Kerala State Department of Archaeology is the archaeology department of the Government of Kerala. It had its origins in the Travancore State Archaeology Department which was started in December 1891. It forms a part of the Ministry of Culture.The department was formed in 1962 integrating the Travancore Archaeology Department and the Archaeological Research Centre of erstwhile Kochi. The main functions of the department includes publishing of volumes on stone inscriptions discovered from various places, copying of copper plate inscriptions, conducting excavations and explorations and measures to protect historical monuments dating back to 200 BC onwards which lies scattered in different parts of the state.