Indian Rock Art Research Centre IIRNS, P.O. Anjaneri, Nashik, 422213, India rizaabbas@yahoo.co

1. Riza Abbas Project Officer Indian Rock Art Research Centre IIRNS, P.O. Anjaneri, Nashik, 422213, India rizaabbas@yahoo.co.in

2. Indian Rock Art Research Centre (IRARC) • IRARC is a division of Indian Numismatic Historical and Cultural Research Foundation and a sister division of Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies and Money Museum. • The basic aim of the Foundation is to establish, support and aid research activities in Numismatic, Epigraphy, Archaeology and Tribal Heritage of India. • The Foundation also supports a Money Museum, Photo Art Gallery and Showcases on Indian Prehistory, Art and Architecture at IIRNS Campus. • Indian Rock Art Research Centre is involved in scientific study and documentation of Indian rock art sites and monuments as well as ethnoarcheological studies. • IRARC also undertakes archaeological and archaeoastronomical projects in India.

3. Professional and Personal Gains from ITP • Enriched our knowledge of working of modern museums • Developed our understanding of investigative techniques • Acquaintance with other museum activities such as education and outreach programmes • Role of Exhibitions • Developed our confidence and skills while working with the objects • Established rapport with museum curators of different countries • Enhanced the scope of international collaboration of museums

4. ITP a Great Motivation for Achieving My Goals of Museum and Research Activities Plans for Exhibiting Permanent Galleries Based on Local Tribal Culture and Heritage in our Museum

5. Other Activities Digitisation of archival data Generating interest among the students towards the cultural heritage by organising courses in schools and colleges Collection of theme based material such as nomadic life, rural folk etc, from different parts of the country for setting peoples gallery at our Centre Acquisition of archaeological material from institutes and universities for display Plans for bi-annual exhibitions on local tribal custom and traditions

6. Hands on Courses for Understanding Stone Tools, Ceramics and Field Training in Archaeology Learners course in Archaeology

7. Our Engagements • Documentation of Rock Art in Rajasthan • Archaeoastronomical Project with TIFR • Theme Based Projects on Indian Rock Art • Documentation of Ancient Monuments • Survey and Exploration of Archaeological Sites • Practical Training Courses in Archaeology

8. Photo Archival Data Base • The Centre is Engaged in Creating Photo Archival Database on Indian Archaeology, Art, Monuments and Culture

9. Future Plans and Prospects • Expansion of Museum Building • More Archaeological Galleries • Peoples Gallery • Workshop Rooms and Conservation Lab. • Children Activity area • Expansion of Storage Facility • Research Based Projects • Outdoor Exhibitions on Local Tribal Culture in their Natural Surroundings

10. Future Collaboration • India has one of the richest cultural and archaeological heritage • This heritage has enormous scope for scientific documentation and study. • In the recent past our institute has made collaborations with various institutions to conduct archaeological research in India. • Our institute aims at collaborating with foreign museums, universities and other interested institutions to conduct museum based activities and archaeological research. • INHCRF welcomes ITP participants, UK Partner Museums and WCP to discuss and formulate plans for collaborations for carrying out exhibitions and archaeological research in India. Thanks