Heritage Science and Society

Archaeometallurgy pertains to the technological study of metallic archaeological artefacts and art objects to gain insights into the manufacturing techniques and history of technology. It can also help in the better classification of archaeological artefacts through studies on provenance and sources of metal.  Archaeometallurgy is increasingly becoming a widely inclusive discipline of archaeology that attempts to trace the history of ancient metal production, distribution and usage in antiquity and the related socio-cultural and economic ramifications. The early metals to be exploited were those that were found in the native state, followed by those that could be smelted or reduced easily from ores, while those that were more difficult to smelt were discovered later. The commonly used metals in antiquity included gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc, and mercury. In the first lecture, Prof Sharada Srinivasan will explore the broader trajectory of the use of metals, and in Indian and particularly south Indian antiquity. The second two lectures point to some highlights of pre-industrial Indian contributions interspersed with insights from surviving craft traditions. These lectures draw on her archaeometallurgical studies on non-ferrous metallurgy in the skilled early use of high-tin bronzes and the making of statuary bronzes to the unique methods of extraction of metallic zinc, and in ferrous metallurgy in the use of wrought iron and high-carbon Steels and to later innovations such as the use of metal-cased rockets. Thus the lectures would point to the significance with respect to a broader global understanding of the history of science and technology.

The Asian elephant has always occupied a prominent place in the art of the Indian subcontinent – from Harappan seals and prehistoric petroglyphs to the later plastic art of Buddhist stupas and temples of the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. In this paper, we discuss the representation of elephants at the Buddhist stupa at Kanaganahalli, in northern Karnataka. Most of the sculptures are in shallow relief, on limestone, and are excellent examples of the quality of early Indian art, offering unique insights into the relationship between humans and the Asian elephant in the early centuries of the Common Era, and the various uses that captive elephants were subject to at the time.

Mirrors are usually synonymous with glass in modern times. Metal mirrors are rare to find in the contemporary age. Yet, Aranmula is a place in Kerala, south of India which is famous for making metal mirrors from the alloy of copper and tin. It is a traditional art practiced by local communities of that village where the entire mirror is handmade. The best part is that the metal mirror is highly polished and carved out in such a manner that it gives an absolute point image with the highest quality of reflectance. This chapter takes its readers to a journey to unveil the history of Aranmula mirrors, its specifications, method of casting, and most importantly the science behind all these spectra to popularise this dying traditional craft of India.

The paper describes the teams field work in the Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve and its implications. The earliest remains go back in the form of caves to the 2nd century CE. Shrines of early medieval antiquity, sculptures, and reservoirs begin in the time of Kalachuri kings (7th century CE till the 13th century CE) and continue into the high medieval with Vaghela fortifications and palace remains (13th century CE onwards).

Delhi has been the center of political history for more than a thousand years. The present Delhi is an amalgamation of seven historical cities: Qila Rai Pithora (QPR) (extension of Lal Kot), Siri, Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanah, Firozabad, Dinpanah (Purana Qila), Shahjahanabad. Few of the forts have lost their contours owing to the growth and rapid urbanization of Delhi after India gained independence.

Delhi has been the center of political history for more than a thousand years. The present Delhi is an amalgamation of seven historical cities: Qila Rai Pithora (QPR) (extension of Lal Kot), Siri, Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanah, Firozabad, Dinpanah (Purana Qila), Shahjahanabad. Few of the forts have lost their contours owing to the growth and rapid urbanization of Delhi after India gained independence.

This study presents a novel weighted-average method (WAM) that captures the detailed nuances of shoreline change patterns over long and short periods by considering shorelines belonging to five different time frames. Using the WAM, the average shoreline modification for the longer period (136 years with intervals of ~ 34 years) and for the shorter period (annual changes over a period of 5 years) have been calculated for the 9 km stretch of the Kollam coast in Kerala, India.

This study presents a novel weighted-average method (WAM) that captures the detailed nuances of shoreline change patterns over long and short periods by considering shorelines belonging to five different time frames. Using the WAM, the average shoreline modification for the longer period (136 years with intervals of ~ 34 years) and for the shorter period (annual changes over a period of 5 years) have been calculated for the 9 km stretch of the Kollam coast in Kerala, India.

This study presents a novel weighted-average method (WAM) that captures the detailed nuances of shoreline change patterns over long and short periods by considering shorelines belonging to five different time frames. Using the WAM, the average shoreline modification for the longer period (136 years with intervals of ~ 34 years) and for the shorter period (annual changes over a period of 5 years) have been calculated for the 9 km stretch of the Kollam coast in Kerala, India.

Hyderabad and Golconda are prominent medieval cities in Deccan India, claiming significant roles in shaping the transformation of the region in the 20th and 21st centuries. This study focuses on defining the contours of Hyderabad’s walled settlement, a fortified structure built around Hyderabad city, the capital of Hyderabad State after the fall of Golconda in 1687.

Hyderabad and Golconda are prominent medieval cities in Deccan India, claiming significant roles in shaping the transformation of the region in the 20th and 21st centuries. This study focuses on defining the contours of Hyderabad’s walled settlement, a fortified structure built around Hyderabad city, the capital of Hyderabad State after the fall of Golconda in 1687.

The present study uses Remote Sensing imagery to identify water features and digital elevation model to generate hydrology maps (catchment and stream maps) and demonstrates the role of historical water harvesting systems in this landscape. The use of hydrology maps has enabled recognising the significance of the seemingly mundane looking, lesser-known small water harvesting structures that dot the landscape, which have sustained the millennium-old reservoir.

This article considers the historical signature in a segment of the Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India, in order to understand how histories of occupation in jungles and wilderness where no settlements presently exist can be studied. 

This chapter discusses the modifications carried out in the landscape of Badami in Karnataka to harvest water for the settlement since its establishment as an Early Chalukyan capital in the seventh century. The chapter also highlights the significance of sacred groves in the historic landscape of Badami. The remnants of fortified walls, temples, water features, and sacred grooves testify to the ingenious engineering systems that existed in the past.

The paper explores female representations going back to the subcontinent's prehistory in Pre-Harappan Baluchistan to south Indian antiquity in a volume in honour of Lithuanian archaeologist Maria Gimbutas known for her writings on feminine representations in Neolithic Europe.

Archaeometallurgy pertains to the technological study of metallic archaeological artefacts and art objects to gain insights into the manufacturing techniques and history of technology and to also the provenance and sources of metal which could help in their classification. The trajectory of some metals used in antiquity is traced in this paper.