The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) – workshop at Chennai from October 31st to November 2nd 2023 (4)

The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities  (NMMA) – workshop at Chennai from October 31^st to November 2^nd 2023 (4)

The CAG Report and the response of the ASI: On 02-11-2023, after lunch Dr Charuta Kulkarni, IIT, Madras talked about her subject, as detailed above. Then, the certificates were distributed to the participants and mementoes were given to some. Now, I discuss about some issues involved in the documentation of monuments and antiquities. As I worked in the GST (formerly Customs, Central Excise, Narcotics – indirect taxation) department, mostly in the Judicial, adjudication and legal sections for more than 38 years from 1980 to 2018, the CAG Reports on the various departments, institutions and others were periodically read, along with the judgments. Here, before coming to the workshop, I have read the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India Follow-up on the Performance Audit of Preservation and Conservation of Monuments and Antiquities. The issues related to the documentation, workshop conducted etc., were pointed out therein.

The NMMA caught in the web of politics: The National Monuments Authority (NMA) has released draft heritage bye-laws for the supposed site of the Palace of Asoka in Patna, Bihar. The site, located in the Kumrahar area, is being protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The draft bye-laws aim to conserve and develop the site and have been released based on a field survey conducted by the competent authority. The NMA is responsible for the protection and preservation of monuments and sites, as well as granting permissions for construction-related activities in the prohibited and regulated areas. The Congress party has accused the Modi government of attempting to weaken a law that protects monuments and archaeological sites in India. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh praised the National Monuments Authority (NMA) for releasing draft heritage bylaws for the conservation and development of protected monuments in Bihar. Ramesh stated that the Congress and other parties have successfully resisted the government’s attempts to weaken the law so far. He also emphasized the need to strengthen and maintain the professional character of the NMA.

2015 to 2022 no workshop conducted: The CAG pointed out that, “Since March 2015, no workshop was held to facilitate documentation work, rectify mistakes or to provide clarification to agencies involved in the process. As a result, there was absence of a system for regularly up-grading the technical capability of executing agencies, which affected the work process.”

The documentation process carried on by NMMA: The CAG  pointed out the lacunae in the documentation of the monuments[1].

NMMA has given these figures to the CAG.

Issue of “Non-antiquity” certificates by the ASI: ASI (respective circle) issues a certificate of non-antiquity for the exportof art-objects, arms. Here, who issues such certificate, after analyzing the “non-antiquity” nature of te object. Otherwise, millions of Indian antiquities would not have been illegally exported out 0f India after 1947 or 1976.

2. To facilitate Custom Authorities in allowing non-antiquities to be exported, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has established Expert Advisory Committees to issue non-antiquity certificates.

India’s rich cultural heritage, bureaucratic apathy and poor implementation of antiquities protection law has made India a fertile ground for loot and smuggling of antiquities for sale in the International market. In recent years, there has been growing concerns over antiques being smuggled and sold to fund terrorists’ activists.

According to the Antiquities (Export Control) Act, 1947 [Act No. 31 of 1947]  – “antiquity” includes-

(i) any coin, sculpture, manuscript, epigraph, or other work of art or craftsmanship,

(ii) any article, object or thing detached from a building or cave,

(iii) any article, object or thing illustrative of science, art, craft literature, religion, customs, morals or politics in bygone ages,

(iv) any article, object or thing declared by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette to be an antiquity for the purposes of this Act,

Provenance (origin, attribution, derivation) includes the list of all owners from the time the object left its maker’s possession to the time it was acquired by the current owner. However, here in the workshop, it is taken as “Province”!

Most of the exports of antiquities take place from north India from airports: According to Section 2(1) (a) of the Antiquities and Art Treasurers Act, an antique is defined as an article or object of historical interest that has been in existence for not less than one hundred years.

The import and export of antiques is covered by the prohibition imposed under Section 11 (c) of the Customs Act 1962, specifically referred to as The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972.

Similarly, exports are also under the prohibition category. The export of antiques can only be done by the central government or any authority or agency authorised by the central government.

 The law does not permit any private person to export antiques. If any private person exports antiques, there are penal provisions to confiscate the material and impose monetary penalties or prosecute the person.

Port	Location	Value (INR Million)
Pakwra	Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh	34..567
Kolkotta Air cargo	West Bengal	27.151
Nhava Sheva sea[2]	Raigad district, Maharashtra	20.475
Mundra[3]	Gulf of Kutch near Mundra, Kutch district, Gujarat.	11.141
Chennai sea	Tamilnadu	7.381

The ASI blaming the Customs department: When Arun Raj said that the Customs department was not co-operating, I pointed out that it is not that the Customs department did not cooperate with the ASI officials, but, the ASI officers only many times did not turn up, when they were requested to come and identify the objects of antiquity were seized at the airports. Moreover, they have to go by the certificates issued by the ASI only and in many cases, the Customs officers could get genuine doubt that older antiquities were taken out of India, instead of recent artefacts. Sreelakshmi responded that the ASI officers were asked to verify the import of Indian artefacts. Then, I clarified that it was different, because, the art-smugglers had been adopting a modus operandi, as if such antiquities were imported legally so that they could again export. That is why they sought the help of the ASI for the identification of the objects[4].  There have been several reports urging the ASI to co-ordinate with the RI, Customs etc., but, they are not doing so[5]. As the certificates issued by the ASI are / have to be relied upon and whenever, the Customs officers have any doubt about the object for antiquity, they used to seek the help of the ASI officers, but, they hesitate to come.  The famous VJA Flynn case also pointed out by me[6]. Here, VJA Flynn had contacts with many historians and archaeologists, but, caught red-handed in smuggling artefacts out of India[7].

The illegal import and export of Tipu Sultan’s sword: The classic case of Vijay Mallya in 2005, imported Tipu Sultan’s famed sword to India and exported it without any license[8]. Mallya was served a show cause notice by the Customs Department for exporting without informing the government, and not paying the duty for it[9]. However, the tycoon felt that since the sword was a matter of national pride, he should have been exempted. Thus, the provisions of the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972, have been amended to do away with several lacunae in the Act, commonly recognised as the Customs Act. As per the Act, any private buyer that buys an antiquity of Indian origin and brings it to India must first acquire a license. This is granted on the basis of several factors, including the experience of the person in the art trade, the place of exchange of the art object, the name and the number of people involved, etc. Domestic trade of antiquities is currently unregulated, as the Act is silent on it. The statutory authority of the Act is usually the Director General of the ASI, who decides what an antiquity or art treasure is. As per Section 2 of the Act, any coin, sculpture, painting, epigraph, artwork, object from a building or cave and object of historical interest that is over one hundred years old, is defined as an antiquity. In circle offices of the ASI around the country, where the DG is usually not present, the Act cannot be implemented by any officer below the position of a director. “Yet, several circle officers have been flouting the rule, declaring several antiquities as invalid leading to the thriving of the smuggling of art objects,” said the official.

All departments of GOI should work together: The CAG has been part of the GOI and all other departments also have been parts of GOI. The CAG has been auditing the accounts of different departments and trying to advise to implement the Act and Rules under which they work. All have been working with the Public Finance and the government is responsible to account for every rupee that collected from the citizens. As our country has been handling more than 100 crores population, now 140 crores, we have more responsibility than other countries with less population. Moreover, our government and democratic polity have been so open that everybody can appreciate and criticize also, unlike other countries. Thus, the ASI has been having the most noble duty, virtuous responsibility and righteous accountability in handling thousands of years of monuments and temples; sculptures and coins; palaces and buildings; ghats, and others. It can invite the officers of the other departments for discussion to sort out the practical problems. After all should work for the progress and development of our country creating awareness about culture, tradition, heritage and civilization.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

05-11-2023

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[1] Report No. 10 of 2022; https://cag.gov.in/uploads/download_audit_report/2022/Chapter 6-062f0de36c49e05.39285992.pdf

[2] Jawaharlal Nehru Port, also known as JNPT and Nhava Sheva Port, is the second largest container port in India after Mundra Port. Operated by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust Authority (JNPTA), it is located on the eastern shores of Arabian Sea in Navi Mumbai, Raigad district, Maharashtra.

[3] Mundra Port is India’s first private port (adani) and largest container port, located on the northern shores of the Gulf of Kutch near Mundra, Kutch district, Gujarat.

[4] Press Release dated 24-07-2023, Three Hundred Forty Eighth Report on the subject „Heritage Theft – The Illegal Trade in Indian Antiquities and the Challenges of Retrieving and Safeguarding Our Tangible Cultural Heritage,” Sansad News.

[5]https://sansad.in/getFile/rsnew/Committee_site/Committee_File/Press_ReleaseFile/20/173/656P_2023_7_12.pdf?source=rajyasabha

[6] K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, Historians involved in smuggling also – The historical case of Prof. V.J.A. Flynn, a friend of many Indian historians – arrested for smuggling, jailed and deported to Australia for further proceedings!, February 17, 2022.

[7] https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2022/02/17/the-historical-case-of-prof-v-j-a-flynn-a-friend-of-many-indian-historians-arrested-for-smuggling-jailed-and-deported-to-australia-for-further-proceedings/

[8] DNA India, ASI for easier norms for private import of antiquities, Amrita Madhukalya, Updated: Nov 02, 2016, 07:05 PM IST.

[9] https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-asi-for-easier-norms-for-private-import-of-antiquities-2269587

The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) – workshop at Chennai from October 31st to November 2nd 2023 (3)

The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities  (NMMA) – workshop at Chennai from October 31^st to November 2^nd 2023 (3)

The third day proceedings of the NMMA Workshop for the Southern Region: The following speakers delved upon their respective topics and specialized areas. Though, the topic has been documentation of the objects, the speakers mostly discussed about their findings with their valuable experience with important points.

• Prof. Deivanayagam, Tamil University , Thanjavur
• Shri Nishant Zodape and Shri Yash Gupta, on utilisation of open-source software for creating databases,
• Dr. Muthu Shankar, Head of GIS Applications, French Institute, Pondicherry ,
• Dr Arun Raj.T on strategies for stopping illicit trafficking of antiquities” and ultimately
• Dr Charuta Kulkarni, IIT, Madras talking about INQUA Database on Global South

Prof. Deivanayagam, Tamil University, Thanjavur: speaking on identification of Chola Bronzes. He explained with photographs pointing out the nuances of the bronzes. To understand his speech, one should know other subjects also, as because of his versatile experience, he explained many details about the icons and sculptures.

