Lok Sabha Question No. 2227 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: Excavation Works in Oceans
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF CULTURE**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2227**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2015**

**SHRAVANA 12, 1937 (SAKA)**

**EXCAVATION WORKS IN OCEANS**

**2227. SHRI K. PARASURAMAN :**

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

| (a)   | whether the Archaeological Survey of India has conducted excavation works in oceans to find out the submerged ancient monuments;   |
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| (b)   | if so, the details thereof and the number of such excavation works conducted by the ASI during the last five years;                |
| (c)   | whether the Government has also allocated special funds for the projects relating oceanic excavation in the country; and           |
| (d)   | if so, the details thereof?                                                                                                        |

**A N S W E R**

**MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) AND MINISTER OF STATE, CIVIL AVIATION**

**(DR.  MAHESH SHARMA)**

| (a)  &  (b)   | Yes, Madam. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has carried out excavation in 2007 at Dwaraka in collaboration with Indian Navy and documented the submerged structural remains in the Arabian Sea.  In the forecourt of Dwarakadheesh temple, excavation was carried out over the natural bedrock which revealed-coins of copper, animal figurines of terracotta, sculptural and architectural fragments, bangles of shell, bone and glass, beads of stones and terracotta, rings, stones and variety of plain and decorated potsherds which seem to be of historical period.  Excavation was also conducted near-shore region southwest of Samudra Narayan temple and found wooden block from a submerged circular structure.  During the last five years Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has not conducted any exploration/excavation work in ocean.   |
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| (c)  &  (d)   | No, Madam. The funds for oceanic excavation are provided from general funds allocated for excavation and exploration to the Archaeological Survey of India.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|                   | No, Madam. The funds for oceanic excavation are provided from general funds allocated for excavation and exploration to the Archaeological Survey of India.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |