Dr. Tilok Thakuria

Designation: Associate Professor

Department: History and Archaeology

Area of specialization: 

  1. Proto-Historic Archaeology,
  2. Early Iron Age technology and archaeology of India
  3. Early Historic Urbanisation of eastern India
  4. Ethno-archaeology
  5. Archaeology and Cultural Studies of Northeast India

Award/Fellowship

  • Dr. Maliti Nagar Award of Ethnoarchaeology for the research on “An Ethno-archaeological study of Shell fishing and Lime manufacturing technique at Manikapatana, Orissa, India” by Indian Society of Pre-History and Quaternary Studies, at Lucknow 2010.
  • Junior Research Fellowship in 2007 by  Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi for the Project “Society and Economy during Early Iron Age and Early Historic period in Deccan with special reference to Beads (1000 B.C to 500 A.D.).

Academic Affiliation

  1. Life member of Indian Society for Prehistory and Quaternary Studies,
  2. Life member of North East India History Association
  3. Life member of International Association for Asian Heritage
  4. Life member of European Society for Art and Archaeology 

Publications

1. In English (Book)

  • 2019 (edited, with B L. Malla) Rock Art Heritage of Northeast India, IGNCA, New Delhi
  • 2019 (edited) Perspectives on Material Culture in Northeast India, Lakshmi Publisher, New Delhi
  • 2016    (with R. K. Mohanty) Indian beads: History and technology, Infinity Foundation and Indus University.