Cholas’ bronzes: Chola bronzes were typically of deities, royalty and the politically powerful people of the day-all in a distinctive Chola style, classically representative of the human form, and perfectly proportioned. The sculptures are recognizable by the way the bodies are posed. They are always graceful, elegant and sensuous, particularly if a sculpture is that of a couple, such as Siva and Parvati. The bronzes also depict the “mudras” or gestures derived from classical dance. Chola master sculptors created their works with the cire perdue, or lost wax process, which is still in use today.

There are two methods of casting metal images-solid and hollow casting. The required image is fashioned by the stapathi in bees wax. Then the wax model is given several coats of fine clay. The clay mould is then carefully dried under the sun. After a few days the clay mould is ready for casting. When the wax model is prepared and is ready for the preparation of the clay mould, arrangements for the preparation of the alloy are made. The five metals to be used in the alloy and they are -copper, silver, gold, brass and lead popularly known as panchaloha. In actual practice by chemical testing we have found the percentages of the metals as follows:

How manufactured – alloying technique[1]: Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Normally bronze is a composite alloy of metals-copper, tin, lead, silver and gold in varying proportions. However analysis of South Indian bronzes reveals that they invariably consist of copper, tin, lead, zinc and iron. Trace elements such as arsenic, antimony, Bismuth etc., have been detected. Above l% is considered as a major element and below 0.1% is considered a trace element, e.g. Copper: 79%: Tin 5%, Lead: 13% Zinc 1%; Iron 1%; Trace elements arc arsenic, antimony, nickel and silver and no gold is Present. Manipulating the alloying elements, different shades of metal were produced. This shows tin has been used. Therefore, the alloy is predominantly of copper, tin and lead. The presence of gold and silver is rare or trace. The clay mould with the wax model inside it is baked skillfully over all the wax. When the alloy is ready, it is poured through the orifice into the empty mould in a thin, even and continuous stream. The molten metals allowed for cooling. Then the mould is broken open and the solid metal image is obtained. The image is given finishing touches by the sthapati. This part, the opening of the eyes of the image is what imparts the exquisite expressions on the faces. This is done under some sort of spiritual inspiration. Sometimes, Stapathis are known to take even weeks to open the eves. The science of Image making is dealt with in the ancient Indian science of Silpasastra (Sculpture Science).

Hollow casting- In this case, the object is moulded in clay and the core is coated with wax, which in turn is covered with a coating of clay. After draining the wax by heating, the mould is used for casting. This method is usually associated with North India.

Patina and patination: A Patina is a thin layer of corrosion, usually brown or green, that appears on copper or copper alloys as a result of natural or artificial oxidation. Patina is a thin layer that variously forms on the surface of copper, brass, bronze and similar metals and metal alloys (tarnish produced by oxidation or other chemical processes).On metal, patina is a coating of various chemical compounds such as oxides, carbonates, sulfides, or sulfates formed on the surface during exposure to atmospheric elements (oxygen, rain, acid rain, carbon dioxide, sulfur-bearing compounds. The green patina that forms naturally on copper and bronze, sometimes called verdigris, usually consists of varying mixtures of copper chlorides, sulfides, sulfates and carbonates, depending upon environmental conditions such as sulfur-containing acid rain.

Nishant Zodape and Yash Gupta: They explained “on utilization of open-source software for creating databases”. With “access” how the excel can be used for filling up data and create a document.

 Muthu Shankar: He explained about the “South Indian Historical Atlas” with many facilities, but, it is not available to the public. The primary data for the project comprise historical and geographical information collected from a large corpus of south Indian inscriptions besides archaeological data collected from a series of field surveys supplemented with the data taken from archaeological reports of ASI and other institutions.   Workshop/review meetings were held every six months are to evaluate the progress of the work. The atlas was developed as web-browser software allowing different basic GIS display and database querying functionalities necessary for a user-friendly usage of the Atlas. It uses W3C (WWW Consortium) compliant Graphics /Open GIS so that the system can be accessed through the internet. The atlas has a conceptual resilience on how to curate data, compile information from it, and disseminate it through new digital tools available then, even when illustrative examples in the application of data science mehods in historical research was scarce. This resulted in the curation and archival of historical data sets that encourage data-driven inquiries into the past, while integrating data, computational science methods into historical research.

T. Arun Raj, director NMMA, Noida: Talked on “strategies for stopping illicit trafficking of antiquities.” Perhaps, next to Pramod Joglekar, he directly discussed the issue with examples. He pointed out how Alexander Cunningham used to travel on a donkey visiting archaeological and ancient places for collecting details. The ASI at present listed 3697 monuments as protected. He pointed out how the Delhi Iron pillar was brought to the present place and Rajendra Cholas brought sculptures as “war trophy” to Thanjavur. Alexander Rae and others carried on excavations even before the formation of ASI and collected many objects. He left some at Egmore Museum and others were taken to London. Even now, the ASI is struggling to deal and store the smuggled artefacts returned back to India. In Trichy, the sculptures have been lying there for more than 20 years, which were recovered. Though HR & CE recorded more than 36,000 temples and quantified 9,000 bronzes many others appear to be not accounted. However, for the export of antiquities, thousands of applications are filed with the ASI, Chennai and they are pending. Nealy more than 20,000 applications have been pending, because, there are no expert persons to identify the objects mentioned in the applications as “less than 100 years” or not. Thus, the crucial problem comes here. Once the certificate is given, the antique object would go out of India legally. He pointed out that unlike Sri Lanka, India does not have “Heritage Police,” and hence, the illegal export / smuggling out of the antiquities have been going on. He also pointed out as how a lesson has been included in the CBSE syllabus to adopt a monument nearby school, so that awareness is created not only among the school children, but also the public living surrounding the monument.

Dr Charuta Kulkarni, IIT, Madras: Talking about INQUA Database on Global South[2], she explained related issues. Stemming from the PAGES-INQUA supported early-career researcher workshop on “Past Socio–Environmental Systems (PASES)” (pastglobalchanges.org/calendar/26972) in 2020, the INQUA-funded project “The whole is not the sum of the parts: building a synthesis database of past human–environmental systems in the Global South (pSESYNTH)” has initiated research collaborations among paleoscientists from, and/or working on, the Global South and other underrepresented regions of the world (e.g. Australia, Southeast Europe). Pursuing the Integrated, Coordinated, Open, and Networked (ICON) approach (Koren et al. 2022), the overarching goal of pSESYNTH is to establish, articulate and strengthen regional, interdisciplinary teams for studying past socio–environmental systems of the Global South, and to build the first multi-disciplinary paleo database representing its regions.

pSESYNTH primarily focuses on the Holocene (the last 11.7 kyr) because: (i) there is greater spatial availability and better chronological controls of the datasets compared to the Pleistocene, and (ii) the Holocene is characterized by a progressive degree of anthropogenic influence over landscapes, offering ways to explore the evolution of diverse socio–environmental systems. Under the pSESYNTH framework, linking proxies of environmental change with climatic signals and societal processes (e.g. subsistence strategies, growth rates, migrations) will provide baselines to pose and test multiple hypotheses for explaining the trajectories of socio–environmental systems. Specifically, pSESYNTH activities are being developed around three main objectives.

To explore drivers of past environmental change combining a diverse set of proxy information, organized into three themes: paleoecology (e.g. pollen, charcoal, diatoms), paleoclimatology (e.g. biomarkers, stable isotopes, varves, numerical simulations), and archaeology (e.g. radiocarbon dates, phytoliths, archaeobotanical remains, material culture).

2) To quantitatively analyze the links among paleoecology, paleoclimatology and archaeology, with an emphasis on research questions that can be generic across the Global South (e.g. are there connections, or commonalities, between colonial legacies and the evolution of socio–environmental systems in the Global South?) or specific to each subregion (e.g. at what spatial and temporal scales were human–environmental systems coupled or uncoupled to climatic fluctuations?).

3) To share the outputs and products of the project in the form of a database that meets the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) principles (Wilkinson et al. 2016). pSESYNTH participants will capitalize on existing single- and multi-themed databases (e.g. Neotoma, NOAA, PANGAEA, p3k14c, ArchaeoGlobe) in complementing their data contributions in the novel Global South database. Together, the FAIR–ICON principles will underpin the database organization and will ensure geographic coverage, comparability, and accessibility for time-series data synthesis, which is crucial for mainstreaming paleoscience research from the Global South.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

04-11-2023

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[1] T. S. Sridhar (ed.), The Cholas Bronzes – 1000^th anniversary of Thanjavur Big Temple celebrations Sept 25^th to Oct.4^th 2010, The Tamilnadu State Archaeology Department, Chennai, 2011, pp.12-13.

[2] Charuta Kulkarni and others, pSESYNTH project: Community mobilization for a multi-disciplinary paleo database of the Global South, https://pastglobalchanges.org/publications/pages-magazines/pages-magazine/137240

The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) – workshop at Chennai from October 31st to November 2nd 2023 (2)

The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities  (NMMA) – workshop at Chennai from October 31^st to November 2^nd 2023 (2)

On the second day, Dr K. Amarnath Ramakrishna, Prof. P P Joglekar and Prof. Shanti Pappu discussed about very important issues of documentation of the temples, antiquities of different materials and lithic tools. The practical difficulties in maintaining them, classifying and documenting them also were discussed. The creation of database in each and every category and converting them for public utility has been an important task. India with vast areas and monuments situated at remote places that too, without any safety and security, it has been very difficult to maintain them. Unfortunately, the ASI does not have any protecting system for the remote monuments. In fact, tourists themselves have difficulties in reaching such remote places. These circumstances only help the art-thieves, icon-looters and sculptures lifters to carry on the work continuously.

K. Amarnath Ramakrishna: Architectural Survey Projects include the Temple Survey Projects (North and South) and Building Survey Project. The main functions are:

• Survey and documentation of temples of various periods and in different parts of the country, research based on the field survey, preparation of reports on the survey;
• Survey and documentation of all secular architecture and colonial buildings, research on the survey and preparation of reports;
• Interaction with various universities and research institutions.

He explained about the temples coming under the control of ASI and explained how they have documented them. However, they do not work with the HR & CE to quantify all temples in Tamilnadu.

