1 Key IIT Bombay Story for Indian Archaeology Professionals
According to Press Monitor's tracking of Indian publications, a significant development in Indian archaeology has emerged today. This news on IIT Bombay's Kundadi excavation reflects the growing role of media monitoring, press review, and media intelligence in tracking heritage and research developments across Indian print media.
1. IIT Bombay Gets ASI Approval for Kundadi Excavation
A front-page report in New Indian Express says the Archaeological Survey of India granted approval to IIT Bombay for archaeological excavation at Kundadi inside Palani Hills forest in Kodaikanal of Dindigul district, where groups of iron-age megalithic burials have been identified. The project, titled Mortuary Landscape of Southern India, is aimed at shedding light on burial practices, belief systems, and social and cultural life around 2,000 years ago, with the proposal currently pending with the office of the Chief Wildlife Warden of Tamil Nadu.
IIT Bombay has received approval from the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct excavation at Kundadi inside the Palani Hills forest in Kodaikanal, Dindigul district. The project, titled Mortuary Landscape of Southern India, aims to shed light on burial practices, belief systems, and social and cultural life around 2,000 years ago. Iron-age megalithic burials have been identified at the site, making it a high-value archaeological location.
Why it matters: This approval opens a window into southern India's ancient past and positions IIT Bombay at the forefront of heritage research. The project bridges academia and archaeology in a way that could reshape understanding of megalithic cultures.
Key detail: The proposal is currently pending with the office of the Chief Wildlife Warden of Tamil Nadu, meaning environmental and forest clearance remains the final hurdle before excavation begins.
Source: New Indian Express, reported by S V Krishna Chaitanya from Chennai on September 15, 2026.
Next step: Watch for the Chief Wildlife Warden's decision, which will determine when fieldwork can commence at Kundadi.
Which aspect of this excavation — the academic research, the heritage preservation angle, or the environmental clearance process — do you find most compelling? Tag @iitbombay and @ASI_India to share your perspective.