Bridging Science and Humanities: IIT Dhanbad’s Geoarchaeology Move
Dhanbad: In a pioneering step that unites science with the humanities, the Indian Institute of Technology, Indian School of Mines, (IIT-ISM), Dhanbad, has become the first IIT in the country to launch an open elective course in Geoarchaeology—a discipline that fuses geology, archaeology, ecology, and anthropology to explore humanity’s evolving relationship with the Earth.
The three-credit course, conceptualized by Prof. Deepak Kumar Jha from the Department of Applied Geology, will be offered from the upcoming winter semester to students across undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD levels. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the course promotes cross-disciplinary learning and aims to bridge the gap between Earth sciences and human history—an initiative hailed as a “long-overdue integration” in Indian higher education.
Backed by Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT (ISM), and Prof. Shushanta Sarangi, Head of the Department of Applied Geology, the course connects geological processes with the story of human civilization—how ancient landscapes and climates influenced human evolution and how humans, in turn, reshaped their environment.
Blending traditional archaeological techniques such as excavation, sampling, and artefact analysis with cutting-edge tools like biomarker and isotope analysis, geomorphological mapping, and digital surveying, the program offers a hands-on, research-oriented learning experience.
Prof. Jha said the course “equips students to connect deep history with present-day environmental questions,” adding that it will feature expert lectures by leading archaeologists and Quaternary geologists. The series, dedicated to the late Prof. S. N. Rajaguru, pioneer of Geoarchaeology in India, will explore case studies from both India and abroad.
The initiative has drawn wide acclaim from experts across the country.
Prof. Sheila Mishra (formerly of Deccan College) called it “a much-needed effort” to strengthen research on human prehistory in the Indian subcontinent—an area she said has been “minuscule in relation to its global importance.”
Dr. Parth Chauhan (IISER Mohali) and Dr. Tosabanta Padhan (Nalanda University) noted that Geoarchaeology “uniquely bridges geology and archaeology” and will help students grasp India’s cultural heritage through scientific perspectives while engaging in field and lab-based studies.
Emeritus Prof. S. K. Tandon (Delhi University) described it as “a timely initiative bridging Earth sciences and archaeology—from early Palaeolithic phases to Anthropocene debates.”
Prof. Prasanta Sanyal (IISER Kolkata) and Prof. Hema Achyuthan (Anna University) praised its strong scientific focus on micromorphology, biomarkers, and isotopic techniques to decode ancient diets, migrations, and climate change.
With this launch, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad reinforces its position as a trailblazer in NEP 2020 implementation, promoting multidisciplinary collaboration among engineers, scientists, and social researchers. The course not only redefines the academic landscape but also offers a vital lens to understand how Earth’s past can guide a more sustainable future.
