Undergraduate Internships in Human Origins

Some of the most fascinating achievements in Science in recent decades are the definitive answers to long-puzzling questions of human origins using the application of sophisticated techniques from several scientific disciplines. This interdisciplinary area of research was recognized with a Nobel prize in 2022.
​SKET is proud to sponsor internships for motivated students who wish to explore this area, at the Sharma Centre for Heritage Education, Chennai, under the supervision of Prof. Shanti Pappu, and Dr. Akhilesh Kumar. In addition to introducing the interns to relevant theoretical background, there will be a strong emphasis on experimental aspects, such as hands-on flint knapping, analysis of stone tools using photogrammetry. Interns will be able to demonstrate their newly acquired competence by the end of the program by creating audio-visual material and exhibits.
​Interested students should apply directly to SCHE; all decisions about the internship will be made by SCHE, this trust has no role other than sponsorship. 

Some Background Information:
Note: It is a coincidence that this trust and the sponsored institution have a name in common; they however refer to different individuals!
Acknowledgements: Trustee Murali Sharma would like to thank Ms. Sharal Camisa, of the Leakey Foundation for introducing Ms. Pappu and the SCHE to him. He would also like to thank Dr. George Beccaloni of the Wallace Correspondence Project for emphasizing to him the importance and topicality of this area of research in India and Indonesia.

2023

In its inaugural year, SCHE was delighted to receive over a hundred applications, and interviewed over twenty five of the applicants. Most of the interviewees were very passionate about exploring human origins, and well qualified. Our resources however constrained us to awarding just two internships. We congratulate the two recipients, Riya Philip and Sagarika Sen.
Riya is studying for her Bachelor's in Mueseology and Archeology at the Assumption Autonomous College, Chenganaserry, and Sagarika studying Ancient Indian History, Culture, and Archaeology at Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan.
Picture
Dr. Akhilesh Kumar, Ms. Philip, Ms. Sen, and Dr. Prachi Joshi at SCHE. Riya and Sagarika are palpably excited at handling their first Homo Erectus artifacts!
Riya and Sagarika had their internship in June 2023. Introductory lectures to familiarize them with the required background on the Pleistocene and Lower Paleolithic were quickly followed by intense hands-on learning of stone tool knapping technologies, making actual hand-axes and scrapers, culminating in a field site visit to Attirampakkam, one of the most productive sites in India for this period. Both Riya and Sagarika highlight how much they learnt in such a short period, and both hope to become active researchers in this field.
Watch their summary of their internship at  www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXlmuvuN3kg .