Pleach Desk – Issue 25

Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Kailash Nath Dikshit, eminent archaeologist, passed away on 8 February 2026, leaving behind an enduring legacy in Indian archaeology.

India moves to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for Meghalaya’s living root bridges.

Shri T. M. Keshava, eminent archaeologist and Director of the Lakkundi excavations, has passed away, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Indian archaeology

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art to repatriate three early Tamil Nadu bronze sculptures to India.

ASI launches excavation at Iron Age burial site in Kamanur, Tamil Nadu

Government of India has announced the Padma Shri Awards 2026, honouring Buddha Rashmi Mani and Narayan Vyas for their contributions to archaeology.

ASI resumes excavation at Jagatgram, Uttarakhand after 70 years to trace historical evidence of a yajna platform.

ASI exploration reveals evidence of a 10,000-Year-Old Prehistoric civilization in Odisha’s Bhimmandali Hills.

ASI resumes excavation on the premises of Bhubaneswar’s Sukasari Temple, uncovering rare idols & architectural remains of a buried Shiva shrine.

Union Ministry of Culture announced private experts to assist ASI in heritage conservation.

Ireland’s largest Bronze Age hillfort discovered, offering new insights into prehistoric life & society.

ASI Mysuru Epigraphy Directorate begins digitisation of inscriptions to preserve heritage.

Lakkundi, Karnataka’s Chalukyan-era heritage site, is set to begin a new excavation phase in late November.

Egypt inaugurates the Grand Egyptian Museum, bringing 5,000 years of civilization and heritage to life.

10th century CE Chola era sculptures discovered at Kooteripattu in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu.

10th century CE Kadamba era Gajalakshmi sculpture discovered in the Valvanti River at Parye, Goa.

ASI launches first-ever excavation at Bhima Mandali cave site in Odisha to uncover its prehistoric past.

UNESCO launched the world’s first Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects at MONDIACULT 2025 in Barcelona.

12,000 Year Old Human Statue Unearthed at UNESCO Site Göbekli Tepe in Turkey

The 16th-century CE Vrindavani Vastra, made under the guidance of Srimanta Sankardev, is returning to Assam for an 18-month period in 2027.