The quantification of the temples in Tamilnadu: This is a list of temples in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu which is famed for Tamil architecture styled Hindu temples, culture and tradition and is commonly known as the Land of Temples. Tamil Nadu has more temples than any other states of India. Tamil Nadu is home to more than 46,000 Hindu temples and is aptly called “the land of temples” by the media. Many are at least 800 years old and are found scattered all over the state. The rulers of various dynasties constructed these temples over centuries. Vimanas (storeys) and Gopuram (towering gateways to the temple complex) best characterize the temples of Tamil Nadu. As per Tamil Nadu Hindu Endowments Board, there are 39,615 / 38,615 temples[1]. Most of the largest Hindu temples reside here. Studded with complex architecture, variety of sculptures, and rich inscriptions, the temples remain the very essence of the culture and heritage of Tamil land, with historical records dating back to at least 3,000 years.

Temple maintenance, conservation and preservation: Many regular and committed pilgrims, bloggers and writers have been pointing out as to how even the Chola period temples with inscriptions have been crumbling down, but, ASI or even TN State Department archaeology does not bother. However, some local serious devotees, Uzhavarappani[2] groups (Voluntary Temple Cleaning groups) and others have been doing wonderful work for the last more than 50 years.

P Pramod Joglekar: Explaining “New Archaeology,” he went on to point out how statistical methods are used in archaeology to understand facts. E explained the three stages in such development before 1960, 1960 to 1974 and 1974 thereafter. The quantitative approach could be specifically deal with the issues by subjecting the data in different forms. The qualitative method has been subjective and thus individual, biased, one-sided, skewed and differs much from the interpretations. The qualitative method, on the other hand, has been objective – specific, unbiased and independent. Quantitative information is measurable or countable data that can provide insight into research questions. Quantitative information is one of the most direct ways to understand limited, specific questions, such as how often people in a culture perform a certain action or how many times an art form or motif appears in a cultural artifact. Statistics created from quantitative data help researchers understand trends and changes over time. In cultural research, qualitative data allows anthropologists to understand culture based on more subjective analyses of language, behaviour, ritual, symbolism, and the interrelationships of people. Qualitative data has the potential for more in-depth responses via open-ended questions, which can be coded and categorized in order to better identify common themes.

Quantitative analysis with few examples: Qualitative analysis is less about frequency and the number of things and more about a researcher’s subjective insights and understandings. Anthropology and other fields in the social sciences frequently integrate both types of data by using mixed methods. Through the triangulation of data, anthropologists can use both objective and frequency data (for example, survey results) and subjective data (such as observations) to provide a more holistic understanding. Thus, with graphs, he explained the usage of bangles by women. Showing two different occasions, the usage of shell bangles rises and falls. Different interpretations are given as the wrist size of the women changes and thus the size of the shell bangles also change; instead of shell, some other material was used and thus the rise and fall; thus the interpretations also increase. But, at a particular place, the usage had to be definite and also the explanation. Similarly, in another graph with three peaks, the usage of animals was interpreted with the bones found. Thus, it is interpreted that the hunter-gatherers were using meat at here different periods and such usage rose and fell, obviously resorted to other type of food; thus, they might have resorted to agriculture; or they might have domesticated them for some other use and killed; and so on. Any way all such interpretations have been amazing, interesting and intriguing also.

Shanti Pappu: Different types of lithic tools were distributed to the participants and asked to study them carefully and opine the type and nature of them. Thus, each participant came out with his opinion exhibiting the practical difficulty in identifying, classifying and documenting the lithic tools. In fact, whether they can be called as “artefacts” to be classified under the Acts and Rules and antiquities. Yet, she has been discussing with the ASI officials and trying to classify. Luminescence dating at the stratified prehistoric site of Attirampakkam, India, has shown that processes signifying the end of the Acheulian culture and the emergence of a Middle Palaeolithic culture occurred at 385 ± 64 thousand years ago (ka), much earlier than conventionally presumed for South Asia. The Middle Palaeolithic continued at Attirampakkam until 172 ± 41 ka. Chronologies of Middle Palaeolithic technologies in regions distant from Africa and Europe are crucial for testing theories about the origins and early evolution of these cultures, and for understanding their association with modern humans or archaic hominins, their links with preceding Acheulian cultures and the spread of Levallois lithic technologies.

About the Paleolithic tools: The geographic location of India and its rich Middle Palaeolithic record are ideally suited to addressing these issues, but progress has been limited by the paucity of excavated sites and hominin fossils as well as by geochronological constraints. At Attirampakkam, the gradual disuse of bifaces, the predominance of small tools, the appearance of distinctive and diverse Levallois flake and point strategies, and the blade component all highlight a notable shift away from the preceding Acheulian large-flake technologies. These findings document a process of substantial behavioural change that occurred in India at 385 ± 64 ka and establish its contemporaneity with similar processes recorded in Africa and Europe. This suggests complex interactions between local developments and ongoing global transformations. Together, these observations call for a re-evaluation of models that restrict the origins of Indian Middle Palaeolithic culture to the incidence of modern human dispersals after approximately 125 ka.

Opinion of other scholars: Considerable numbers of artefacts can be documented with high accuracy and resolution when the methods described are used[3]. Virtual artefact collections can be documented completely, even if the artefacts are stored at different places, including objects that were considered as being unretouched pieces[4]. The virtual collection thus achieved can be distributed easily on storage media such as CD ROMs or even through the Internet. It can be examined by anybody and compared to any real or virtual artefacts of similar origin. All visualization products are results of automatic and objective procedures, thus avoiding the individual subjective interpretation which is inevitably part of hand-drawn figures.

The points observed: The NMMA form was given with antique objects to all and asked to fill up with their observations in their format.  Digital weighing machine, Vernier calipers, scale, magnifying glass etc., were also provided to analyze the object given. The session went on till lunch and thereafter. Then, “how to take photographs of the artefacts,” was also demonstrated and explained.

• No consensus about the form used for documentation of the artefacts, monuments and others to be recorded.
• How to classify the palaeolithic tools as “antique” under the Act or to be classified so!
• What are lithic tools and cores, difference, how are they identified, classified and documented?
• The Paleolithic site – not exactly the lithic tools collected as they were “taken since 1950 and none determine exactly,, from where they had taken.”
• Whether excavated, at wht level or simply they came there, rummaged the excavated sites and taken such lithic tools?
• The Paleolithic chronology does not tally with the sedimentary formation at the same place or nearby place.
• To get such lithic tools at one foot, 3 feet etc., from the present ground level and decide them accordingly…
• All lithic tools are not “artefacts” unless, some human work could be seen / noted / or at least identified on the surface of the object.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

04-11-2023

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[1] The HR & CE of the TN government figure – available from their website. The temples not coming under the HR & CE are also to be added with this figure.

[2] One of the Nayanmar, Thirunavukkarasar / Appar used to visit all temples and clean with his “Uzhavarappadai” (small spade) and thus,the expression symbolically denotes such tool and the voluntary service rendered by devotee in temples periodically.

[3] Boehler, W., Boehm, K., Heinz, G., Justus, A., Schwarz, C., & Siebold, M. (2003, September). Documentation of stone age artifacts. In Proceedings of the XIX th CIPA Symposium. ISPRS/CIPA (pp. 506-510).

[4] https://www.cipaheritagedocumentation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Boehler-e.a.-Documentation-of-Stone-Age-artifacts.pdf

The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) – workshop at Chennai from October 31st to November 2nd 2023 (1)

The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities  (NMMA) – workshop at Chennai from October 31^st to November 2^nd 2023 (1)

NMMA workshop first day programme 31-10-2023

National Database of all Monuments and Antiquities: With the objective of preparing a national database of all monuments and antiquities, the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) was launched by the Government 36 (2007), initially for a period of five years i.e. 2007-2012. In order to complete the documentation process and continue the momentum, this period was extended by another five years (2012-2017) and later NMMA was merged with ASI (October 2017). Delay in setting up of NMMA and lack of planning leading to failure in achieving its objective was pointed out in the previous CAG Report.

Lighting lamp to inaugurate the workshop….

Objectives of NMMA: The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities was launched in 2007. The time frame prescribed for its completion is five years. Documentation and creation of suitable database on built heritage and sites through published and unpublished secondary sources for information and dissemination to planners, researchers, etc. and for better management of such cultural resources. Documentation in a uniform developed by NMMA, of all Antiquities that are available in different formats in the form of Registered Antiquities, Catalogued Antiquities with Central as well as State Governments, Private museums and Collections, Universities, etc. Promote awareness and sensitize people concerning the benefits of preserving the historical and cultural aspects of built heritage, sites and antiquities. Extend training facility and capacity building to the concerned State Departments, Local bodies, NGOs, Universities, Museums, Local communities etc. Help in developing synergy between institutions Archaeological Survey of India, State Departments, concerned Institutions and NGOs to generate close interaction.

• Publication and Research.
• Expected output
• National Register on Built Heritage & Sites
• National Register on Antiquities.

Lighting lamp..

2022 onwards workshops conducted: The NMMA has been conducting workshops on the documentation from 2022 onwards[1] – November 2022 – Greater Noida; December – Guwahati; December – Aurangabad; 2023 January – Bhopal; 2023 January – Bangalore; 2023 February – Bhubaneswar; Why conduct workshops suddenly? As I am familiar with CAG audit, audit reports etc., and reading them carefully, I noted in the 2022-CAG Report[2] that, “It also stated that there was a need for reviewing the existing documentation process/guidelines, identify and revive Documentation Resource Centres (DRC)/State Level Implementing Committees (SLIC), initiate training programmes and workshops at the local levels. …….Since March 2015, no workshop was held to facilitate documentation work, rectify mistakes or to provide clarification to agencies involved in the process. As a result, there was absence of a system for regularly up-grading the technical capability of executing agencies, which affected the work process.”

NMMA workshop= audience view RHS

Three-day workshop at Chennai: A three-day workshop on “documentation of monuments” was held at Keys Select by Lemon Tree Hotels, Katti-Ma, Chennai, Kalakshetra Road, Thiruvanmiyur, organized by NMMA and ASI (Chennai circle) from October 31st to November 2nd 2023. It was inaugurated by  Prof Kishore Kumar Basa DG of ASI by lamping lamp and the proceedings continued with the speeches of Ravikorisettar, Sathyabhama and Samanta. Then, there was a practical session to identify the artefacts, measure their physical dimensions and note them down in the format for documentation. This was followed by photography practice, in which, how to take a photograph of an artefact was demonstrated.

