Question : DEPOSITION OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL IN GOVT. MUSEUM, CHENNAI

(a) the details of the excavated materials deposited in Chennai Circle office as well as in the Government Museum, Chennai;

(b) whether the excavated materials brought to light from Tamil Nadu by the British archaeologists/officials during the pre-Independence period are still very much in the possession of ASI; and

(c) if so, the details of the disposal of the cultural equipments like pottery, terracotta objects, Iron and copper artifacts, stone objects received from the excavated sites in Tamil Nadu during pre-independence period?

MINISTER OF TOURISM & CULTURE (SHRI ANANTH KUMAR)

(a) The excavated materials from Kanchipuram, District Chingelpet, Gingee, District South Arcot, Ukkirankottai, District Tiruvelveli, Darasuram, District Thanjavur, Kaveripattinam, District Thanjavur, Auroville, District South Arcot, T. Kallaupatti, District Madurai, Kambermedu, District Thanjavur, Perur, District Coimbatore, and Mamallapuram, District Chengalpattu M.G.R. are preserved in the Chennai Circle Office of ASI and no excavated material is kept/displayed in the St. Fort George Museum of the ASI at Chennai.

(b) No, Sir.

(c) Question does not arise.