India, Feb. 13 -- In a rare sight, subject experts from universities across India were seen huddled in small groups to prepare a presentation about their day's learnings at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) on Thursday. They had to reflect on how different ancient civilizations -- from India, Iran, Egypt and other regions -- looked like; what was their natural environment; the kinds of materials available at the time in their respective geographies and how they used them to build their homes and cities.

The 26 historians, archaeologists, art historians, coin experts, from across 24 universities including University of Mumbai; D D Kosambi School of Social Sciences and Behavioural Studies, Goa; Ashoka University, S...