National Seminar on Salvage Archaeology and Heritage Management in India held at Meenakshi College, Chennai on November 29th and 30th 2016 [Second day proceedings]

National Seminar on Salvage Archaeology and Heritage Management in India held at Meenakshi College, Chennai on November 29^th and 30^th 2016 [Second day proceedings]

30-11-2016 – the second day proceedings of NSSAHMI-16: First, R. Mani, Conservation Assistant, ASI (Retd) explained how a mantap at Madhavaram was relocated, after dismantling the structure part by part with the cost of Rs. 25 lakhs.  As the people of the areas wanted the mantap to be renovated, the work was carried on. It has been on the way to Tirupati and was constructed for the pilgrims to stay. There was a tank also behind, but, it disappeared. The tanks were constructed near by the Mantap-rest houses or behind for the purposes of pilgrims to carry out morning and daily routines during their stay and proceed. During interaction, the following facts were known:

1. There is no documentation as to how many such mantaps / rest houses for pilgrims constructed are available between two particular pilgrimage centres.
2. The distance between such mantaps could be about 5 kms.
3. Now, many mantaps right in front of temples at srirangam, Tirivannamalai, Kanchipuram and other important religious centres have been illegally occupied by the persons with vested interests and political clout, using them as go-down, workshop, hotel, shop, even as part of house.
4. Though, ASI gives complaints about and against such illegal occupations and encroachments to Police, Revenue officials, no proper action, action is taken.
5. This emboldens Act and Rules violators and make them disrespect the ASI authorities and belittle the Acts and Rules related Archaeological Monuments etc.

Salvage archaeology – P. Venkatesan, Director, Ministry of Tourism: With his experience, he had elaborately dealt with the subject matter. Differentiating between tangible and intangible heritage, he explained the nuances of heritage relating to inheritance, legacy, obtained from forefathers, religious practices, customs, celebrations and so on. After World War – II, as many cities were destroyed and monuments made crumbling conditions, the westerners thought of “Salvage archaeology”.  Urbanization with its building activities etc., has affected the monuments adversely. We should respect the Mother earth “Vasunthara bahuratnaha” [Mother Earth contains many diamonds] as it contains many archaeological treasures. So, whenever, excavations are conducted, they should inform and consult archaeologists, so that such hidden valuable materials are not destroyed. Now, Amaravati has been proposed as the new capital of Andhrapradesh after bifurcation of AP, but, this area has been potential for many hidden archaeological monuments and therefore, they cannot be allowed to be destroyed. Therefore, the CM has constituted a committee with experts of archaeology to investigate about the archaeological potential and protect the monuments. He gave many examples of salvage archaeology applied in the case of Nagarjunakonda, Srisailam, Kudali Sangameswarar, Kurudi Goa [rock-cut temple transplanted], Alampur, etc. “God’s property should not be touched”, he emphasized with proverb and saying.

Heritage City – Kanchipuram – S.  Ramakrishna Pisipaty: With slideshow, he has shown exhaustive archaeological evidences to prove that Kanchipuram city and surroundings were continuously engaged with human activities from neolithic, Mesolithic, megalithic, early historic, and medieval periods. A massive 24-m-long turtle-shaped tomb was excavated from the banks of a lake at Vadamangalm village in Kancheepuram district about 80 km from here. While no human skeletons have been discovered yet, initial findings indicate that the people who had inhabited the ancient megalithic site knew mathematics, astronomy and astrology. Explaining “Panchakanchi”, he pointed out how Jaina, Buddha, Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma belief-systems were existing. With his findings on the Vegavati river, he tried to correlate the archaeological evidences with that of Puranic narratives.

Law and rules for Heritage Conservation – S. Vasanthi, Deputy Superintendent archaeologist (Retd), Tamilnadu State Archaeology: She listed out many Acts and Rules, including the following[1]:

Ancient Monuments Preservation Act 1904

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains [mentioned as AHMASR] Act 1951

AMASR Act 1958

AMASR Rules 1959

AMASR (Amendment and Validation) Act 2010

National Monument Authority Rules, 2011

Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Framing of Heritage Bye laws and Other Functions of Competent Authority) Rules, 2011

Competent Authority Notification

Information on construction activity regulations

1958 and 2010 Acts – Reference

As per the statutory provision, “Ancient Monument” means any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place of interment, or any cave, rock-sculpture, inscription or monolith which is of historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than 100 years and includes— (i) remains of an ancient monument, (ii) site of an ancient monument, (iii) such portion of land adjoining the site of an ancient monument as may be required for fencing or covering in or otherwise preserving such monument, and (iv) the means of access to, and convenient inspection of, an ancient monument; and “Any person who moves any antiquity in contravention of a notification issued under sub-section (1) of section 25 shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees[2]; and the court conviction a person of any such contravention may by order direct such person to restore the antiquity to the place from which it was moved”.

