K. Paddayya

Dr. K. Paddayya, Emeritus Professor of Archaeology and former Director of Deccan College (Deemed University) in Pune, is widely known for his innovative contributions to Indian archaeology spanning four decades and a half. His prolonged field investigations in the Shorapur Doab of North Karnataka, including major excavations at Hunsgi, Yediyapur, Isampur and Budihal, have enabled reconstruction of both Palaeolithic and Neolithic cultures from a settlement system perspective. Professor Paddayya’s contributions to archaeological theory and method are also widely acclaimed. His major publications include Investigations into the Neolithic Culture of the Shorapur Doab, South India (1973), The Acheulian Culture of the Hunsgi Valley, Peninsular India – A Settlement System Perspective (1982) and New Archaeology and Aftermath: A View from Outside the Anglo-American World (1990). He held a Fulbright Senior Resarch Fellowship and was also a FulbrightVisiting Lecturer. Professor Paddayya is an Honorary Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries(London) and was honoured with the title Padma Shri by the Govt. of India in 2012 for his contributions to archaeology.