ASI terminates PAMA from Pattanam (Muziris) excavations
The Hindu
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has terminated the services of PAMA Institute for the Advancement of Transdisciplinary Archaeological Sciences - a non-profit research organisation which was e
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has terminated the services of PAMA Institute for the Advancement of Transdisciplinary Archaeological Sciences - a non-profit research organisation which was engaged in excavations at Pattanam and Mathilakam villages in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.
It had been reported earlier this year that the ASI will be a prominent partner in the 11th season of excavations that resumed at the two locales. The Pattanam excavations which were launched in 2006-07 had resumed in January 2020 after a five-year hiatus.
Responding to the termination of PAMA's services, its director P.J. Cherian said the reasons mentioned in the letter for the withdrawal of excavation license have no factual basis. "We have only used the ASI name and association in a genuine academic sense. Regarding internship fees, there is a factual error. PAMA don’t collect fees at all. We collect a registration amount meant to meet the expenses of accommodation, food and logistics."
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