La vaisselle dans les échanges entre le sous-continent indien et l'Asie du Sud-Est à l'époque protohistorique

Abstract

Abstract Wares in exchanges between the Indian Sub-continent and Southeast Asia in proto- historical times. Notes on some archaeological markers Regional and inter-regional trading networks played a fundamental role not only in the process of state formation in both South and Southeast Asia, but also in the transmission and adoption of Indian cultural features in Southeast Asia. This article discusses a series of wares which help enlighten some aspects of the initiation and evolution of such trading networks. Due to the absence of other reliable sources of information, archaeological items, and more specially wares, constitute an efficient tool to study the formative period of these networks. Three types of Indian wares may be said to belong to a first period (3rd-2nd century B.C. - 2nd-3rd century A.D.). The short delay between the appearance in Indian contexts of these wares and their import or accurate imitation in non-indianised Southeast Asia is one decisive piece of evidence for the intensive trade between the two regions. During the second period, after the 3rd century A.D., Indian wares and those inspired by Indian models are found in larger amounts, in indianised contexts of Southeast Asia. These give an image of fully expanded networks functioning both within and between South and Southeast Asia.