Documenting of antiques will prevent their smuggling to other countries, said Archaeological Survey of India’s National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities director Madhulika Samanta on Tuesday [31-10-2023][3]. “A large number of antiques are getting smuggled out of the country. We do not have any knowledge that they were with us till they are showing up in museums in Europe and America,” she said[4]. She was speaking on the sidelines of a regional workshop cum training programme here on the documentation of monuments and antiques (southern region). “When we initiate legal proceedings to bring them back, we end up losing cases in international courts as we do not have any national data to show that they were with us,” Samanta said.

• The national mission had a target of documentation
• ASI’s NMMA has documented 17 lakh antiques and 58 lakh antiques and four lakh built heritage sites. , and 1.84 lakh heritage sites.
• “But we have published only 11,000 sites so far because the data was collected from secondary sources, including research articles, reports,” she added.

She said unprotected monuments are also getting demolished due to developmental activities. “If universities, state archaeological departments, colleges, organisations come up with project proposals to document antiques, we will recognise them as documentation resource centres and give them grants,” she said.

In India, it is a problem of plenty: “Heritage is our strength. If not managed well it could be a liability,” ASI director general Kishore K Basa[5] said while speaking at the inaugural function[6] pointing out, as for as the antiquities and monuments are concerned, it is a problem of plenty. However, it has to be accepted as positive manner in presenting them. There is a difference between the attitude and approach of the people towards the monuments by the colonial period and till 21st century. During the colonial period, the natives were kept away from te exploration, excavation and heritage management. But, now the citizens have to be taken into account in heritage management. ASI has to work with citizen-centric approach, as money comes from the public. He emphasised the necessity of the documentation of all the monuments, artefacts and others[7]. In the documentation processes, multilayered information should be provided and even children should be made to take an interest in heritage management.

Who is responsible for the illegal trafficking of the artefacts?: Sathyabhama Badrinath talked about, “Objectives of NMMA and future course of action,” tracing the creation of NMMA somewhere in 2006-2007 period under the Five years plan and then extended to 2011-2012. On 01-10-2017, it was merged with the ASI. With te urbanization and looting of antiquities, the monuments started disappearing. Illicit trafficking has been taking place. There have been 4 lakh heritage sites, 3  lakhs of the ASI and one that of Built-heritage categories. The Customs and Postal Department have seized many artefacts, but they are lying and the condition is not known. Thus, she tried to blame the other departments. The private collectors should register with the ASI. It appears that the ASI is interested in adding more numbers in their NMMA register.

Prehistory artefacts, ulture, terminology etc. – to follow European o African model?: Ravikorisettar talked about, “Documentation of Antiquities Chennai circle, Southern region – from documentation perspective.” He explained about the exploration, excavation and recovery of the prehistoric artefacts from different sites of South India. He also listed out the sites according to their location, geographical and geological importance and the nature of artefacts recovered. He also pointed out as to how these sites have been getting affected by quarrying, infrastructure development and climatic conditions.As he has been an expert in the prehistory, he covered most of his findings with slides for about one hour and then come to the issue of documentation, classifying / grouping such prehistoric / paleolithic sites. He pointed out how the lithic objects, cultures and related issues were / are mentioned with different terminology. The European model / terminology is not applicable to India. Thus, Africal example are followed and expression like  “Madrassian complex” is also used. Coming to the upper Paleolithic, it is not known to identify them as European or African model?

Madhulika Samanta – vote of thanks: The Archaeological Survey of India’s National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) director, Madhulika Samanta, has emphasized the importance of documenting antiquities to prevent their smuggling out of the country. Samanta stated that India often loses legal cases in international courts because there is no national data to prove that the smuggled antiquities were originally in India. The NMMA has documented 17 lakh antiquities and 1.84 lakh-built heritage sites so far, but the data published on their website is limited as it is collected from secondary sources. Samanta also highlighted the need to protect monuments from demolition due to development activities.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

03-11-2023

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[1] http://nmma.nic.in/nmma/workshop.do

[2] Report No. 10 of 2022; https://cag.gov.in/uploads/download_audit_report/2022/Chapter 6-062f0de36c49e05.39285992.pdf

[3] Times of India, Director of ASI’s NMMA suggests a way to prevent smuggling of antiquities, A Ragu Raman / TNN / Oct 31, 2023, 19:26 IST

[4] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/director-of-asis-nmma-suggests-a-way-to-prevent-smuggling-of-antiquities/articleshow/104860696.cms

[5] Prof. Kishor K. Basa,  Utkal University Professor (Retired on 31.03.2018), Ph. D. (London); Phone No.: 8895615636; E-mail ID: kishorkbasa58@gmail.com

[6] Times of India, Documenting of antiques will curb smuggling: ASI’s NMMA director, TNN / Nov 1, 2023, 08:17 IST

[7] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/documenting-of-antiques-will-curb-smuggling-asis-nmma-director/articleshow/104872987.cms

From Khambat to Kaveripumpattinam to Poompuhar – The excavation, exploration and underwater exploration and excavation!

From Khambat to Kaveripumpattinam to Poompuhar – The excavation, exploration and underwater exploration and excavation!

From S. R. Rao NIO to Ramaswamy and NIOT: S. R. Rao, NIO conducted excavations at the Tranqubar-Poompuhar coastal area during 1960s[1]. He also preliminary underwater exploration and excavation carried on during 1980s[2] and at that time, the TN Government was not so interested in pursuing further under the pretext of funds and other reasons. In fact, the then, CM off TN reportedly and sarcastically remarked, “You are going to prove that the city was submerged and the evidences are excavated, but, our literary evidences already say that.” However, the TN archaeologists, historians, Dravidologists and “myth-makers” always talk glory about submerged cities off Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean off the south. The “Kumarik kandam” has always been favourite topic for them. Anybody, who does not support or talks against it would be dubbed and branded as “the enemy of the Tamils,” “traitor, renegade” and so on. The report of S. R. Rao with all details can be be read from this book[3]. Now SM Ramasamy has brought out details dating the city back to 15,000 YBP, relying upon Grahm Hancock[4].

The Sangam Cholas capital and Port city: The celebrated ancient port capital of Chola is situated on the confluence of the river Kaveri and the Bay of Bengal.  It is believed that the ancient city of Poompuhar was submerged by the sea which finds a detailed description in Manimekhalai. The archaeological explorations have brought to light a large number of evidences indicating the partial submergence of the ancient town. A few brick structures have been found in intertidal zone and explorations in 5 m water depth yielded the evidence of rolled pottery which suggests that some part of habitation was submerged. A shipwreck dated to late 18^th century CE has also been found off Poompuhar in 19 m water depth[5]. This shipwreck is yielding a large number of lead ingots. Tranquebar another site about 15 km south of Poompuhar has remains of Chola, Ducth and Danish period. There is a fort of Dutch settlement at Tranquebar which has been partially submerged in sea. This is an indication of shoreline changes during the last 300 yrs. 

Poompuhar or Kaveripumpattinam: The NIO gives this narrative on Poompuhar[6], “Poompuhar, the submerged ancient port city situated in modern-day Mayiladuthurai district in Tamil Nadu, might have existed 15,000 years ago, and not 2,500 years ago as was earlier believed”, researchers at the department of remote sensing of Bharathidasan University (BDU) have said[7]. No sample, however, has been collected or dated. A group of researchers from NIOT have been publishing papers in “Current Science” and other journals[8], jointly and individually on the same and similar subject for the last five years[9]. Earlier studies had established that Poompuhar, also called Kaveripoompattinam, had maritime trade links with South East Asia and Egypt, before it disappeared from the maritime map around 1,000 years ago[10]. “While initially it was believed that the port city that gained prominence during the Chola dynasty was around 2,500 years old, the latest study based on offshore explorations and geological features interpreted on the sea floor estimates it was at least 15,000 years old,” the university said in a press release[11].

Poompuhar and Khambat: If scientific dating confirms the estimate, Poompuhar could be the oldest known ‘town’ in India and, arguably, across the world. Similar undersea explorations in the Gulf of Cambay off the Gujarat coast in the early 2000s had discovered a lost city believed to be the ancient Dwaraka, then dated to 7,500 BCE (which predates Mohenjodaro by 4,500 years). Actually, the NIOT announced the discovery of objects and the dates of them recovered during dredging operations at the Khambat. When the discovery was briefed by Dr Murali Manoher Joshi, a Physics Doctorate and Professor teaching physics. However, as he was a BJP Minister at that time, his briefing was criticized and the dating of the objects etc., were questioned by the leftists historians. Even Iravatham Mahadevan reacted to it[12]. Just like “submerged 15,000 years old Poompuhar city,” a submerged city was described with the material evidences recovered. 

Research done in 2019 with NIOT-ships: The Poompuhar study, sponsored by the department of Science and technology and technically supported by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), found structures that could’ve been a harbour, dockyards, human settlements and a lighthouse, around 40km from the present coast, at a depth of 50m-100m. Sometime in the middle of 2019, when scientists on board Sagar Tara and Sagar Anveshika, research vessels from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), neared Poompuhar off the Tamil Nadu coast, they knew they were floating over history. Just that they didn’t know how old the civilization, whose remnants lay about 100m beneath their feet, was. Poompuhar, the ancient Tamil port city lost to the sea, was earlier believed to have been about 2,500 years old, when the Chola kings set sail to capture distant lands in the east.

The 15,000 years – is assumed: Now, the research team from Bharathidasan University’s Department of remote sensing says they have reasons to believe it was 15,000 years old. The study, sponsored by the Department of science and Technology and technically supported by NIOT, compared offshore exploration findings near the Poompuhar coast with sea level data generated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In the next phase, NIOT will collect samples from the sea to substantiate the findings. The team said the geological features of the sea floor – a harbour, dockyards, human settlements and a lighthouse -have matched sea level conditions that existed 15,000 years ago.

