Syllabus for PGDA

HISTORY AND PRINCIPLES OF CONSERVATION

1. History of archaeological conservation

2. General principles and guidelines for conservation and preservation of
(a) monuments / sites and excavated remains in India
(b) historic gardens

3. Guiding principles for conservation / preservation of monuments as per international conventions

4. Role of Archaeological Survey of India in the preservation of monuments in India and abroad

5. Salvaging and transplantation of monuments

6. Reconstruction and restoration of monuments

7. Projects execution of conservation of important monuments

8. Preservation and environmental development

9. Importance of knowledge of archaeology, civil engineering, art and architecture for conservation of monuments

10. Exposure to indigenous practices / techniques and treatises (eg. manasara, agamas, etc)

11. Distribution of monuments in different geographical / seismic zones and their conservation problem

MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES

1. Stone: classification, quarries, selection, specifications, defects, types of masonry, techniques of jointing and pointing

2. Brick: types, kilns, material composition, techniques of manufacturing, characteristics, specifications, bonding and laying, coloured tiles and ceramics

3. Wood: structure of timber, seasoning, defects and treatment, use in buildings, causes of decay and remedies

4. Metals and alloys: definition of terms, iron ores, manufacture of iron, different types of iron steel and their use in building, protection of metals against corrosion

5. Non-ferrous metals: copper, lead, zinc, tin and gun metal

6. Concrete: Lime and cement concrete, their composition and use in building, reinforced cement concrete, water proofing, deterioration of concrete and repairs, surface treatment with concrete, shot concrete (guniting)

7. Mortar: definition of mortar, types of ancient mortar and concrete, lime mortar, its composition and specifications, cement mortar, its composition and specifications, lime-cement (compo) mortar, mud mortar, special mortar for inlay and marble work, synthetic mortars, resins and their uses as adhesives and consolidants

SCAFFOLDING

1. Types of scaffolding, temporary supports, propping and strutting, centering, shoring, timbering of deep trenches, providing of chutes, safety measures

FOUNDATIONS

1. Definition of foundation and footing

2. Foundations in ancient buildings

3. Types of foundation

4. Typical failures of foundation

5. Consolidating and strengthening of foundations

6. Water proofing

INSPECTION OF MONUMENTS

1. The purpose of periodical inspection

2. Studying the problems of conservation and preservation and drawing of conservation notes

3. Study of crack patterns

4. General assessment, such as administrative problems and security measures

CONSTRUCTIONAL MEMBERS (PILLARS, BEAMS, ARCHES, DOMES AND VAULTS)

1. Grouting by pressure and gravity

2. Pointing, types of pointing

3. Underpinning

4. Rock bolting, filleting and edging

5. Inlay work

6. Stucco work

7. Tile work

8. Glass work / mirror work / stained glass work

9. Monitoring of cracks (tell-tales and strain gauges)

10. Plastering (walls and ceilings), lathing, packing with lime concrete and surface treatment, water tightening the tops, purity of water

11. Conservation of excavated remains

12. Use of dowels

13. Rising damp / penetrating damp / water drainage

ESTIMATING AND COSTING

1. Special repairs estimate

2. Annual repairs estimate

3. Original works estimate

4. Supplementary and revised estimates

5. Schedule of rates and analysis of rates

6. Engineering appreciations

7. Conservation policy and planning

8. Administrative problems and logistics

CASE STUDY OF MONUMENTS

ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORKS CODE AND CONSERVATION MANUAL

PRACTICAL

1. Preparation of conservation notes (history, architecture, building materials, problems, remedial measures to be adopted)

2. Practical training in

(i) testing of building materials in the field and laboratory
(ii) quarrying and selection of raw material
(iii) preparation of mortars
(iv) construction of stone and brick masonry
(v) chiselling and dressing of stones
(vi) laying of concrete
(vii) plastering
(viii) underpinning
(ix) pointing
(x) filleting
(xi) edging
(xii) grouting
(xiii) guniting
(xiv) inlay work