Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology offered one year Post Graduate Diploma in Epigraphy and Archaeology from the year 1974. Now, the name of the Institute is renamed as Institute of Archaeology and the duration of the Diploma course has changed to two years to cater the renewed interest in Archaeology and Heritage in our State.

The syllabuses which are to be followed from the year 2020-2021 are framed on par with the syllabuses of University Grants Commission. The students are to be trained along with practical sessions utilizing the expertise of national and international scholars. The aim of the Institute is to provide qualitative education will collaboration of reputed Institutions of India.

A sum of Rs.5,000/- is to be paid as stipend to each student every month (from 2020-2021 onwards)

So far,  256 students have received Post-Graduate Diploma in this Institute.

Eligibility Criteria - Qualification:

Any Master Degree in Arts / Sciences / Engineering passed with minimum of 55% marks

Basic Languages:

Tamil & English

Mode of Enrollment:

Yearly, second week of July, an advertisement is given in the Tamil and English Newspaper. Students will be selected through a written test as well as interview held during the last week of July.

Duration of the Course:

Two Years

Contents of the Course:

Papers like Introduction to Archaeology / Archaeology : Principles and Methods / Human Evolution and Prehistoric Archaeology / Beginning of Agriculture and Proto-historic Archaeology / Political History of India (6th century BCE to 16th century CE) / Historiography and Research Methodology / Indian Epigraphy and Palaeography / North Indian Architecture / South Indian Architecture / Indian Numismatics and Museology /| Heritage Management and Conservation – Indian Antiquarian Laws / Society and Economy in Ancient India / Indian Iconography / Political History of Tamil Nadu (6th century BCE to 16th century CE) / Marine Archaeology / Application of Sciences in Archaeology / Ancient Science and Technology etc., are dealt in this course.

Course Completion:

Apart from conducting written exams, the students are to be trained with practical in the field like archaeological explorations and excavations, epigraphy and numismatics, archaeological conservation, documentation and display of antiquities, public archaeology, digital archaeology and finally a detailed project work will be assigned to each student at the end of the course.