Research carried on with Remote sensing methods: “Poompuhar had a harbour that sprawled over 11km in length and 3km in breadth, with breakwaters and canals to handle and store merchandise. We have found evidence of a primitive dockyard that could handle 70-80 ships at a time,” S M Ramasamy, professor of eminence and national coordinator, Project Poompuhar, Bharathidasan University, said. The university has published the part on harbour in the journal ‘Current Science’. D Rajasekhar, head, NIOT vessel management cell, said the team studied around 6,000sqkm and found most of the ruins at a depth of 25m to 50m below the seabed. A multibeam echosounder attached to the ship was used to study the variation in depth of the sea (bathymetry). Based on data collected by the echosounder, a sub-bottom profiler mapped the seafloor. In the next phase, NIOT will deploy a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to capture images.

Photos taken by remotely operated vehicle (ROV): “We have completed a trial run with an ROV, which was attached with a camera and a sonar. We plan to collect some coring samples,” he said. The study found rowed settlements with compound walls and geological evidence of pits dug on the seafloor. Remains of an ancient lighthouse were found at a depth of 50m, with a spiral staircase and causeway pillars having a design like the Cleopatra lighthouse of Egypt. So, how did the old city go under? Ramaswamy said the region was prone to floods, tsunamis and accelerated impact of sea level rise and cyclone-induced storms.

Poompuhar was relocated at least six times before settling down at the present place: “Poompuhar was relocated at least six times before settling down at the present place. Due to marine transgression, the sea might have reached the land till the present day Mayiladuthurai around 6,000 years ago and regressed later,” the project coordinator said. Around 12 government and private educational institutions including Tamil University, Annamalai University and SASTRA University will be engaged in further studies of the research. “The study will go on for another year and the findings will encourage a similar study to explore Kumari Kandam, a mythical lost continent in the Indian Ocean,” the research team said. (With inputs from U Tejonmayam).

Concluding remarks: Any way, going through all data and information, the following points may have to be kept in mind:

1. The Sangam literature has been dated from 300 BCE to 100 CE, and the Sangam period has been fixed accordingly.
2. Recently, based on the single C-14 dating of Keeladi sample, the 580 BCE date is claimed for the Sangam period.
3. Thus, the “historic period” of Sangam period is claimed to precede the Asokan period of 3^rd cent.BCE.
4. However, there has not been any inscription found comparable to the Asokan inscriptions, as the claim is made on few  “marks” found on potsherds.
5. However, there has not been any consensus among the historians and archaeologists, as the town formation and other material evidences do not go back to such 6^th cent BCE period.
6. Here, now no sample has been collected and therefore scientific dating cannot be thought of.
7. The “15,000” years claim has been far-feteched and has no historical basis.
8. No human habitation is proved for the different levels assumed for the existence of a city based on the photographs.
9. They also claim that they would excavate for “Kumarik kandam,” another myth floated by the Tamil protagonists and linguistic enthusiasts.
10. Under the guise of “scientific studies,” such claims need not be made and news created sending wrong signals to the general public.

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

22-01-2023 / revised 15-04-2023

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[1] S.R.Rao, Excavations at Kaveripattinam, Transactions of Archaeological Society of South India, Madras, 1965.

[2] S. R. Rao, Marine archaeological explorations of Tranqubar-Poompuhar region of Tamil Nadu coast, Journal of Marine Archaeology, Goa,1991, No.2, pp.5-20.

S. R. Rao, Underwater explorations of submerged towns near Tranquebar Tamil Nadu, Recent Advances in marie archaeology, Goa, 1991, pp.60-64.

[3] S. R. Rao, Marine Arhaeology in India, Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, New Delhi,  2001, See Chapter-VI – Discovery of Poompuhar submerged in the Bay of Bengal, pp.169-192.

[4] Hancock, G., Underworld: The Flooded Kingdoms of the Ice Age, Penguin Books, London, 2002, p. 741.

[5] https://www.nio.org/galleries/show/poompuhar

[6] Times of India, Tamil Nadu’s Poompuhar may be over 15,000 years old: Study, DEEPAK KARTHIK / TNN / Updated: Jan 21, 2023, 05:03 IST.

[7] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/tamil-nadus-poompuhar-may-be-over-15000-years-old-study/articleshow/97186246.cms

[8] SM. Ramasamy1, J. Saravanavel, K. Palanivel, C. J. Kumanan and D. Rajasekhar, Detection of submerged harbour using GEBCO and MBES data, in the offshore region of ancient port city Poompuhar,South India, Current Science, Vol.119, No.3, 10 august, 2020, pp.526-534.

Click to access 0526.pdf

[9] Lissa, M., et al. “Semantic data model for knowledge representation and dissemination of cultural heritage site, Poompuhar.” CURRENT SCIENCE 123.10 (2022): 1237.

[10] The Hindu, Ancient port city of Poompuhar traced undersea, claim researchers, S. Ganesan, January 20, 2023 10:12 pm | Updated January 21, 2023 06:10 pm IST.

[11] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/ancient-port-city-of-poompuhar-traced-undersea-claim-researchers/article66413969.ece

[12] Frotline, ‘Be sceptical, and not negative and destructive’, Interview with Iravatham Mahadevan. Published : Mar 30, 2002 00:00 IST.

https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/article30244518.ece

Recent Advances in South Indian Archaeology – The 2nd International Symposium in memory of Iravatham Mahadevan – 12-03-2023 – Maritime contacts between south India and SEA, temple structure, – etc (8)

Recent Advances in South Indian Archaeology – The 2^nd International Symposium in memory of Iravatham Mahadevan – 12-03-2023 – Maritime contacts between south India and SEA, temple structure, –  etc (8)

12-03-2023 – Sunday- Third-day session: First, the archaeology officers of the department presented papers about the excavation works carried on at different places for the year 2021-2022 with photographs, as announced by the organizer, Rajan.. These details have been reported in the media regularly and much publicity has already been given by the CM, Ministers, MPs etc.  Now, the following presented their papers:

1. Asaithambi – Excavation at Mayiladuparai, Krishnagiri dist, 2021-2022.
2. S. Paranthaman – Perumbalai excavation, Dharmapuri dist, 2021-2022.
3. Nandagopal, Gangaikonda Chalapuram,, Udaiyarpalayam, Ariyalur, 2021-2022.
4. Vasanthakumar – Tulukkarpatti, Radhapuram Taluk, Tirunelveli, 2021-2022.

After the presentation, Rajan also briefed about the excavations and informed that the officers were presenting their papers for the first time. About “Tulukkarpatti,” there was some discussion – how the place got the name, were thee any Islamic activities there and so on. Actually, V. Selvakumar started asking such questions.

Veena Mushrif Tripathy and Mhachami Ovung presented a paper on “Human skeletal studies on partial collection from Kondagai site, Tamilnadu: its future scope.”

Berenice Bellina presented her paper on “Early maritime exchange between South India and South East Asia – Mid 1^st Millennium BCE – 1^st Millennium CE”: During the period under study, India witnessed the emergence of several mature states: the Mauryas, Kushanas and the Guptas in North India, and the Satavahanas in the Deccan. South India also contained some powerful chiefdoms such as the Cheras, Cholasand the Pandyas, some of which emerged as urbanized kingdoms such as that of thePallavas, who ruled modern-day Tamil Nadu during the third/fourth to the ninth centuries CE. Despite the political plurality, what mattered for trade was the codification of crafts under guilds, which acted as banks and places for investment and the monetarization of parts of the economy, as shown by the wide range of coins issued by cities in different areas. Trade based on profit is well described in the Arthasastra, and an elaborate bureaucracy developed, especially in the Mauryan state. There was a considerable development of both overland and maritime trade routes, although with many regional variations in the organization of trade. The period also saw the rise of specialized trading communities (vanijas and setthis) in the middle Ganga Valley, dealing in salt, textiles, metals and pottery.

She was comparing the artefacts…

The newly spreading cults of Buddhism and Jainism accepted the accumulation and reinvestment of wealth; a concept quite alien to the culture of the earlier Vedic period in which reciprocal exchange of the “prestige goods” type had been the normal method of distributing exotic and luxury items. Long-distance trade between the agricultural hinterland of the middle Ganga Valley, ports such as Gange and Tamralipti in the Delta,and those at the mouth of the Narmada Valley on the west coast such as Broach (Barygazain the Periplus), developed rapidly at this time. The gem fields and gold-rich deposits of South India were quickly integrated into these trading systems.

analysis of industries, products….

With a lack of written records, we cannot analyse in the same detail as India, the structure of exchange within Southeast Asia for the thousand years from the fifth century BCE onwards. Good archaeological documentation is still scarce and we depend over-much on models based on analogies from more recent historical and ethnographic situations. For instance, Bronson, Wheatley, Wolters, Miksic and Wisseman Christie have all proposed evolutionary or structural models for Southeast Asian exchange systems.6 Although useful, these are generalized and abstract and, for the most part, lack firm support from empirical data from the past. However, we know that late prehistoric settlements of the second and early first millennia BCE in Mainland Southeast Asia regularly occur in small stream valleys which feed the major river systems.

locally produced goods with Indian technology……………………….

These, perhaps quite isolated, villages were linked by far-reaching exchange networks which saw marine shell ornaments being taken over 1,000 km from the coast, and copper and tin ingots and artefacts entering communities far removed from the ore sources. Marble, marine shell, serpentine and other rare stone material, ceramics and doubtless many perishable items exchanged hands along the river systems. As Higham makes clear, the middle of the first millennium BCE in southeast Asia was a period of profound economic, social and political change. The Iron Age in Southeast Asia was marked by increases in wealth and social complexity leading to powerful territorial polities. Large or valuable objects, such as Dong Son bronze drums and nephrite ornaments from Vietnam, arrived by sea to enter long-established exchange routes along the rivers. Thus, it is evident that intra and inter-regional exchange routes were well-developed before they were linked to the more developed South Asian trading systems. Wisseman Christie has argued for the emergence of three clusters of producer-trading states in Peninsular Malaysia during late centuries BCBC.7 But throughout most of Southeast Asia at this time, the highest level of political organization was what might be called chiefly society, or at best some nascent states in which and barter and gift-giving were likely to have been the principal modes of exchange, since there is no evidence for coinage. In central Vietnam, the Sa-Huynh Culture probably represented a culturally-related series of chiefdoms which were closely involved in overseas trade, as shown by the theSa-Huynh, or Sa-Huynh influenced, artefacts and urn burials widely distributed in the Philippines, northern Indonesia and parts of Thailand.

imports, exports common…

The technological study presented here concludes that the adaptation of what was perceived in foreign cultures as a carrier of modernity and sophistication resulted in the creation of a ‘trans-regional ’élite whose identity was based on common reinterpreted foreign cultural values and practices. This study has also identified some of the social groups involved as well as characterising the exchanges. In particular, it identified the circulation of Indian productions made to order, as well as the direct involvement of some Indian craft castes (the Brahmans). Both raise the question of the Indian response to South-east Asian demands. They imply that the South-east Asian agencies were far from passive in the process since they werein position to orientate the exchange by their specific orders.

trade guilds worked together……

The transfer of Indian politico-religious features as well as of manufacturing techniques imply periods of close and lasting interaction between India and South-east Asia. It is likely that the South-east Asian élite not only wanted to possess the status markers but also the means to produce them, such as the craftsmen who could transfer their knowledge or the Brahmans who could provide legitimising rituals. The identification of the possible presence of Indian craftsmen in South-east Asia, as I propose for the early port site of Khao Sam Kaeo, could provide clues on the modes of transfers and on the nature of interactions. Now it remains to define the stages of these interactions, a goal to which the study of the site of Khao Sam Kaeo could provide answers. This study of the earliest evidence for exchange between India and South-east Asia also anticipates an affect on the economy, urbanisation and state formation – matters which remain to be investigated.

