiquarian remains and presenting a report on the finds.

 

ARC 507                                                                                                       

Study tour                                                                                         

To impart practical know-how to students relevant to core courses – ARC- 511, 523 and 524.

 

Course Detail

Core Courses

ARC.511                                                                                                                   

Principles and Method in Archaeology

Unit-1

• Archaeology- it’s definition, aim, scope and evolution. 
• History of Indian archaeology.
• Relationship of Archaeology with Social and Natural Sciences.
• Retrieval of Archaeological data: technique of exploration and excavations.
• Recording.
• Aims and methods of conservation and preservation of archaeological remains.
• Post excavation analysis and interpretation of data-Scientific, Theoretical, analogical, Experimental and Ethno-archaeological approaches
• Preparation of reports

Unit-2

Chronology of dating: Relative: Stratigraphy, typology, seriation, cross-dating, Pleistocene Geochronology, Archaeozoological and Archeobotanical approaches. Chronometric dating: Carbon-14, Potassium- Argon, Fission track, Thermo-luminescence, Dendro-chronology.

 

ARC-512                                                                                                       

World Prehistory                                                                             

Unit-1

• Geological, biological and cultural dimension of man.
• Quaternary period: Pleistocene and Holocene- environmental and climatic changes.
• Pleistocene flora and fauna, main stages of human evolution and important fossil records Evolution of stone- age tools.  Typo-technology of  tools of Stone Age

Unit -2

• Prehistory of Europe - Paleolithic to Neolithic culture and Prehistoric Art
• Prehistory of Africa – Paleolithic to Neolithic

Unit-3

• Prehistory of China

Unit-4

• Prehistory of Myanmar (Burma)

Unit.5

• Prehistory of Sri Lanka

 

ARC-513                                                                                                       

Indian Prehistory

Unit-1

• Paleo-environment of Stone Age sites in India - Sohan, Narmada, Godavari and Kotlayar

Unit-2

• Lower, Middle and Upper Paleolithic cultures of India - distribution, environment, typo-technology of tools, subsistence, art, chronology, evidences from important sites.

Unit-3

• Mesolithic culture of India-Distribution, environment, typo-technology of tools, subsistence, art, evidences from major sites.

Unit-4

• Neolithic culture of India - Evidences from various regions and important excavated sites.

 

ARC 514                                                                                                                   

Political History of India (6^th Cent. BC- 13th Cent AD)

Unit -1

• Geography. Sources of history-Archaeology and Literary.

Unit-2

• Pre-Mauryan - Janapadas, Persian and Greek invasions, rise of Magadhan Imperialism.

Unit-3

• Mauryan period - Chandragupta, Ashoka,  Mauryan administration, cause of downfall

Unit-4

• Post Mauryan rulers - Sunga, Kanva, Indo-Greek, Sakas, Pahalvas, Western Kshatrapas

Unit-5

• Kushan Origin and Early History - Vikram and Sakka Eras

Unit-6

• Rulers of the Deccan - Satavahanas, Ikshvakus,  and Vakatakas

Unit-7

• Gupta dynasty - Origin, Growth, Contributions, Huna invasions and downfall

Unit-8

• Harshavardan - his conquest, administration, religious policy

Unit-9

• Yosovarman of Kanauj, Gurjara Prtiharas and Palas

Unit-10

• Political history of major dynasties in Deccan and South India –Chalukyas of Badami, Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas of Kalyani, Gangas, Pallvas, Cholas, Pandyas, Yadavas, Hoysalas and Kakatiyas

 

ARC: 521                                                                                                      

Proto-history    

Unit-1

• Pre and Early Harappan village cultures of North - Western India.

Unit-2

• Harappan Culture-Origin, extent, chronology, factors of urbanization, trade, script, religion arts and craft, factors of decline.

Unit-3

• Post Harappan cultures in Punjab, Haryana, Rajastan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

Unit-4

• Chalcolithic Cultures - Ahar, Kayatha, Malwa, Savalda, Jorwe.

Unit-5

• Copper Hoard and OCP.

