To
Shri Arunish Chawla
Secretary
Union Ministry of Culture
Dear Shri Chawla,
ASI should undertake a quick comprehensive exploration of ancient archaeological sites, based on cost-efficient ground-penetrating technologies like LIDAR, Satellite Imagery Analysis etc. to uncover and conserve such sites, before they fall prey to predatory real estate activity
Please refer to my two letters of June 19th and June 25th of 2024 addressed to your predecessor that ASI should deploy not-so-expensive, ground-penetrating technologies such as satellite-imagery analysis, exploration based on
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), geo-physical investigation etc. to uncover new archaeological evidence hidden under ground both around already discovered sites and at new sites discovered but yet to be excavated, so that such evidence may not fall prey to predatory real estate development.
Archaeological evidence once lost can never ever come back. Lost evidence leaves gaps in interpreting history.
I am aware that ASI did adopt such techniques for exploring Agroha site in Haryana but such examples are not common. An NIAS scholar used satellite imagery to explore the surroundings of the famous Nalanda Buddhist site and uncovered new archaeological evidence (http://eprints.nias.res.in/1135/) However, such efforts too have remained limited. Unless your Ministry and the ASI take interest, the use of advanced techniques of exploration will remain limited.
Recently, the Hon’ble AP High Court directed the ASI to verify whether new archaeological remains discovered a few years ago by a research scholar, Lars Fogelin around an already excavated Buddhist site at Thotlakonda near Visakhapatnam, the ASI, instead of professionally rising to the court’s expectation by applying advanced exploration techniques, deputed an ill-equipped team to attend to the task, that resulted in a sketchy, misleading report submitted to the court. For all we know, ASI’s negligence in the matter would result in precious historical evidence around Thotlakonda getting effaced.
It is high time that your Ministry realises the need for the ASI to take up a comprehensive exploration of the large number of archaeological sites across the country by adopting advanced technologies of the kind cited above, without indefinitely waiting for actual excavation work starting, in order to preempt possible effacement. One candidate site in AP, by way of example, is around the Amaravati Buddhist site in Andhra Pradesh where real estate activity hasalready taken its toll.
For example, recently, while the Prime Minister was proudly highlighting India’s commitment to the conservation of ancient heritage at an international conference on heritage, he was unaware that JCBs were flattening an archaeological mound outside Pithori Darwaja containing precious archaeological evidence in his hometown, Vadnagar in Gujarat! Had the ASI hastened to undertake a quick study of all such sites, such a sad spectacle would not have been witnessed (https://countercurrents.org/2024/07/letter-addressed-to-prime-minister-modi-on-the-steps-to-be-taken-to-protect-heritage-both-archaeological-and-geological/)
Other countries elsewhere are taking decisive steps to discover their lost heritage and conserve it by resorting to application of advanced technologies.
Very recently, a Mayan city lost in the dense jungle of southern Mexico has been revealed. “The city’s discovery didn’t require breaking through the jungle with machetes or patiently excavating with brushes and spatulas. Nor did researchers need tape measures, binoculars, or compasses to find their way through the thick foliage. Instead, they employed state-of-the-art technology: lasers, drones, and satellite maps. With these tools, they discovered a city hidden for centuries beneath the thick Mexican jungle, unearthing pyramids, enclosed plazas, and an ancient reservoir” (https://www.wired.com/story/lost-mayan-city-valeriana-lidar-discovery/)
Keeping in view what I have said above, may I appeal to your Ministry and the ASI to take up a quick exploration survey of the surroundings of all existing archaeological sites, irrespective of whether they are with the States or with the Centre, so as to uncover new evidence, if any, before it gets effaced?
Regards,
Yours sincerely,
E A S Sarma
Former Secretary to the Government of India
Visakhapatnam