With ceramic, glass, metallic artefacts found, she was pointing out that there were contacts between the trading people of the Coastal areas of the Bay of Bengal and that of the SEA countries. The artefacts were locally manufactured perhaps with the expertise received from the Indians, as they exhibited clear Indian influence. Even required raw materials could have been imported from India that included Ceylon / Sri Lanka in those days. An alliance among / between the ports of Bay of Bengal could have also been existing, as the traders were moving periodically from the Indian coasts and travelling across the ocean to reach SEA countries and China also. The trade guilds that existed clearly point to such fact.

Ramakrishna Pisipathy – Recent Archaeological investigations in Lower Palar river: Palar is a river of southern India. It rises in the Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapuradistrict of Karnataka state and flows 222 km southeastward through Tamil Nadu before reaching its confluence into the Bay of Bengal at Vayalur about 100 km south of Chennai. Of the seven tributaries, the chief tributary is the CheyyarRiver and the Vegavati. Kanchipuram, one of the ancient cities is located on thebanks of the Palar and Vegavti river.Kanchipuram (13.40’N & 76.25’E 12.98°N 79.71°E,) is one of the important centers and hub for many satellite centers with urban features in the south by the time of early centuries of the present era. Like all ancient cities in India,Kanchipuram is also situated on the banks of river, Vegavati, a split channel ofthe Palar river which is connected to the Bay of Bengal (east coast). It has anelevation of 83.2 m (273 ft) above sea level and the flat land with slopes towards the south and east. All suitable geographical setup of the region has been utilized by the human beings from the very beginning. Recent studies are further strengthening the potentiality of the region in not only as an early lithic centre but also a hub of continues human activities in the region, even till now.

V. Selvakumar – Architecture of Southern India and roof-tiles of Historical period: he described various roof-tiles used in different periods starting with prehistoric period. Of course for such period, there was no evidence. Fr Neolithic and other periods were also, roof might have been there, but not tiles. With the existing medieval structures, he was trying to interpret that older structures too had such tiled-roof. Here also his interpretation that “Katrali” to have a roof was a privilege and so on.

Santhalingam (on-line), Madurai. Recent epigraphical evidences in Pandyanadu: He was interpreting with different inscriptions.

Shanti Pappu – Excavations at Sendrayanpalayam (SEN), Tamilnadu: New perspective on the Lower Paleolithic: They have been doing the work for the last 25 years with facilities of laboratory and studies. They have been carrying out prehistoric excavations, research, teaching and educating with training also. They have been excavating at different pprehistoric sites by locating using scientific methodology. The “Site” itself becomes crucial in archaeology, to definite and realize specifically.  Sendrayanplayam is about a two-hour-drive from Chennai in southern India. The Sendrayanpalayam site is fairly well-preserved and represents a slightly different environment relative to Attirampakkam. Studying more such places could help show when and how humans came to live and adapt in south India.

Kumar Akhilesh, Mohamed Sahrumi, Prchi Joshi and Shanti Pappu – Excavations at Senarayanpalayam (SEN), Tamilnadu: New perspective on the Lower Paleolithic:..The group presented the above details in different perspective…and most of these details are available in the internet.

Ansumali Mukhopadhyay – Indus script signs for gold, gold measuring unit, and treasury: Taxed commodities and tax collecting entities encoded in Indus inscriptions: Taking some symbols, she tried to interpret .Ansumali Mukhopadhyay  has alredy published the same and similar papers and they are available in the internet for downloading. S. Kalyanaraman and others have also been working on the same lies for more than 40-50 years and their published papers and books are also available.

Satyamurthy taking the example of Veppattur temple, he explained how an old temple existed…..

The depilated super structure on an elevated place….

T. Satyamurthy: Architectural tradition of Tamilnadu: Distinctions and recent trends: Temple structures could not have come into existence suddenly. There must have been many processes of evolution for such structure to come into existence. Based on the inscription of Mahendr varman (610-630 CE), “This brickless, timberless, metalless and mortarless mansion of Laksita was caused to be made by king Vicitracitta for Brahma, Isvara and Visnu”, it is believed that temple architecture came into existence in Tamilagam only during 7^th cent.CE. So here, except metal, other materials are perishable and hence during the course of times, they were disappearing and temples rebuilt. There are many references in Sangam literature about the existence of structures. With the Veppattur depilated temple taking scnned pictures, three-layered paintings, size of the bricks used etc., he proved that the Sanpam period temple was in existence and it was abandoned due to some reason and now, it has been renovated and restored.

he compared the super structure, bricks etc.,

how it existed through, Pallava, Chola and Vijayanagara………..is shown with evidences…..

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

16-03-2023.

The Idol-theft, temple desecration and illegal export of antique objects in Andhra and Telangana: Is it a political, politicized or organized racket? (1)

The Idol-theft, temple desecration and illegal export of antique objects in Andhra and Telangana: Is it a political, politicized or organized racket? (1)

Anti-temple attitude, iconoclasm and Idol-theft etc in Andhra and Telangana: Recently, there have been many instances of temple attacks, desecration and demolitions taking place in Andhra and Telangana. Generally, the people of Tamilnadu think that their State has been prone to such temple-demolishing, idol-breaking, icon-lifting gangs working with political iconoclasm, anti-Hindu ideology and anti-iconogenesis morbid mentality. But, such psyche has been exhibited in Andhra and Telangana also is surprising and shocking. The mindset and ideology have been same as observed by the media and the Police. Thus, how Telugu-speaking people have been infested with a sinister psyche leading to iconoclasm has to be analyzed. How these stolen idols are passed on hands, whom they are sent, what is the destination, and finally who pays for such operations and such other questions are also to be answered. As for Andhra and Telangana are concerned, there has not been any systematic study of such event involved.

How deserted, mutilated and desecrated Idols are found at many remote places?: There have been thousands of temples situated across the state in the remote places and villages. For the people of those areas, they have been witnessing them for many generations.  The nonagenarians, octogenarians and other elders could give more details also. Many times, in local newspapers, there have been routine and stereotyped claims that a broken sculpture or inscription was found in a remote village, nearby temple, or in the paddy field and so on. Most of them have been there and known to local people and the visitors. However, some enthusiastic people take photographs and publish such stuff in the local newspapers, as they might be knowing some friends working there. Ironically, many times, for the same sculpture or inscription, there have been more than one “discoverer” and news reports appearing one after another or after a gap of some months.

Idol-theft started rising since 1980 in Andhra- Hundreds of Idols not traceable: During the 1980s, there was a sudden increase in thefts of Panchaloha idols and the spectre is once again returning with three cases of arrest in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh recently[1]. Thus, it is clear that such activities have been going on since 1980 i.e, more than 40 years. In other words, they have been organized, planned and controlled. In one instance, three Panchaloha idols of deities Varadarajula Swamy, Sridevi and Bhoodevi from an ancient temple at Rajole in Kuravi mandal in Warangal district which were stolen on March 15, 2016, are now in safe custody but hundreds of idols from the temples across the two Telugu-speaking States are missing for years[2]. According to the Telangana State Department of Archaeology, about 38 idols from across Telangana and AP were recovered between 2008 and 2013 but these idols are the ones that the police hand over to the department once a case is resolved, for safe custody. According to experts, there are close to 100 precious idols that date back to over 300-400 years that come under “untraceable category”. This implies that such Idols were passed over to the regular smugglers and exporters of antiques and it is evident that the Andhra-Telangana gangs have nexus with them.

CAG Report on the Idol-theft and Telugu speaking people: Stolen idols data from 2014 till date is being corroborated, said an official and on condition of anonymity confirmed that there are at least a couple of cases reported every month  (may be 1000 in a year). According to a CAG report in 2013, 91 idols of archaeological importance in India had been missing or untraceable. Telangana State Department of Archaeology director NR Visalatchi says, “The police hands over the stolen idols to the department for safe custody. The department has its limitations in protecting the idols.” It is estimated that the illegal trade of art and artefacts is estimated to be worth Rs 40,000 crore a year. No doubt that the Tamil Nadu government started a special Tamil Nadu Police Idol Wing which is in constant touch with the US Homeland Security. But, the position of Andhra and Telangana is not known.

Many Idol-theft cases not reported: Though many precious idols go missing from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh every month and rarely get reported, there is no such wing in either State. So, it is shocking to know why such a wing has not been formed since 1950, when the Andhra state was formed first in India. In the garb of ‘researcher’ and ‘antique collector’ smuggling of international antiquities goes on which requires capital and connections. Such is the volume of stolen idols that earlier this year in June, the US government returned over 200 stolen idols to India during PM Modi’s visit. But there are thousands of idols stacked away in museums and private collections the world over. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, over 4,000 items were stolen from Indian temples just in a span of three years between 2010 and 2012 and in the past two decades about 2,913 idols and antiquities have been traced in museums. K Padmanabha, Deputy Director, Telangana Department of Archaeology says, “We recovered two Lord Rama, two Lakshmana and one each of Sita and Radha Devi idols that were stolen from Parlapalli village and date back to 400 years. There are scores of idols strewn across the State that need protection.” The expression “seen across” can be noted and understood. The fact is that the remote temples are regularly ransacked for the purpose and evidently the people of those areas must have been aiding and abetting the gangs foor monetary benefits,

Modus operandi of the Companies exporting the stolen Idols: The modus operandi is complex as companies buy and sell objects among themselves to hoodwink officials before forwarding them to auction houses and collectors. Objects are first shipped to Switzerland which is considered safe because of the free trade zone. Auction houses claim that they buy the objects from Swiss soil and not from India. Dealers have a deep network connecting remote areas of the country. The modus operandi used by smugglers is to prepare a copy of the looted antique and submit it to the Archaeological survey; once the tag of ‘non-antiquity’ is granted, the certificate is used to tag to the genuine antique and ship it out of the country. Smugglers use a paperless money remittance system (hawala) which is virtually untraceable. Ghiya from Jaipur and Subhash Kapoor, a US citizen (who is now in Tamil Nadu jail), have been involved in smuggling idols out of India for decades. Subhash Kapoor who owns Art of the Past, an art gallery in New York, is accused of smuggling more than $100 million worth of stolen art from India.

