Department of Epigraphy The Department of Epigraphy deals with the study of inscriptions and copper plates. It is actively engaged in excavating archaeological sites in various parts of Tamil Nadu with the aim of highlighting the culture and civilization of South India. Excavations made so far include the one at Vallam (1984) and another at Periyapattinam in 1987. The excavated items of the latter, a mediaeval minor port on the shore of Bay of Bengal,establishes the maritime contact of Indians especially the Tamils with the Chinese, in the past. Apart from identifying hundreds of archaeological sites, the Department has collected 100 copper plates and discovered nearly 500 inscriptions in Tamil Nadu. Various projects are funded by the UGC, ICHR, INSA, CSIR and Nehru Trust - the National level research organisations of India. Scholarly interaction of the faculty continues to exist with foreign Universities in Japan, U.K., France and Sri Lanka. Academic activities include research programmes leading to Ph.D and M.Phil besides a facility for P.G Studies in History and Archaeology. Even since the inception of the Department, Aavanam , a Tamil Annual is published by the Department with financial assistance from the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi.

Other Departments in Manuscriptology Department of Palmleaf Manuscriptology Department of Rare Paper Manuscriptology Department of Underwater Archaeology Centre