Conservation and preservation of the Monuments in Coastal Areas – J. Soundararajan, Assistant Professor, University of Madras: He too mentioned about Abu Simbel to Nagarjunakonda and then delved upon, temples at Dwaraka, Goa etc. As the monuments on the coasts are easily subjected to soil erosion by sea, change in sea / ocean levels periodically, Tsunami like natural disasters, he explained such instances and the preservation and conservation methods undertaken. There are different natural and manmade factors which are generally considered responsible for different conservation problems and cause damage to the building materials of a monument. Geological and mineralogical defects which develop during the genesis of rocks may be responsible for different conservation problems and consequent damage to the monuments. This is due to inherent weakness of the building materials. There are certain biological factors such as Growth of Moss, Lichen, Algae, Fungi and higher plants on a monument. They not only impart a ugly look to the monument but also cause physical & chemical damaged to the building material. Bat’s and bird’s droppings/excreta cause damage particularly to fine stone works and paintings. Deposit of Bat’s excreta on stone structures in Ajanta Caves caused chemical damages to the structures. Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and other chemically active pollutant species along with dust results in disfiguring of the monument. Similarly variation in climatic conditions, moisture and intense solar radiation are also responsible for the decay of specific building materials. Conservation problems are different for different geographical areas. The monuments of coastal areas face the problem of salt efflorescence. Crystallization of soluble salts in the matrix of stone, plaster, mortar etc. is a major cause of damage to the monument. This disrupts the pore structures of the stone and slowly damages the core of the building material which is difficult to be repaired.

Technical-paper presentation – teacher participation: The “teacher participation”, i.e, those who are teaching in colleges presented their papers. My paper came under this category. I presented my paper, “Salvaging, redeeming and Saving Archaeology and Managing Heritage in the Indian Context”. As only 10-15 minutes were given, I restricted to PowerPoint presentation. I specifically pointed out as to how the archaeological reports of ASI were manipulated by the colonial rulers in the cases of Alois Anton Fuhrer[3], John Marshall[4], George Buhler[5], Vincent Smith[6], R. D. Banerhee[7] based on the official documents. Then, I cited and explained the case of Prof Dr Vincent John Adams Flynn who was arrested, jailed and then deported to his country Australia, for smuggling out many antiquities including valuable coins[8]. From colonial period to the present day, the Indian archaeology and historiography have been subjected to professional bias, ideology and politicization, obviously acting againt Indan Acts, Rules and interests. The issue of Ramajanmabhumi and the WAC-III fights need not be mentioned here, as that have already exposed the position of the archaeologists and historians.  Even after independence, the fields of archaeology, historiography, numismatics, epigraphy and other connected fields have been with constant interference of the politicians. Of course, the archaeologists and historians have also become “politicians” as the Ayodhya case exposed, when they deposed before the court as witnesses. With all responsibilities, they had misrepresented and misled the court and hence they have been reprimanded and censured heavily, as has been recorded in the judgment. From outside, they could carry out propaganda through media with vested interests, but, the legal facts remain facts only. Unless, they are liberated from such factors, they cannot render any service to the society and people.

Valedictory function and distribution of prizes: The paper reading session conducted on 29^th November was indeed a competition held for the Ph.D research  scholars and those awaiting for the Viva Voce, with the condition that “Only the papers to be presented by the research scholars will be considered for best paper award” and the amount fixed was as follows: I prize Rs.15,000 /-, II prize Rs.10,000 /- and III prize Rs. 5,000 /-.  Dr G. Maheswari, Superintendent Archaeologist, ASI was the chief guest for the valedictory function. The prizes were distributed to the winning scholars and certificates to the teachers-participants. The seminar closed with national anthem.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

01-12-2016

[1] All Acts and Rules can be downloaded from here: http://asichennai.gov.in/monuments_acts_rules.html; Some important judgemenets have also been given.

