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

Salvage Archaeology, in the Indian context: Some specific examples discussed(1)

Salvage Archaeology, in the Indian context: Some specific examples discussed(1)

How Salvage archaeology has been developed?: Development as a result of urban, agricultural, forestry or mining activity has drastically threatened archaeological sites. If that is the case, in India, such developmental activities had been going on for thousands of years, as could be noted from the well-planned cities of IVC (Indus Valley Civilization), SVC (Saraswati Valley Civilization), GVC (Ganges Valley Civilizations) and other areas. Of course, the digging of wells, ponds, lakes and such water resources had been on-going process, whether in rural or urban areas. Salvage archaeology is often necessary in order to collect data before a works process destroys an archaeological site forever. Salvage archaeology has developed as a reaction to the numerous threats affecting archaeological resources, such as modern development, destruction from natural disasters, vandalism, looting during conflict and the illicit trafficking of cultural property. Definitely, such threats have been developing since medieval period, when certain people started claiming that their belief systems alone were original, fundamental and superior to others. There had been groups claiming as “iconoclasts,” who had been destroying the idols, sculptures and artifacts of others. Therefore, such characteristic features also should be studied in the context. The terms ‘salvage’ and ‘emergency’ excavation were first used in the 1950s and 1960s when post-war development was proceeding rapidly and there was a need for archaeological conservation policies to be developed.

Defining the concept of Salvage Archaeology[1]: Salvage archaeology, as an archaeological methodology, is known by different names in academic and professional environments. Internationally, especially in the United Kingdom, the term ‘rescue’ or ‘crisis’ archaeology is often applied. More commonly in Australia however, ‘salvage’ archaeology or to a lesser extent ‘preventive’ archaeology is more commonly used. Then, in Indian context, it covers many aspects, as India has suffered from many such crises, demolitions and destructions. All four names, in one manner or another, seem to express the urgency that underpins the nature of this type of excavation work.

• Renfrew and Bahn (2008:584) define the concept of salvage archaeology as: ‘The location and recording (usually through excavation) of archaeological sites in advance of highwayconstruction, drainage projects or urban development.’
• However, salvage excavations are not always conducted within the urban environment, and should also include those operations which have commenced as a result of agricultural, forestry or mining activity.
• Timothy Darvill (2008:351) presents another definition of salvage archaeology in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology. This definition notes that:

… because salvage archaeology is threat-led, it is only rarely possible to be selective about what is examined, and time constraints often mean that many of the more refined techniques of data recovery cannot be deployed.

• Terms such as ‘rescue archaeology’ or ‘preventative archaeology’ are also often used interchangeably when referring to salvage excavation projects. Jones (1984:2) defines rescue archaeology as: ‘archaeological research undertaken to survey or excavate monuments, sites, groups of sites, even extensive surviving ancient landscapes threatened with serious alteration or destruction.’

Few modern examples of Salvage archaeology: When Egypt built the High Dam at the First Cataract to increase the irrigation capacity and the production of electrical power, Lower Nubia, a part of the Nile valley which is exceedingly rich in antiquities, was inundated. The project threatened one of the biggest free air museums in the world with annihilation. The technical and financial achievements in connection with the salvage of the temples especially the two· rock temples of Abu Simbel have been described, discussed and debated by many[2]. In the Inter-Agency Archaeological Salvage Program[3], conducted in USA, it has been explained as to how the area was surveyed, 54 sites identified then excavations started and many petroglyphs, pottery (beautifully painted, designed), bowls, vessels including used for rituals, potsherds, projectiles, shells, shell-articles, copper bells, clay figurines, artifacts of stone, ceramics, and metal, charred cloth, and others recovered and saved.

Examples of salvage archaeology – carried on India: In India, for salvage archaeology, the following have been cited as examples:

• Sardar Sarovar Dam Project,
• the Nagarjunasagar Dam,
• Sri Sailam project
• During the construction of the Narmada Sagar Dam, along with the destruction of the settlement area of the tribal population and the devastation of ecology, a number of archaeological sites had also gone under water. Among these, were a large number of prehistoric sites
• Sinking work on Kuano River Bridge Bankata Ghat between Khajni Vidhan Sabha and Dhanghata Vidhan Sabha in Distt Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
• Sendrayanpalayam village, Attirampakkam even Kizhadi are not protected.

These are only for illustrative purpose and not exhaustive, as perhaps India has millions  of chalcolithic, megalithic, Neolithic and other sites all over the country. And millions of temples monuments and forts have been surviving at remote places without any protection. People visit rarely such remote places, either due to enthusiastic curiosity or for some specific field study.

How government has been helpless in many cases are also pointed out:  It is not that the central government has not been able to control the activities taking place, but, the regionalism, many times react with sectarianism, racism, linguistic jingoism and so on wit tall and exclusive claims.

• In 2018, an independent researcher highlighted that construction of a government medical college and a hospital had begun on an important prehistoric site in Maharashtra before the area could be studied in detail. And in central India, a site called Hathnora, which has yielded the oldest known human ancestor fossil in the country, lies unprotected on the banks of the Narmada River, threatened by erosion and relentless human bustle.
• In 2018, ASI eased the restrictions. If Someone had filed a plea to deprotect the site, the court then would ask ASI to investigate and give details of the site, After some trial excavations, the ASI submit to the court that although the site has been encroached, it has archaeological potential to remain. While researchers are fencing off some areas, they cannot protect the whole site. Several  versions of this conflict over land have played out across the country.
• Across the country, the ASI struggles to find the resources to manage heritage sites. And without adequate protection, sites are frequently vandalized and artifacts and fossils stolen for personal collection or sale.
• In 2019, India’s minister of culture and tourism, Prahlad Singh Patel, told the upper house of parliament that more than 300 monuments and sites listed as protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the government body that manages the country’s archaeological heritage, had been encroached in some form.
• In eastern India, multiple former prehistoric sites located in the Ayodhya hills of West Bengal are now agricultural fields. The only prehistoric areas that haven’t been transformed are those on very rugged terrain where tilling the land is hard.

India’s past is disappearing rapidly: With sites holding the evidence of India’s past rapidly disappearing, researchers worry about whether complex questions about humankind’s distant past can be answered. “We cannot say we don’t want this development because people’s welfare and development is equally important,” says Paddayya. But given the scale of that development, “a lot of the sites are getting destroyed.” This apathy towards prehistoric sites and artifacts, stems from a lack of awareness about what prehistoric sites. Prehistoric sites tend to be subtle, lacking the tangible, attractive features, nobody pays any attention. Correcting that would require a massive awareness program. The concern of these archaeologists is appreciated, but, when they were in service, they were keeping silent only or carrying out their duties faithfully and diligently satisfying their masters. No doubt, they can continue to campaign and create awareness among the public, but the disciplines of archaeology, history and historiography should be free from bias, prejudice and manipulations.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

14-01-2021

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[1] Christian Fielder, Current Techniques of Using Salvage Archaeology, New South Wales,  2013.

[2] Torgn, Y Save-Soderbergh, International Salvage Archaeology-Some organizational and technical aspects of the Nubian campaign, ALMQVIST & WIKSELL, Stockholm, 1972.

[3] William W. Wasley, and Alfred E. Johnson, Salvage archaeology in Painted rocks, The University of Arizon Press, Tuscon, 1965.

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.

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