Society for Archaeological and Anthropological Research

Two field research work carried out in the Siwalik Frontal Ranges of Punjab, financed by the Punjab Government, (1996-98 ; 2007 - 08). In 2005 the Society carried out excavation at a prehistoric site in the Hoshiarpur Siwalik Range in collaboration with the Department of Prehistory of the National Museum of Natural History of France. Since 2007 the Society has been carrying out field research at the Quranwala Zone around the village of Masol, district Mohali, Punjab, in collaboration with the Team of scientists of the National Museum of Natural History of France. The field exploration and excavation work is carried out with the permission of the Archaeological Survey of India. This joint research work has revealed important evidence regarding the hominid existence dating back to 2.6 Ma. The butchery marks observed on a few fossil bones and geological data was analysed jointly by the team of Society and the French team under an Agreement. In March 2016 the Science Academy of France published 10 research papers in their journal. An exhibition of these finds was organized in the Government Museum and Art Gallery at Chandigarh. On January 24, 2016, the honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and HH the President of France Mr Francois Hollade and his cabinet ministers visited this exhibition and appreciated it. The Society of Archaeological and Anthropological Research intends to develop the discipline of Prehistoric research in the north-western India.