Judgement dt.16th January, 2012 of Hon’ble Supreme Court pertaining to construction activity in the prohibited area of national monuments/sites.

Judgement dt.23rd February, 2011of Hon’ble Madras High Court Madurai Bench pertaining to quarry operation near the national monument at Keezhavalavu, Taluk Melur, District Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Judgement dt.25th January, 2011 of Hon’ble Madras High Court pertaining to construction activity in the prohibited area of national monument at Gangaikondacholapuram, District Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu.

[2] This, she was mentioning as Rs.10/- based on old Act.

[3] A. A. Führer , Antiquities of Buddha Sakyamuni’s Birth-Place in the Nepalese Tarai, Imperial Archaeological Survey Report XXVI (ASI of Northern India Vol. VI), 1898.

[4] Sir John Marshall, An Indian Tiryns and Mycenae: A Forgotten Age Revealed, The Illustrated London News (tabloid in four pages), Vol.165, September 20, 1924.

[5] Charles Allen, The Buddha and Dr Fuhere – An Archaeological Scandal, Has Publishing, London, 2008, see chapter – The Drowning, Lake Constance, 8-9 April 1898, pp.173-200.

[6] Vincent Smith went to Lucknow in September 1898 ‘by order of Government, to enquire into Dr. Führer’s proceedings, and convict him of systematic falsification of his correspondence with several Governments’. In the course of his meeting Smith challenged Führer about his claims to have found an inscribed pre-Ashokan casket: ‘I charged Dr. Führer to his face with that forgery, and he did not attempt to deny it’. Dr. Führer appears to have resigned immediately after the visit. Smith’s account is to be found in ‘Exploration of the Birthplace of Buddha in the Nepal Tarai’, Govt. North-Western Provinces and Oude, PWD Proceedings for August 1899, File No. 49 Misc., 1899, Note 60. ‘Note on the exploration of Kapilavastu, by V. A. Smith, Esq., ICS, dated 3rd January 1898 [sic: 1899]’.

[7] Banerji, Rakhal Das. Mohenjodaro: A Forgotten Report. Prithivi Prakashan, 1984.

[8] Delhi High Court – Mr. V.J.A. Flynn And Mr. Shyam … vs Union Of India (Uoi) And Ors. on 26 November, 2002; Equivalent citations: 2003 (66) DRJ 381, 2003 (86) ECC 129, 2003 (159) ELT 92 Del; Author: S Aggarwal; Bench: D Jain, S Aggarwal. https://indiankanoon.org/doc/924272/

 

National Seminar on Salvage Archaeology and Heritage Management in India held at Meenakshi College, Chennai on November 29th and 30th 2016 [First day proceedings]

National Seminar on Salvage Archaeology and Heritage Management in India held at Meenakshi College, Chennai on November 29^th and 30^th 2016 [First day proceedings]

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Two day National Seminar on Salvage Archaeology and Heritage Management in India: [NSSAHMI-16] was held at Meenakshi College for Women (Autonomous), Kodambakkam, Chennai, on November 29^th and 30^th 2016, at their college premises building at Homi J Bhaba Hall [First floor]. As per the brochure, they wanted to conduct the seminar with focus on the following objectives[1]:

1. To provide with an in-depth and sophisticated understanding of the major contemporary trends in Salvage Archaeology.
2. To highlight the heritage attractions.
3. To provide a platform for Historians and Archaeologists to present their findings.

They wanted to cover, Historic properties (as listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places), Older properties that may have cultural value, but may or may not be eligible for the National Register, Historic properties that have cultural value beyond their historicity, Archaeological graves and cultural items, Shipwrecks, Museum collections, Historical documents, Religious sites, Religious practices, Cultural use of natural resources, Folklife, tradition, and other social institutions, Theater groups, orchestras, and other community cultural amenities. Listing out “Thrust areas” as below, they suggested “who can participate” in the seminar[2]:

1.       Cultural resources management, 2.      Heritage interpretation 3.      Heritage railways 4.      Heritage tourism 5.      Historic preservation 6.      Listed buildings 7.      Monument historique