2. Articles

  1. 2022. (with S.S. Singh and T. Jamir). Preliminary Investigation on the Stone  Jar Sites at Dubungling, Dima-Hasao District, Assam, Puratattva 52:51-65
  2. 2022. (With M. Mitri, T. Jamir, Mepusangba, H. Syiemlieh, L. Darnei, and  L. Kharpuri). Recent research on the stone jars of Northeast India: Evidence from East Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, Archaeological Research in Asia 31:1-17
  3. 2022. (With U. Bathari and N. Sokpal). An Archaeological survey of the Assam stone jar sites, Asian Archaeology 5: 41-50
  4. 2021 (with U. Bathari). Stone Jars of Assam: Recent Discoveries, Man and Environment XLV(2): 76-86 (2020
  5. 2020 Typology and Commonality: A Survey on Megaliths of Vidarbha Megalithic Culture, Maharashtra, In The Archaeology of Burials: Examples from Indian Subcontinent (Eds. Rajesh S. V. Abhayan G. S. Ajit Kumar, Ehsan Rahmath Ilahi ), Vol-1: 71-85,  New Delhi: New Bharatiya Book Corporation     
  6. 2019  Stone Jars of Assam, Northeast India: A Comprehensive Overview, Journal of Neolithic Archaeology 5: 151-161
  7. 2019 The Beginning of Pre-historic Research in Northeast India and A Gazetteer of Pre-historic sites in Garo Hills, In Atulartham Bridging The Past: Essays in Honour of Professor Atul Kumar Sinha (Eds.Renu Shukla and Anup Mishra ) pp: 455-661, New Delhi: Anamika Publisher
  8. 2018.  (With R. K. Mohanty and S. Vaidya). Lathi: A fortified early Historic sites in Coastal Odisha, Journal of History and Culture 4:19-28
  9. 2017. Rock Engravings of Dima Hasao, Assam. In Cultural Ecology Prehistory and Ethnoarchaeological Context of Indian Rock Art (Eds. B. L. Malla and D. Bezbaruah), IGNCA and Aryan Book International, Chapter 6,p: 57-62
  10. 2017.  Society    and   Economy    during    Early    Historic    Period    in   Maharashtra: An Archaeological   perspective. Heritage: Journal of  Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, 5: 169-190.
  11. 2017.  (Mohanty, R. K., vaidya, S. Kharakwal, J.S. Sontakke, V.) The Early Iorn Age Megalithic Culture of Vidarbha in Border Perspective: A Pragmatic Observation. Shodha Patrika 68 (1-2): 21-51.
  12. 2016.(T. Jamir and M. Chauley) Report on Archaeological Investigation in North Cachar, Assam, Man and Environment 41:34-45
  13. 2015. Stone Jars of North Cachar: Archaeology of a Lost Folk. In Reflections on Science and Technology of Ancient India (Ed. O. C. Handa), Chapter-3, Indus-Infinity and Pantagon Publication, New Delhi
  14. 2015. (with R. K. Mohanty and P. P. Joglaker) Craft Specialization and socio-economic behaviour of the Megalithic People of Vidarbha, In Megalithic traditions in Ethnography and Archaeology in India (Eds. R. K. Mohanty, K. K. Basa and S. B.Ota), Vol-I:.188-203. IGRMS and Aryan Books International
  15. 2015.(with Ismail Kellellu, Chandra Shekhat Gupta, P.S. Meshram, P.M. Khobragade, Rabindra K' Mohanty and Tilok Thakuria) Recent Development in the Megalithic Research in Vidarbha: A Review, In Megalithic traditions in Ethnography and Archaeology in India (Eds. R. K. Mohanty, K. K. Basa and S. B. Ota), Vol-I:204-225.IGRMS and Aryan Books International
  16. 2014.Chronology of Vidarbha Megalithic Culture: an Appraisal, Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 2:651-657
  17. 2014. (with R.K. Mohanty) Early Iron Age Megalithic culture of peninsular and South India, In History of Ancient India: Vol-III: The Texts, Political History and Administration Till C. 200 B.C. (Eds: D. K. Chankarbarti and Makkhan Lal), pp.343-378, AryanPublisher and Vivekananda Centre, New Delhi.
  18. 2014. Hollowed Monoliths of North Cachar, Assam: Prospect for archaeology and Ethno-history, In After 51 Years of Excavation at Daojali Hading: Prospects of Archaeology in North East India (Eds. T. Jamir and M. Hazarika), Pp:243-249, Research India Press: New Delhi
  19. 2014.(with S. Ray and S. Vaidya) Early Historic Beads from Recent Excavations in Odisha, Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 2:802-809
  20. 2014. (with R. K. Mohanty et al ) Preliminary report of exploration at Golbai Sasan and the surrounding area, Dist. Khurda, Odisha, Bulletin of Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute 72-73: 153-166.
  21. 2013. (T. P. Padhan, R. K. Mohanty and M. L. Smith) Google Earth as an Archaeological Tool in the Developing World: An Example from India, Archaeological Record 13(1): 20-24.
  22. 2013.(R. K. Mohanty and M.L. Smith) Excavations at Sisupalgarh: The Northern Gateway and Activity Areas Outside the Rampart, Man and Environment 38(1):55-65.
  23. 2013.Shell Bangle Manufacturing in Coastal Odisha: A study of Surface Collection at Manikapatana, Journal of Indian Ocean Archaeology 9:23-34.
  24. 2013. Etched Beads and Etched Beads of Early Iron Age and Early Historic Period of Maharashtra, India, Asian Art and Culture: Research volume in Honour of Ananada Kumaraswam (Ed. A. Manatunge), pp: 257-267, Kelaniya: Center for Asian Studies,University of Kelaniya.
  25. 2012.(with R. K. Mohanty) Disappearance of Archaeological sites: a case study from the Vidarbha Megalithic Culture, Maharashtra, Kosala 5:228-234.
  26. 2012. Shell fishing and lime manufacturing at Manikapatana: an ethno-archaeological study, Man and Environment 37(2):89-101.
  27. 2011.(with J. K. Kharakwal, T. Osada and Y. S. Rawat) Memorial Stones of Gujarat, in Occasional Paper 10: 175-187, Kyoto Institute of Humanistic, Japan
  28. 2011.(with J. S. Kharakwal, Toshiki Osada and Y. S. Rawat) Memorial stones at Kanmer, Gujarat, India, Current Studies on the Indus Civilization (Eds. Toshiki Osada and Akinori Uesugi), pp: 175-187, Revised ed. New Delhi, Manohar Publishers & Distributors Ltd.
  29. 2010.(with R. K. Mohanty) A stone Bead Manufacturing centre in peninsular India: Preliminary study of manufacturing debitage from trench F of Mahurjhari excavations, Maharashtra, Tamil Civilization 23:15-38.
  30. 2010.Memorial Stones from Gujarat: study of Paliyas at Kanmer, Bulletin of Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute 68-69:179-190.
  31. 2009.Architectural Variations of the Vidarbha Megalithic Burials, Maharashtra, In Abhijnan: Studies in South Asian Archaeology and Art History of Artefacts (Felicitating A. K. M. Zakariah), (ed. Shanaj Husne Leena), pp:35-41, BAR series.

3. in Assames

  1. 2000. Chandra Kumar Agarwalar Kobitar Rup- baichitra, in Chandra Kumar AgarwalarKobitar Bad- baichitra, (ed. Dhurbajyoti Nath), Pp 70-76, Banolata Publication, Dibrughar,
  2. 1998. Rajanikanta Bordoliya Miri-Jeyari Rasanar Prarona KotPale, in Sivasagar CollegeMagazine, (ed. Monuranjan Buragohin), Pp 15-20, Sivasagar College.
  3. 1997. Sivasagar Colleger Asomiya Bivhagor Panchas Vasar, in Akhora (eds. Amarjoti Dutta and Jhanobi Konwar), Pp 1-3.
  4. 1996. Arunudait Praakashit Asomor Homohamoik Ghotonavalir Etihahik Guruta, in Golden Jubilee Issue of Sivasagar College Magazine (ed. Bikash Hazorika), Pp 82-88, Sivasagar College.

