Rakesh Kumar

About Rakesh

Rakesh Kumar, an Associate of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (ACIfA) with a PhD, brings 5+ years of academic and industry experience. Currently a Consultant— Archaeology at iCRC - PA - UK Environmental, WSP Global Inc. He has actively contributed to diverse national and international projects spanning rail, road, energy (hydroelectric cable, nuclear power plant, thermal power grids, and overhead cables), solar farms, housing infrastructure, mining, and the intangible heritage. His work has covered various regions, including the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France, India, and the African continent.

Rakesh holds a Ph.D. (Submitted) in Archaeological Anthropology from the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bengaluru, where he conducted research under the esteemed guidance of Prof. Sangeetha Menon, Dean, School of Humanities, Professor & Head, Consciousness Studies Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies and Prof. Vasant S. Shinde, CSIR Bhatnagar Fellow, CSIR‑Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad; Former Founding Director General, National Maritime Heritage Complex, Lothal; Former Vice‑Chancellor, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute.

Previously, Rakesh served as a Research Associate at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, where he led research focused on health, healing, and ethno-philosophy of health within tribal communities of Nilambur Valley, Kerala, from July 2018 to June 2022. His research interests span diverse areas, including Transition and Indigenous Health, Ethnography and Archaeological Anthropology, Complex System Modeling, Archaeological Informatics, and Landscape Development and Historic Environment Assessment.

Stay tuned for more updates on Rakesh Kumar's ongoing projects and endeavours.

Archaeologist, ACIfA

Research Interests

Archaeological Informatics (Digital Archaeology)
Archaeological Excavation
Landscape Development and Environmental Assessment
Desk Based Assessment
Ethnography and Archaeological anthropology
Landscape Development and Historic Environment Assessment

Academic Overview

National Institute of Advanced Studies, IISc Campus, Bengaluru, India

PhD, Archaeological Anthropology

December 2018 ‑ June 2023 (submitted)

Thesis title: Indigenous Knowledge of Healing Among the Tribes of Nilambur Valley, Kerala: A Study of Cross-Cultural Landscape Across Ethnic Boundaries.
Thesis Advisor:Prof. Sangeetha Menon, Dean, School of Humanities, Professor & Head, Consciousness Studies Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies.
Thesis Co-advisor: Prof. Vasant S. Shinde, CSIR Bhatnagar Fellow, CSIR‑Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad; Former Founding Director General, National Maritime Heritage Complex, Lothal; Former Vice‑Chancellor, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute.

Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, India

Masters of Arts in Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology

Aug'2016-Aug'2018

- - Dissertation title: Material Culture and Symbolism in Black Magic: A case study of Black Magic in Mayong, Assam, India.
  - Thesis Advisor: Prof. Vasant S. Shinde, CSIR Bhatnagar Fellow, CSIR‑Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad; Former Founding Director General, National Maritime Heritage Complex, Lothal; Former Vice‑Chancellor, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute.
  - Thesis Co-advisor: Dr. Shahida Ansari, Associate Professor, Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Pune .