Kanthaloor Salai: Applying Informatics for Survey, Excavation and Conservation of the Sites of Ancient University of South India Panicker Gowri S1, Singh Anand Kumar2 1Research Scholar, University of Kerala, Trivandrum 2Research Scholar, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Online Published on 22 January, 2024. Abstract India has a great tradition of higher education and research, which aimed integrated development of man. University of Takshasila flourished several centuries before its counterparts in Alexandria, Athens or Constantinople. Takshasila, Nalanda, Kanthaloor Salai and Vikramasila of ancient India had more impressive teaching and research programmes than in the west. Kanthaloor Salai of ancient South India conducted advanced courses on 61 systems of knowledge including Rasabandha, Rasayana, Dantakarma, Kayakarma, Lepykarma, Goldsmithy, Visahathantram, Paediatrics, Martial Arts, Jyothisa, Mantra, Yoga, Music, Dance, and Drama. But this center stands disregarded in educational history of India and archaeological sites except those of religious importance stands destroyed, or covered by water, earth or later development. This study traces its history, attempts to identify its sites, and makes recommendations for conservation of its remains in places where its campuses existed. As a survey or excavation will be strongly opposed by the local population who have their properties developed above the sites; authors suggest use of Informatics based tools like electrical resistivity tomography, satellite imagery, aerial photography, ground-penetrating radar, etc. for identifying the sites and structures without physical excavation and then proceed further by creating heritage awareness among the concerned people and with their cooperation and participation. Top Keywords Heritage Informatics, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Satellite Imagery, Aerial Photography, Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR), GIS, Remote Sensing, Surveying, Education, Kerala, Ancient India, Universities. Top |