4. Conference papers

  1. International: 10
  2. National/Regional/Invited Lectures: 68

Field Experience

a. Excavations and Exploration

  1. Excavation at the Prehistoric site of Mishimagre, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya in 2017.
  2. Exploration at Dima-Hasao for Stone Jars in 2014 along with Archaeological Survey of India, Guwahati Circle
  3. Exploration at Dima-Hasao for Stone Jars in 2016 along with Archaeological Survey of India, Guwahati Circle
  4. Explorations and Documentation of Stone Jars at Dima-Hasao in 2020 on the invitation of Department of Culture, Autonomous Council, Dima-Hasao

b. As In-Charge and Supervisor of Explorations and Excavations

  1.  Participated in Excavation at Ambari (Assam) under Dr. Hari Chandra Mohanto of Dibrugarh         University in 1998- 1999
  2. Participated in Excavation at Kahale-Brahamapur (Maharashtra )under Dr. S.R. Walimbe of Deccan college, Pune in 2001-2002
  3. Participated in Excavation at Moregaon (Maharashtra) Under Dr. S. G. Deo and Dr. Sheila Misra of Deccan College, Pune in 2001-2002
  4. Trench supervisor in Excavation at Mahurjhari (Maharashtra), a project of Dr. R. K. Mohanty of Deccan College in 2003-2004
  5. An active member of the team in Megalithic Stone Circle reconstruction project in IGRMS at Bhopal under Dr. R. K. Mohanty in 2004.
  6. Trench supervisor in Excavation at Sisupalgarh (Orissa), a project of Dr. Monica Smith of University of California, USA and Dr. R. K. Mohanty of Deccan College, Pune in 2004- 05
  7. In- charge of Exploration and Pottery sorting work at Mahurjhari, a project of Dr. R. K. Mohanty, Deccan College, Pune from 9th to 25th Sep 2005
  8. Trench supervisor in Excavation at Sisupalgarh (Orissa), a project of Dr. Monica Smith of University of California, USA and Dr. R. K. Mohanty of Deccan College, Pune in 2005-06
  9. Trench supervisor in Excavation at Sisupalgarh (Orissa), a project of Dr. Monica Smith of University of California, USA and Dr. R. K. Mohanty of Deccan College, Pune in 2006-07
  10. Participated as supervisor in Excavation at Bhadravati, Chandarpur District, Maharashtra, A project by Nagpur University, Nagpur and State Department of Archeology, Maharashtra in 2007
  11. Participated in the excavations at Kanmer, Gujarat, A project of J. Kharakwal of Udaipur Vidypith, Rajasthan, Y.S. Rawat of Gujarat State Department of Archaeology, Gujarat and T. Osada of Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto, Japan.
  12. Trench supervisor in Excavation at Sisupalgarh (Orissa), a project of Dr. Monica Smith of University of California, USA and Dr. R. K. Mohanty of Deccan College, Pune in 2007-08
  13. Participated in the excavations at Sisupalgarh, (Orissa), a project of Dr. Monica Smith of University of California, USA and Dr. R. K. Mohanty of Deccan College, Pune in 2008-09
  14. Participated in Excavation at Pattanam, a project of Kerala Council for Historical Research, in 2009
  15. Participated in the excavations at Junnar (Maharashtra), a project of Dr. S. Jadav of Deccan College, Pune in 2009
  16. Participate in Excavation at Manikapatana, Orissa, A project of Dr. R. k. Mohanty and Dr. P.P Joglekar of Deccan College, Pune in 2010
  17. Participated in Excavation at Golobai Sasan (Odisha, a project of Dr. R. K. Mohanty and Dr. P.P Joglekar of Deccan College, Pune in 2011
  18. Participated in the excavations at Talapada (Odisha), a project of Dr. Monica Smith of University of California, USA and Dr. R. K. Mohanty of Deccan College, Pune in 2011
  19. Participated in the excavations and exploration at Mimi (Nagaland), a project of Dr. Tiatoshi Jamir, Nagaland University, in 2014

Seminar Organised

Organised 3 National Seminars

  1. Rock Art of Northeast India: Theoretical and Methodological Issues, in Collaboration
    with IGNCA, New Delhi in 2017
  2. Prospectives in Material Culture of Northeast India, in Collaboration with ICHR, New
    Delhi, in 2018
  3. Archaeology of Northeast India: Prospect and Retrospect, in collaboration with IGRMS,
    Bhopal, in 2019

Acedemic Foreign Tour

  1. Visited Institute of Archaeology, London on invitation from 14th to 23 rd September 2015 2. Visited Laos PDR on invitation to participate UNSCO conference on World Heritage of Stone Jars of Laos 2015
  2. Visited University of Kelaniya, Colombo, Srilanka in 2015
  3. Visited Cardiff University, UK in 2016
  4. Visited Laos PDR for archaeological tour in 2017
  5. Visited France to attend the Meeting of “Megaliths of the World” in 2019