The Science Branch of Archaeological Survey of India came into being in 1917 with the appointment of an Archaeological Chemist Mr. Mohd. Sanaullah Khan on 29th June 1917 with the principal duty of chemical treatment and preservation of museum-exhibits and other antiquities. A laboratory of Archaeological Chemist was established in the Indian Museum, Calcutta which was later shifted to Dehradun in 1921-22. With the expansion of the Survey, the scope and sphere of the activities of Archaeological Chemist also increased rapidly, and since the problem of chemical conservation of monuments required urgent solutions, the preservation of monuments soon became an important function of the Science Branch. After independence the activities of the Science branch of the Archaeological Survey of India expanded manifold due to adoption of centrally protected monuments and their chemical treatment and preservation as well as analytical studies of material heritage and comprehensive research work to study the causes of deterioration with a view to improve the state of the preservation of monuments.
The treatment strategies for cultural heritage are conceived according to the following principles:
- They must assure reversibility, i.e. if technically possible, use materials whose effect can be reversed.
- Not prejudice a future intervention whenever one may become necessary.
- Not hinder the possibility of later access to all evidence incorporated in the object.
- They must maintain authenticity, i.e. allow the maximum amount of existing historical material to be retained ensure harmony with original design and workmanship (in colour, tone, texture, form and scale).
- Do not allow new additions to dominate over the original fabric, but respect its archaeological potential, and meet the test of authenticity in design, material, workmanship or setting and in the case of cultural landscape their distinctive character and components.
The main activities of the Science Branch that fall under head CHEMICAL
PRESERVATION
- Chemical treatment and preservation of about 3650 centrally protected monuments including 19 centrally protected world heritage monuments.
- Chemical treatment and preservation of museum exhibits and excavated objects Scientific and technical studies as well as research on material heritage of different building material to study the causes of deterioration with a view to evolve appropriate conservation measures in order to improve the state of preservation of our built cultural heritage and physical heritage as well.
- Chemical conservation of monuments and heritage sites abroad.
- Technical assistance to state protected monuments as well as built cultural heritage under the control of trusts in the form of deposit works.
- To impart training on chemical conservation to the students of Post Graduated Diploma in Archaeology, from Institute of Archaeology, Red Fort, Delhi.
- To organize public awareness programme and workshops/seminars with regard to scientific conservation works.
List of Offices Functioning Under the Science Branch
A - HEAD QUARTERS
OFFICE & LABORATORIES
Director (Science)
Archaeological Survey of India,
29, New Cantt. Road,
Dehradun- 248001, Uttarakhand.
dirsci.asi@gmail.com
Tele fax 0135-2744966, 0135-2743108
Telephone No.0135-2744532
B - Divisional
Offices of Science Branch
1 - Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Bhubaneswar Division,
Puratattva Nivas, 4th Floor, Block-VI,
Toshali Apartment, Satyanagar,
Bhubaneswar 751007
Orissa
scibhu.asi@gmail.com
Tele Fax 0674-2575991
2 - Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Hyderabad Division,
Saibaba Nagar Colony,Sivam Road,
Hyderabad 500013 (A.P)
scihyd.asi@gmail.com
Tele Fax 040-27424151
Tele No. 2742191
3 - Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Indore Division,
CGO Building, 1st Floor,
‘A’ wing, A.B Road.
Indore 425 001 (M.P)
sciind.asi@gmail.com
Tele fax 0731-2495417
C - Zonal
OFFICES OF SCIENCE BRANCH
1. Deputy Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Agra Zone,
Inside Military Gate, Agra Fort,
Agra 282001 (U.P)
sciagr.asi@gmail.com
Tele Fax 0562-2263729
2. Deputy Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Auragabad Zone,
Bibi ka Maqbara,
Aurangabad 431004 (Maharashtra)
sciaur.asi@gmail.com
Tele Fax 0240-2400059
3. Deputy Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Chandigarh Zone,
Kendriya Sadan,
Sector9-A, Ground floor,
Chandigarh 160009
scicha.asi@gmail.com
Tele fax 0172-2741622
4. Deputy Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Chennai Zone,
Clive building, opp.-N.C.C Canteen
Fort St. George,
Chennai 600009 (Tamil Nadu)
sciche.asi@gmail.com
Tele fax 044 25672308
Tele 044-25671712
5. Deputy Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Delhi Zone
Red Fort, Delhi 110006
scidel.asi@gmail.com
Tele Fax 011-23272568
6. Deputy Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Jaipur Zone
71/130-32 Patel Marg. Mansarover,
Jaipur (Rajasthan).
scijai.asi@gmail.com
Tele Fax 0141-2784347
7. Deputy Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Mysore Zone,
2nd Floor Puratatva Bhavan,
4th Main Hebbal IInd stage
Near Sankranti circle,
Mysore 570017 (Karnataka)
scimys.asi@gmail.com
Tele fax 0821-2303781
8. Deputy Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Patna Zone
Block No.703.7th Floor
Loknayak Bhawan,
Dak Bunglow Chowk,
Fraser Road,
Panta 800001, Bihar
scipat.asi@gmail.com
Tele Fax 0612-2213194
9. Deputy Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Vadodara Zone,
4th Floor,”Puratatva Bhawan,
Near Central Library, Mandvi,
Vadodara 390006 Gujarat
scivad.asi@gmail.com
Tele fax 0265-2413055
10. Deputy Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Filed Laboratory,
Ajanta Caves, Fardapur 431138
Distt. Aurangabad, Maharashtra State
sciaja.asi@gmail.com
Tele Fax 02438-244234
11. Deputy Superintending Archaeological Chemist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Air Pollution Laboratory & Stone Conservation Laboratory
Inside Military Gate, Agra Fort,
Agra 282001 (U.P)
sciair.asi@gmail.com
Tele fax 0562-2254105
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