Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology was started in 1961 to conserve and preserve ancient monuments in Tamil Nadu and to conduct excavations at historical sites. Subsequently, its activities were expanded to include epigraphy (copying and deciphering of stone inscriptions, printing and publishing them in book form), setting up site museums, chemical preservation of art objects, etc.The aim of the department is to showcase the rich heritage and glorious traditions of Tamil Nadu with its classical Tamil language, magnificent monuments, exquisite temples, art and sculpture and diversified traditions.
TSDA is a research department that disseminates knowledge about the ancient cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu through a combination of fieldwork, analysis, and publication. The Department has 8 Field Offices, 14 site museums, a library at the Head Office, the Government Oriental Manuscripts Library and Research Centre at Anna Centenary Library 7th Floor, Chemical Laboratories at Chennai and Madurai, a Printing section, besides the Institute of Epigraphy, which operates from the Head Office.