 

ARC 522                                                                                                       

Early Iron Age in India    

Unit-1

• Early occurrence of Iron: Chrono-cultural features

Unit-2

• Salient features of Painted Grew Ware culture

Unit-3

• Megalithic Cultures of India: Distribution, Typology, excavated sites cultural artifacts.

Unit-4

• Salient features of NBPW culture

Unit-5

• Excavated early historic sites – Rajghat, Ujjain, Taxila, Mathura, Sravasti, Kausambi, Sishupalgarh, Sringaverpura, Satanikotta, Chandraketugarh, Nasik, Arikamedu, and  Nagarjunakonda and Sannathi.

 

ARC-523                                                                                                       

Early Indian Art                                                                  

Unit-1

• Mauryan Art - Pillars, Caves, Stupas, Stone sculptures, Terracotta

Unit-2

• Important art centers of Post Mauryan Period- Barhut, Sanchi, Bodhgaya, Early Mathura, Udaigiri -Khandagiri, Western Indian Hinayana Buddhist caves, Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda.

Unit-3

• Kushan Art - Mathura - Gandhara

Unit-4

• The Classical Gupta Art, and Vakataka art

Unit-5

• Art Schools of Deccan and South India - Chalukya, Rahstrakuta, Pallava, Chola, Hoysala

Unit-6

• Art under Gurjara-Prathiara,  Chandelas, Pala-Sena, Eastern Ganga dynasties.

 

ARC-524                                                                                                       

Indian Architecture

Unit-1

• Mauryan Architecture - Pillars, Caves, Palaces and Stupas.

Unit-2

• Post-Mauryan Period:  Evolution of Stupa architecture - Sanchi, Barhut, Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda, Mathura, Devnimori.
• Rock cut caves of Western India (Maharashtra) and Eastern India (Orissa)

Unit-3

• Gupta Architecture - Caves and Structural temples, Vakataka Caves at Ajanta

Unit-4

• Chalukayan Architecture - Temples at Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal; Rashtrakuta-Ellora and Aurangabad caves.

Unit-5

• Paramara temples, Chandela temples and Orissan temples

Unit-6

• Evolution of temples under - Pallavas and Cholas

 

ARC-531                                                                                                                   

Research Methodology                                                                    

Unit-1

• Role of Research, Characteristics of Research.

Unit-2

• Research Methodology:  Research Methods and Techniques – Traditional, Scientific, Historical, and Philological methods. Survey, Case Study, Field Investigation, and Evaluation

Unit-3

• Hypothesis - its different forms of testing

Unit-4

• Research Design: Descriptive, diagnostic, exploratory and experimental

Unit-5

• Collection of Data. It’s Processing and Analysis

Unit-6

• Research Report - The research proposal, the introduction, review of literature, the methodology, analysis and interpretation of data, summery, conclusion and bibliography

Unit-7

• Research Report - A Case Study.

 

ARC-532                                                                                                       

Ancient Indian Iconography

Unit-1

• Origin and development of Iconography in India
• Antiquity of image worship in India

Unit-2

• Iconometry

Unit-3

• Iconography of the following deities - Siva, Vishnu, Brahma, Surya, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Durga, Lakshmi, Parvati Saraswati, Saptamatrikas, Ashtadikapalas, Navagrahas.

Unit-4

• Buddhist Iconography - Buddha, Dhyani Buddhas, Bodhisattva, Female deities

Unit-5

• Iconography of Jain Tirthankaras

 

ARC -541                                                                                                      

Paleography and Epigraphy    

Unit-1

• Value of inscriptions for historical reconstruction; Origin and antiquity of the art of writing in India, writing materials, prashastis, land grants

Unit-2

• Scripts - Kharoshti, Brahmi and its evolution into Nagari script

Unit-3

• Study of selected epigraphs-
  • Ashokan Edicts-rock edicts X,XII,XIII, Lumbini Inscriptions of Ashoka, Minor Rock Edicts of Bairat; Besnagar Garuda Pillar inscription; Hathigumpha Inscription of Kharavela, Nasik inscription of Gautamiputra Satakarni and Nahapana, Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman; Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudra Gupta, Aihole Pillar inscription of Pulakesin II, Gwalior inscription of Mihir Bhoja, Thanjavur inscription of Raja Raja Chola,

 

ARC 542                                                                                                       

Ancient Indian Numismatics

Unit-1

• Origin and antiquity of coinage in Ancient India.
• Coins as a source of history.
• Technique of manufacture and metrology.