So here, the same questions are raised in the context of Andhra and Telangana: A careful analysis of events clearly points to an agenda, systematic plan and organized operations orchestrated by some unknown people of these two Telugu-speaking states.

1. Who hoodwinks the officials and deal with such antiques, selling and buying easily?
2. If Objects are first shipped to Switzerland which is considered safe because of free trade zone, how it is possible crossing so many authorities?
3. The modus operandi used by smugglers is to prepare a copy of the looted antique. Then, how such a duplicate Idol is manufactured, who has such highly sophisticated technology?
4. Producing moulds and dies, the alloy (of panchaloha), furnace and other equipment? They cannot be handled by ordinary people.
5. Who is granting the tag of ‘non-antiquity’?  [like F.J.A.Flynn case, many archaeologists, historians and others must have been involved]
6. Whether such person issuing such certificate has been unaware of the facts or is a part of the game-plan aiding and abetting?
7. How the duplicate is substituted[3] inside the temple?
8. How is it possible without the knowledge of so many of the temple, transport, logistics, handlers and others?
9. Having known a or conditioned so, how and who are making them silent and the whole issue is muted?
10. At the point of export, how the invoice, packing slip, Bill of lading and other documents are filed, who is getting such clearance?
11. After export, at the point of import (destination country), how are they cleared?
12. After crossing all hurdles, how they are again getting that antiquity, so that they can be auctioned, sold and bought?

Thus, the top persons are having contacts at destination countries to carry out the job, as per their agenda. As the profits have been in crores, they could easily bribe the intermediaries and operators with lakhs and thousands..

The statistics of temple desecration, looting etc in Andhra and Telangana: Under the TDP government, 163 temple offences were reported in 2015, 139 in 2017, 123 in 2018 and 177 in 2019, when the government transitioned to the YSR Congress Party.

Year	No. of desecration cases	Remarks
2015	163	As these have been reported and obviously – officially declared figures,the actual figures could be more, as the “untraceable” ones are also to be added with these figures.
2016	?
2017	139
2018	123
2019	177
2020	228

In 2020, a year that saw an uproar following the chariot burning at the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Antarvedi, there were 143 alleged temple offences. In spite of the political overtones, and accusations against each other party and other vested interests, the fact remains that temples have been desecrated, idols stolen and many arrested. Thus, the investigations and motives clearly point to Idol-theft connected with the antique smuggling passing hands.  The political façade is perhaps thrusted to divert the issue and suppress the facts. Police are understood to have achieved some progress in the probe into attacks on temples in the state by tracing the mobile phone calls made by some of the suspects to some politicians[4]. When contacted, Director General of Police D Gautam Sawang, however, said it was too early to comment on a possible political conspiracy behind the spate of attacks on temples[5]. Let some incidences be studied in the context, to understand the intricacies.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

18-09-2022

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[1] HansIndia, Missing idols cause concern in Telangana, AP T P Venu, 14 Sept 2016, 9:28 AM IST.

[2] https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-09-14/Missing-idols-cause-concern-in-Telangana-AP/253744

[3] This is impossible without the knowledge of the priest, as he could immediately identify that the Idol has been replaced or changed. Then, the temple servants and workers of all categories, officials and nearby people can know the fact within time.  Thus, the gangs must have either cajoled or threatened the concerned persons and allow them to carry on such unlawful acts.

[4] Indian Express, Andhra Pradesh temple attacks probe points to political angle: Sources, Published: 07th January 2021 08:50 AM  |   Last Updated: 07th January 2021 10:42 AM.

[5] https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/jan/07/andhra-pradesh-temple-attacks-probe-points-to-political-angle-sources-2246680.html

Salvage Archaeology, in the Indian context: Some specific examples and issues discussed (2)

Salvage Archaeology, in the Indian context: Some specific examples and issues discussed (2)

200 Megalithic Graves Found On Nagarjunasagar Dam Bed[1]: In a rare archaeological find, the Department of Archaeology and Museums officials have found about 200 megalithic burial sites on the Nagarjunasagar reservoir bed. It can be said that these could be found only because of the dam construction. In other words, the “Salvage archaeology” worked in other way, paving way for such discoveries. The sites surfaced recently after the water level in the dam receded below the minimum draw down level (MDDL). The officials said people lived there between 1,000 BC and 2nd Century CE and they could have used the area located exactly under Nagarjunasagar reservoir bed as their community burial site. Their conclusion was based on finding a large number of stone circle burials at one spot. Speaking to The Hindu, Assistant Director of the Department of Archaeology and Museums P. Nagaraju said they could not say that there were more such burial sites under the water since some had been spotted. “We have found proof that the people had made the Nagarjunasagar backwater area, where the river Krishna and its tributary Dindi converge, their habitation some 3,000 years ago with this finding,” Nagaraju stated. Several excavations in the past had proved that civilisations had flourished on the river banks due to water availability and the finding of the burials was very close to river would support that theory again.

 

An insight into lifestyle[2]: Stating that the excavation would provide an insight into the lifestyle of people who lived in that era, Nagaraju said there was a practice of burying various belongings used by the dead along with the body. “Such belongings will certainly help us know about religion, food habits, occupation and others details related to the people buried here,” the Assistant Director said adding that local people had also informed the archaeology officials that there was a habitation very close to the burial site found now until Nagarjunasagar project was constructed. However, the inhabitants were displaced and rehabilitated elsewhere when the impounding of water in the reservoir began in 1950s.

Project at Bankata village near Soraon in the district: His expertise in ‘salvage archaeology’ will surely provide the required guidance to his Indian counterparts. Dr Anders Kaliff associate professor, PhD, Deputy HoD of National Heritage Board, Archaeological Excavations Department of Sweden, was in town on to acquaint his Indian counterparts about the subject. “Those associated with Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) have invited me to be a part of their project on salvage archaeology.  Fortunately, this project is about to begin in Bankata village near Soraon in the district soon,” said Dr Kaliff. He is already working with a group of 150 people in Sweden, admitted that the legislation in Sweden is quite strong and it makes sure that appropriate attention is given to archaeological activities in a bid to protect the cultural heritage of the country. Dr Kaliff said [3]“Basically, salvage archaeology refers to the term where we proceed with the conservation and documentation of significant historical sites while creating awareness among the organisations concerned with the developmental works such as construction of highways, buildings etc. They unknowingly destroy the invaluable antiquities. We also involve them in the archaelogical process since it requires lots of funding. Similar procedure will be adopted in Bankata village and it will be a joint venture hopefully with the national highway authorities“.

 Awareness has to be created about salvage archaeology: He also praised the efforts of Dr Sunil Gupta, convener of INTACH, Allahabad Chapter to make him a part of this important project. “Systematic work is required in the field of ‘salvage archaeology’ in India since we need to make common people aware about its importance and involve them too. India provides the benefit of best documentation since it is enriched with multiple remarkable sites. Both Indian and Swedish colleges could work in collaboration in future,” he added[4]. Dr Kaliff lays much stress on non-destructive methods of archaeology with the use of latest equipment. Besides working in Sweden, Dr Kailff also has fond memories of his years spent in Jordan where he came across the history of Old Testament. “I have been in this profession since I was 18 years old. Indian culture and heritage drew my attention when I was working on the subject of comparative religions,” he added.

Similarities in the cremation rites in India and fire rituals carried out in Scandinavia: According to Dr Kaliff, there are lots of similarities in the cremation rites in India and fire rituals carried out in Scandinavia. “Languages too find similarity. Several words have been derived from Sanskrit language such as Agni in Sanskrit is used as Ignis in Latin,” he added[5].   In his paper, he noted that, A crucial significance for fire as a divine medium, possibly similar to that of the Vedic Agni, seems at any rate to be reflected in the Scandinavian evidence from the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. The different stages of the cremation ritual, fire sacrifices, and other ritual fires, and the deposition of artefacts and bone in the earth and in wetlands, may indicate the complementary significance of the different elements. The ritual significance of pottery may also indicate the occurrence of a sacred drink of significance for the rituals. Even if we cannot know what people in Scandinavia called the gods that were associated with basic phenomena like fire and liquid, they may have great similarities to the Vedic Agni and Soma……… In Scandinavian tradition it is clear that fire as a ritual implement nevertheless continued to be important during the Iron Age and even historical times”. Here, in the Indian context, about his assignment “Depending upon the funding for the Bankata project, the work will start latest by the month of November,” he added.

How infrastructute development projects could affect existing and hidden archaeological monuments and evidences: Rescue is usually associated with danger, excitement and saving lives. But archaeology deals with things that are already dead and have been for some time. In the march towards progress, construction and development projects are cutting, digging, chomping and hacking their way across our lands. Now, disappearing forests, polluted lakes and rivers, destroyed natural habitat and others affect environment. The construction of high-rises, mines, dams and highways are churning up and destroying archaeological sites and treasures of our ancient heritage. Protecting prehistoric sites can involve years of litigation over land acquisition, as well as battling encroachments. And vandalism and theft is rampant across sites and monuments[6]. The ephemeral nature of the sites is a major roadblock to the slow, deliberate pace of fieldwork for prehistoric research, which often spans decades. Much of the land holding the country’s buried past is, however, being disturbed and rapidly transformed for modern development – agriculture, roads, infrastructure, and expanding cities…… the government has pushed for more roads, industrial corridors, and large hydroelectric dams, even proposing changes to existing environmental and archaeological heritage protection legislations to ease the way for businesses[7].