8.     Museology 9.      Rescue archaeology, 10.  Scheduled Ancient Monument 11.   Space archaeology 12.  World Heritage Sites 13.  Initiative for Heritage Conservancy

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Though American archaeology was explained, the history and archaeology of Indians have not been salvaged and informed: On 29^th November 2016, the seminar was inaugurated by Dr Jagannathan IAS, Director of Museums, Government Museum, Chennai. He explained the importance of history and archaeology and emphasized that students should take up such subjects for research. His tone and tenor exhibited the anxiety of the subjects ignored due to the advancement of Science and technology, new subjects generated related to them, job market available in such fields etc. In facat, he was pointing out such facts by interacting with the students.  Then, S. Suresh[3], Convener for INTACH gave a “key-note” address through his US experience of “Fullbright” visiting scholar program about “salvage archaeology” there in USA. Referring to the “sons of soil” of America as “natives, tribals etc”, he was explaining “Industrial archaeology”, “Commercial archaeology”, “landscape archaeology” etc., obviously forgetting the archaeology of “Pre-Columbian” period! In other words, the history and archaeology of USA, before colonization has not been salvaged, rescued and brought out to the students. To dub indigenous “Native Americans, American Indians or Indians” as “natives, tribals” etc., cannot be justified when the colonial forces destroyed their culture, tradition, heritage and civilization and then starting archaeology to discover the same destroyed factors! The “Christian immigration” through their “Pilgrim fathers” and the horrors of “Pilgrim Progress” need not be explained, but the present generation of India may not be knowing the facts. In fact, the fact why Columbus claimed that he discovered “India” in the West instead of East, exposes many historical facts. Columbus discovered “India” in “America”, because, those West “Indians” looked like East Indians. They looked alike in the sense, most of their factors of tangible and intangible culture, tradition, heritage and civilization had been the same and similar. In fact the so called “East India Company” implies the existence of “West India” and that is nothing but America with the civilizations of Aztec, Maya and Inca. And their history and archaeology salvaged was not pointed by the “key-note” addressor!

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Concept of Salvage Archaeology in Marine Archaeology – N. Athiyaman, Tamil University, Thanjavur: As I have been listening to him and reading his papers for the last 25 years, I could remember his joint paper on anchors discovered and published[4]. So, here he gave the following details about the anchors discovered by them [after explaining salvage archaeology]:

1. In 1986, a stock type iron anchor was salvaged off Thondi at a depth of 10 m,
2. A stock type stone anchor, similar to anchor 1, in heavily rusted condition was salvaged off Mullai Thivu Island near Rameswaram coast at a depth of 8 m,
3. The third anchor, made of black granite (Figure 9) found on shore, about 100 m from the sea, was used as a fencing stone near a mosque at Vedalai, 5 km west of Mandapam village.
4. The fourth anchor, made of sandstone, trapezoidal in shape having only one circular apical hole 15 cm from the top is found lying in situ near the backwater area called in Tamil as kappalaru (kappal > ship, aru > river) at the coastal village of Periapattinam.
5. A mooring stone, looking like an anchor, made of greywacke sandstone found at Threspuram, a suburb of Tuticorin, planted vertically in the beach about 15 m from the shore line, is even now used for mooring the fishing boats.

The weight of the anchors is calculated based on the computation of the volume of the anchor, deducting the hole portions and multiplying it with the density of the anchor. Kolunski has given the following equation for computing tonnage of vessel from the anchors recovered (assuming they served as the main anchor of the respective vessel) G = 9 D ^2/3, where G is the anchor weight in kilograms and D is displacement in tons[5]. Interestingly, all these anchors have been of later medieval period. Though, the Tamils were reportedly having the rich maritime tradition, none of the material evidences have been found. In fact, for the much acclaimed maritime activities of the Cholas, no such evidences have been found. No interaction / discussion were allowed after his presentation.

