Experimental Archaeology Lab, University of Allahabad

The Experimental Archaeology Laboratory, University of Allahabad, is one of the very few archaeological laboratories in South Asia which are engaged in experimental archaeological sciences. Prof. Prakash Sinha, is the head and in-charge of the laboratory. Presently, there are three doctoral students who are conducting their researches in the laboratory. Moreover, there are visiting PhD scholars who come over for research analysis training purposes. Last but never the least, the largest and the most enthusiastic body of lab participants are the UG and PG students, who attain trainings in experimental archaeology, participate in experiments and also do PG projects.

The laboratory engages in a wide a range of archaeological research. The prime focus of the research is on prehistoric lithic studies.The major areas that are researched under lithic studies, in the lab, are:

1) Stone Knapping & Fracture Mechanics
2) Technological & Cognitive Analysis of Lithic Tool Production
3) Experimental Research on Tool Functionality
4) Use-wear Analysis

Moreover, the laboratory also conducts phytolith research.

Ethno-archaeology, particularly focusing on the technological and functional aspects of artifacts and the tangible, intangible and symbolic behaviour is also a part of the lab research structure.

Furthermore, GIS and Quantitative Analysis are the two strong sub-domains of the lab.

The lab has three fully functional microscopes for lithic studies, along with the set up for phytolith researches.

Fundamentally, the lab has been structured in such a fashion that almost a holistic view of a prehistoric culture can be obtained in the lab, starting from the science behind technological production, application and function of those technological artifacts, understanding the eco-system, drawing ethno-archaeological analogies, corroborating the analysis and inference with quantified data and finally understanding the behaviour of the actors in the past, in all aspects possible. Principally, the lab aims to connect the dots and build logical and empirical bridges between experiments and theories, on past cultural systems.