How Vijayapuri at Nagarjunasagr was saved and reconstructed[8]:  Almost 1700 years ago, Vijayapuri (150km south of Hyderabad) was the capital of the Ikshvaku rulers. A large area on the banks of the River Krishna, it was a thriving centre of Buddhism where the famous monk Nagarjuna lived and taught. There were monasteries, shrines, amphitheatres, viharas and a world famous university with monks coming from as far as China and Sri Lanka. In the 1960s, the government decided to make the Nagarjunasagar Dam. The reservoir would flood all the beautiful monuments and remains of this once-thriving capital. Once again, bold archaeologists and engineers excavated all the major monuments, moved them and reconstructed them on a hilltop some distance away. There is a beautiful vihara-shaped museum on an island in the middle of the Nagarjunasagar reservoir. The ‘island’ is the hilltop to which the ancient Vijayapuri was moved. All the major monuments were reconstructed on this island. The rest lie under the waters of the reservoir[9].  Today, all over the world, valiant archaeologists are still battling the forces of progress to rescue valuable treasures from our past. Future generations will be able to marvel at them.

  © K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

14-01-2021

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[1] The Hindu, 200 megalithic graves found on Nagarjunasagar dam bed, T. Karnakar Reddy, NALGONDA:, SEPTEMBER 07, 2015 00:58 IST; UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 07, 2015 13:35 IS

[2] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/200-megalithic-graves-found-on-nagarjunasagar-dam-bed/article7622304.ece

[3] Hindustan Times, On mission ?salvage archaeology?, Padmini Singh,  Updated: Jun 10, 2006, 00:00 IST,

[4] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/on-mission-salvage-archaeology/story-iyWuKUhLHVC6o35OfCf6EN.html

[5] Anders Kaliff, The Vedic Agni and Scandinavian Fire Rituals – A Possible Connection, Current Swedish Archaeology, Vol. 13, 2005, pp.77-97.

[6] The wire, In India, Modern Development Puts Prehistoric Sites at Risk, 16.07.2020

[7] https://science.thewire.in/the-sciences/india-archaeological-heritage-protection-shanti-pappu-sendrayanpalayam/

[8] Deccan Herald, Rescue Archaeology: Saving our heritage, Devika Cariapa, DEC 15 2011, 22:28 IST, UPDATED: DEC 16 2011, 02:35 IST.

[9] https://www.deccanherald.com/content/212001/rescue-archaeology-saving-our-heritage.html

The ruins of an ancient temple unearthed during the highway expansion works at Navelim, in Salcete, Goa

The ruins of an ancient temple unearthed during the highway expansion works at Navelim, in Salcete, Goa

Does salvage archaeology works well in India?: Salvage archaeology, has becoming famous, as such discipline goes to save, redeem and protect all the buried items would get excavated and delivered to safe places for preservation and protection. The word salvage may imply rescue, save, recover, retrieve, reclaim and so on, but, many times, it is not carried on properly, due to many reasons.  Accordingly, Salvage archeology or Rescue archaeology, sometimes called commercial archaeology, preventive archaeology, contract archaeology, or compliance archaeology, is state-sanctioned, for-profit archaeological survey and excavation carried out in advance of construction or other land development. Thus, if the contractors and others involved in the infrastructure development are honestly concerned about it, they could exploit, but, as they want to make quick money and get away from the government, public and other issues, they just suppress and carry on their work to complete, get money and go away. The Navelim temple ruins found at Goa, has been the classical example in this regard.

The condition, situation and status of the parts, pieces and chunks of granite stone of a temple

The doorway of the temple made of black granite

The ruins of an ancient temple unearthed in Goa- June 2020: The ruins of an ancient temple have been unearthed during the highway expansion works at Navelim, in Salcete[1], as reported by the Times of India and other local newspapers. Evidently, it was not attracted the attention of others of other states of India. The Goa State archaeology department was then reportedly approaching the PWD to allow them to supervise the work and salvage the remains, which they fear could become a casualty of the highway if they do not intervene[2]. However, as per the local people the ASI had already taken large portions of the temple in the early 1990s. In other words, the State department must have been aware of the position. Moreover, it was also mentioned in the media that 25 years ago, the Rodrigues family had found a defaced idol probably of Betal, which is installed in their property.  From the Rodrigues family only, the land of from Navelim, had been acquired for the highway expansion. Therefore, the State Archaeology dept. must have taken suitable steps following the principles of “Salvage archaeology,” when the PWD acquired the land for road expansion and strted excavation or digging.

The broken parts and sculptures could be that of 11^th – 14^th centuries and the the architecture is similar to that of the Tambdi Surla temple: The ruins of a temple possibly of the door of the sanctorum of what was of Lord Betal or Lord Shiva were found in Navelim during the highway expansion work[3], thus, the media started reporting. The ruins were found in the land of Rodrigues family from Navelim, which had been acquired for the highway expansion. According to Yogesh Nagvenkar from the History Lovers Group, the temple is between the 11th and 14^th Century during the Kadamba period and the architecture is similar to that of the Tambdi Surla temple[4]. The official confirmed that details from the Archives and Archaeology Department on the period of this temple would be revealed after the inspection of the ruins. It is learnt that 25 years ago, the Rodrigues family had found a defaced idol probably of Betal, which is installed in their property. Sources informed that the artifacts and pieces of the ruins found here will soon have a place for display in a museum planned in a small space in the Mahalasa Temple, Verna. The government will set up the museum. Locals informed that the ASI had already taken large portions of the temple in the early 1990s[5]. Many large stones were taken from the site before we learnt that more stones of the ruins have been found during excavation[6].

Broken parts, part of base

Archaeological experts have denied that this could be an instance of the Portuguese era when new religious structures were erected in place of existing ones: “One of the locals informed us of the remains that look like a temple structure. These were near the Chapel of St Xavier’s close to which the highway expansion project has been going on,” assistant superintendent of archaeology Varad Sabnis said. A joint inspection was conducted last week by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and archaeology department officials. Archaeological experts have denied that this could be an instance of the Portuguese era when new religious structures were erected in place of existing ones. The architecture of the St Xavier chapel is fairly recent, Sabnis said. “The chapel is a newly built one,” he said. “We would like to inspect the site when the work is ongoing to see if there are any more remains. The “denial mode” of te archaeological dept. officials was intriguing, as such happening had been the characteristic of Goa. The remains can be displayed either at the department or at the state museum,” Sabnis said. Sources said that the highway expansion works have currently halted due to the monsoon. The archaeology department is in the process of writing to the PWD to permit them access to the site. Experts estimate that the remains belong to the 13^th or 14^th century. However, an exact date and time stamp is yet to be placed on the find.

The Navelim temple ruins would be taken to museum: The Navelim temple ruins, which are currently in the custody of the department of archaeology, were likely to be shifted to a museum very soon[7]. Sources from the department said the files are moving very slowly, with the financial decisions especially affected due to the pandemic[8]. “We have kept the move on hold, but the remains are safe in our custody. We will be shifting them very soon either to the Goa state museum or some other location in the state that falls under the department of archaeology,” an archaeology official said. “The temple ruins are significant of the state’s architecture, so they will be displayed in the state itself after we decide the location,” the official added. Sources said that following the discovery of the excavated temple ruins, there has been no further find of the monument’s remains. The photos of broken parts, sculptures etc., have been copied from the video[9].

Why archaeologists, historian and other researchers ignore or unaware of these happenings?:  In the case of RJM-BM issue most of the historians, archaeologists, politicians, ideologists and others had been lecturing, tutoring, giving discourses and shouting slogans at WAC, IHC and other forums and even fighting with each others, deposing before the courts giving evidences according to their expertise etc., are silent or not found to make any comments or express their concern.

1. The condition, situation and status of the parts, pieces and chunks of granite stone of a temple prove that the existed temple was definitely demolished.
2. The way they had been wrecked, reduced to rubbles and found buried helter-skelter prove that such action was carried on wantonly.
3. The ruins could not have taken place due to any other reasons, as they were found in shambles, disintegrated and deteriorated, but for the status of granite.
4. The parts taken by the ASI in 1990s and these found at now, are studied together, by putting them to probable position, like zig-saw puzzle, the experts could get a full picture.
5. As more and more infrastructure development activities have started and been going spending hundreds and thousands of crores of rupees, there is nothing wrong in spending few lakhs for “rescue archaeology.”
6. As already many such works had place, it is not known, what were recovered, destroyed or details revealed or suppressed.
7. Even the organizations, Universities and institutions having research on the fields of archaeology, numismatics, art and architecture, history etc., have not taken serious concern and interest in these happenings.
8. In fact, the local students of related subjects could have been taken for field studies, as these areas have been with many such features and sculptures found at remote places.
9. Incidentally, the Goa (Regulation of Land Development and Building Construction) Act, 2008 (Goa Act 6 of 2008) and the Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations, 2010 (Incorporating Amendments upto September, 2018) cover all these activities. In the list, Navelim, Salete Taluka has been covered[10].
10. Therefore, the concerned state and Central archaeological departments must have taken suitable action and inspected the excavations carried or near the places of worship, monuments etc.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

13-01-2021

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[1] Times of India, Temple ruins found during road expansion at Navelim, Nida Sayed | TNN | Jun 29, 2020, 04:28 IST.

[2] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/temple-ruins-found-during-road-expansion-at-navelim/articleshow/76679614.cms

[3] Herald.Goa, Archives Dept to pick old temple ruins found in Navelim,  03 Jul 2020, 05:03am IST

[4] https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Archives-Dept-to-pick-old-temple-ruins-found-in-Navelim-/162541

[5] The Navhind Times, Temple ruins found during highway expansion at Navelim, By Navhind Times, 2020-07-01

[6] https://www.navhindtimes.in/2020/07/01/goanews/temple-ruins-found-during-highway-expansion-at-navelim/

[7] Times of India, Navelim temple ruins may be shifted to museum, TNN | Updated: Nov 12, 2020, 14:25 IST.

[8] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/navelim-temple-ruins-may-be-shifted-to-museum/articleshow/79180646.cms

[9] Yogesh Nagvenkar – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOeSCHS-Tec, tracing link to –

https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/konkani_goa_news_live_today

[10]  The Goa (Regulation of Land Development and Building Construction) Act, 2008 (Goa Act 6 of 2008), p.85.