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Keeladi Excavation – K. Amarnath Ramakrishna, Superintendent Archaeology, ASI: I was listening to him for third time. He and his team have discovered a habitat civilzation on the banks of Vaigai through “river based excavation”, after identifying 293 sites, and discovered about 170 sites for one year excavation conducted within five kilometres from the river on both the banks, starting from the place of Vaigai’s origin in Theni district to the very end of the river in Ramanathapuram district. The places were classified as granaries, trading points, ports, habitation sites and living or dilapidated temples. Excavations were carried out at Varushanad in Theni and Azhagankulam in Ramnad. Beads of agate, Carnelian and quartz indicate that they had trade link with countries like Rome. The Tamil Brahmi letters found on pottery is all names of individuals such as, Thisan, Aadhan and Udhiran. They are typical Sangam Age Tamil names. By discovering “habitat sites”, he proved the existence of city formation during the first centuries of current era in the ancient Tamizhagam.  “Through comparative dating, we place this site to be belonging to the 3rd Century B.C., which is over 2,500 years ago. However, the exact age can be arrived at only after carbon dating,” says Amarnath, who has worked on excavations in research of Indus Valley Civilization in parts of Gujarat. He answered the querries raised and points clarified.  He confirmed that the bricks used here did not follow decimal system and cannot be comapared with IVC, however, it was also a “rice based civilization.”

Salvage Archaeology and epigraphical studies – S. Rajavelu, Tamil University, Thanjavur: Interestingly, he game many details about Indian history, the way it was written by the Britishers. He refuted that “real history work” is Rajatarangani, as the British did not use the data available in that work, but, partially.  He pointed out that the date of Asoka as per the work is datable to 700 BCE. As an expert epigraphist, he pointed out that “kovil” was known as “devakulam” and explained how the old inscriptions were preserved by the Chola rulers. One Pallava inscription mentions about Mahendra Varman’s personal doctor was preserved by the Cholas by incrporating in their temple and recording as “pazhangarpadi” [old inscription copy]. Inscriptions were also amended like “Constitution” according to times, pointing out as to how the Uttirameruur inscription dated 917 CE was amended in 921 CE. Sembian Madevi renovated many temples by converting them bricks to granite to withstand more time. She relocated Nandivarman-III inscription salvged from underwater. While Rajarajan renovated Kutralam temple, he changed the script of inscription from vattezhuthu to then current usage-script. The Allahabad pillar contains Asoka, Chandra Gupta and Shahjahan inscriptions proving the importance of the pillar. Really, he proved that salvage archaeology was followed in India by the Indian rulers.

Heritage management – Problems and perspectives – P. D. Balaji, HOD, Dept.of Ancient History and archaeology, University of Madras: After explaining Salvage archaeology, he started narrating how the renovating, preservation works were carried on to resurrect the monuments from Egypt to India. E listed put many factors for the slow decaying, crumbling and falling down of monuments –  Saline Action on Walls and stones, Sculptures, Roots and Vegetation, Trouble caused by Animals and Bats, fungus, Negligence, Humidity, vandalism etc. He gave the interesting example of Sambal where crumbled temples have been resurrected. He also pointed out the renovation work carried on by ASI and others through sand blasting, painting, white-washing,  plumbing, electrical wiring, covering walls and floor with mosaic, granite etc., virtually destroys the traditional aesthetics, mutilates inscriptions and rapes the sculptures.

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Technical-paper presentation: Afternoon, research scholars presented their papers. The “salvage archaeology” has confused some of them in general, as connotes, save, recover, rescue, retrieve, reclaim, etc. right inside Chennai, how many monuments are disfigured, misused and destroyed has been pointed out with some examples. Many times, the paper presenters either tried to bring varied issues together in the context or interpreting travel and tourism aspects giving data about tourism. However, how hundreds of temples in and around Chennai have been in ruins and they are neglected, while lakhs and crores are spent on the “European / colonial” monuments under the same bogey of “monuments”!

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

01-12-2016

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[1] Four page brochure circulated at the “Rajendra Chola” seminar held at the Madras University on October 21^st and 22^nd 2016.

[2] http://www.tamilnaducollegeevents.in/2016/11/nssahmi-16-national-seminar-on-salvage.html

[3] 30-35 years back, he was my friend and we aere corresponding through letters in those days abut his articles appeared in newspapers. I have his letters in my files.

[4] N. Athiyaman and P. Jayakumar, Ancient anchors off Tamil Nadu coast and ship tonnage analysis ship tonnage analysis, CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 86, NO. 9, 10 MAY 2004.

[5]  The full paper can be downloaded from here: http://www.iisc.ernet.in/currsci/may102004/1261.pdf