Unit-2

Survey of the following coin series in India

• Punch marked and cast coins.
• Local and Tribal coins
• Satavahana coins
• Indo-Greek coins
• Kushana coins
• Saka_Pahlavas
• Coins of Western Kshatrapa
• Gupta coins
• Coins of Hunas, Maukharis and Pushpabhutis
• Chola, Pandya and Chera coins

 

ARC 543                                                                                                       

Dissertation                                                                           

• Based on Original work by students in any of the following fields-Prehistory, Art, and Architecture, Paleography, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Iconography or any related topic of interest.
• Comprehensive Viva-Voce    

 

Electives                                            

ARC 501                                                                                                       

Museum Methods and Antiquarian Laws.

Unit-1

• Museums - Definition, development, function and organizations of museums.

Unit-2

• Types of Museums and Museum Buildings.

Unit-3

• Artifacts –Their collection, documentation, conservation and preservation.

Unit-4

• Exhibition - Presentation exhibition technique, show cases, furniture exhibit lighting

Unit-5

• Security

Unit-6

• A brief history of Indian antiquarian laws in India. Salient features of the following Acts -
  • Indian Treasure Trove Act-1878. 
  • The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 and c) Antiquities and Art Treasure Act 1972.

Unit-7

• 1972 UNESCO ‘Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and Natural Heritage’.

 

ARC-502                                                                                                       

Archaeology of Kerala   

Unit-1

• Geomorphology of Kerala.

Unit-2

• Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic period in Kerala.

Unit-3

• Megalithic monuments of Kerala – its typology, origin, cultural artifacts and significance.

Unit-4

• Development of temple Architecture in Kerala.

Unit-5

• Sculptural Art of Kerala - stone, wood, metals.

Unit-6

• Mural Painting tradition in Kerala.

Unit-7

• Important Epigraphs of Kerala – Tarasapalli Copper Plate, Huzur office Plates of Karunandadakkan, Paliyam copper plates of Vikramaditya Varaguna, and Jewish copper plates of Bhaskara Ravi Varman.

Unit-8

• Numismatics – Roman and other important coin finds from Kerala.

Unit-9

• Brief Introduction to Church and Mosque architecture in Kerala.

 

ARC-503                                                                                                                   

Ancient Religions of India  

Unit-1

• Vedic Religion

Unit-2

• Buddhism and Jainism

Unit-3

• Vaisnavism-Origin and development

Unit-4

• Saivism-Origin and development

Unit-5

• Saktism- Origin and development

Unit-6

• Religious Literature - Canonical text of Buddhist, Jain and Brahmanical Religions.

 

ARC-504                                                                                                       

Islamic Architectural monuments at Delhi and Agra under the following dynasties-

Unit-1

• Slave dynasty

Unit-2

• Khilji dynasty

Unit-3

• Tughlak dynasty

Unit-4

• Sayyid and Lodhis

Unit-5

• Mughal dynasty

 

ARC -505                                                                                                      

Science in Archaeology

Unit-1

• Archaeology and Geology-Identification of Rocks and Minerals

Unit-2

• Scope of Paleontological and Archaeozoological studies with special reference to India

Unit-3

• Study and Identification of Human Bones

Unit-4

• Scope of archaeobotanical studies

Unit-5

• Topo-sheet reading and interpretation

Unit-6

• Chemical Conservation of Iron and Copper objects

 

ARC-506                                                                                                       

Field Archaeology - ARC 506                                                                     

• Attending archaeological field work. Survey of a minimum 10 villages with antiquarian remains and presenting a report on the finds.

 

ARC-507

Study tour                                                                                                     

• To impart practical knowledge to students with respect to core courses – ARC- 511, 523 and 524.