With fun-filled activities, city archaeologists teach students TN’s prehistory

Rock-art painting using colours made from natural sources, learning how to survive in the wild and finding ways to use flakes from prehistoric stone tools — these are just a few of the activities used by the researchers to impart the knowledge of Tamil Nadu’s prehistoric heritage to a bunch of eager students.

Their fun methods have even taken Tamil Nadu’s prehistory to Korea, where they participated in the 10th International Archaeological Heritage Education Expo during the Jeongok Prehistoric Festival hosted by the Yeoncheon county government at the Jeongokri Paleolithic site. “In South Korea, we had a huge stall where we interacted with children and parents in introducing them to Indian rock art, making and using stone tools, leather-craft and painting scenes from prehistory with traditional kolam/rangoli colours,” said Prof Pappu, founder of Sharma Centre for Heritage Education.

Akhilesh is a flint knapping expert, making prehistoric rock tools. During a series of workshops starting in June, now open to college students, he will demonstrate these rare skills at their centre in Sholinganallur here between 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

The themes include Stone Age, Rock Art in India, Early Farmers, Ancient Pottery, First Cities: Harappan Civilisation, Metal Magic and Fun with Fossils to name a few.

“It will include a comprehensive module, with an introductory talk followed by hands-on activities.

For instance, when they are learning about the Stone Age, Akhilesh will teach them how to take flakes for making tools and use. They will be taught how to survive in the wild, as the Homo erectus did. The workshops are open for children from six years of age,” said Prof Pappu, adding that the number of children attending their workshops have increased since they started the outreach activities in 1999.

The city-based archaeologists have been conducting multi-disciplinary research at Attirampakkam, the oldest Acheulean site in South Asia, since 1999.