Sirpur (Lat. 21° 25’N, Long. 82° 11’E) is a small village on the right bank of Mahanadi in the Mahasamund District of Chhattisgarh. It is an important archaeological site and archaeological excavations at Sirpur revealed that it was an important centre of Mahayana Buddhism in Central India. Numerous bronze images of the Buddha and Buddhist deities such as Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, Tara etc. were found from Sirpur. In this paper, an attempt has been given to discuss the sculptural and iconographic bronze images of Tara from Sirpur. A comparative study of these Tara images with the Tara bronze images found in other Buddhist sites of India has been carried out. The article will highlight the iconographic features of the Buddhist goddess Tārā and her importance in the contemporary religious settings during the 5^th–6^th centuries CE.

The present work engages with a comparative study of the Oraon Folklore and their Rock Art for assessing how both these genres seemingly record the geo-cultural history of Oraon origin, their forced migrations and their current state of habitations in another Indian state Jharkhand. It attempts to establish a relation between archaeological data available in the form of rock art supplemented by written accounts and local traditions wherever possible. Based on field works, personal interactions with local inhabitants, especially on important events like, marriage, festivals, rituals etc., and archeological scrutiny of rock art available in the Oraons’ previous habitation, i.e., the Kaimur Region in current Indian state of Bihar, the paper attempts to expose the historical value and cultural parallelism of Oraons’ folk narratives and rock art. The paper strongly believes that both these genres conspicuously display the cultural history of a marginalized tribe that has undergone several historical and cultural ordeals. Besides this, the paper also offers, for the first time, an English translation of Oraons’ oral folklore, adhering to the interdisciplinary approach of this paper. However, most significantly, the paper in its attempt to trace the continuity of rock art in this Kaimur Region also becomes an addition to the domain of ethno-rock art studies.

The southern part of Manipur bordering Myanmar reveals petroglyphs and represents an ideal region for studying archaeological remains and human artistry heritage. This paper is an introduction to three petroglyphic rock art assemblages located in the Indo-Myanmar frontier. Comparisoned with dated archaeological materials of adjoining areas, the engraved figures ranges from pre-historic arts to the pre-colonial era of the region. The engraved figures are thematically organized, and contextualized within the subject matter. It argues that the engraved figures like beads, gongs, ponies, and guns are evidence to trade relations with the rest of the world since time immemorial. The motifs were analysed using select colonial ethnographic works, oral literature, folklores, tales current in and around the Indo-Burma frontiers.

The Ghaggar river which is also known as ancient Sarasvati river is noted for her mysterious disappearance. The scholars from different field are studying the river channel since the 18th century. Archaeologists were intrigued by the Ghaggar river channel due to the presence of archaeological sites all along the river basin. Explorations in the past resulted in locating hundreds of archaeological sites, particularly Harappan culture sites. A large number of Harappan sites along Ghaggar banks is evidence that Harappan culture flourished richly on Ghaggar river than on Indus river. The present research focuses on the middle reaches of Ghaggar river where the author conducted a systematic exploration to revisit previously reported sites and report new sites in the process. The main objective of this research paper is to discuss the site distribution pattern of explored sites in the region and to come up with probable explanations for the distribution pattern of the sites.

In the general context of rescue archaeology or in any emergency salvage operation, especially where human bones are involved that need to be cremated within a short time frame, anthropologists cannot conduct their work carefully at a university or institute lab. Thus, they have sought ever-more efficient and effective investigative protocols by which work can be conducted in cases of urgent time constraints. A recent anthropological survey conducted at a small town in South Korea (Goryeung) is thus significant. A joint team of anthropologists and dress historians performed collaborative research work in a “field lab” set up at the excavation site. Our novel protocol, by which academic data demonstrably can be successfully secured in the field instead of having to be sent to a university or institute lab, could be useful for the purposes of rescue archaeology.

The carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of tooth enamel is connected to the diet and environment in which it develops. Enamel is invariably preserved for a long time and hence provides the best material for chemical analysis. Teeth are known to reflect a record of dietary and environmental changes taking place during their growth. This paper presents the results of intra-tooth oxygen and carbon isotope values (δ¹⁸O,δ¹³C) of first, second and third molars obtained from five modern cattle collected from two locations: Dhansi and Hathnora from the Central Narmada Valley, India. The specimens chosen for this study are individuals presumed to have died naturally and/or disposed of by local farmers. The isotopic analysis of tooth enamel is broadly indicative of a C₃ diet with values of δ¹³C (enamel bioapatite) ranging from –6.4‰ VPDB to –27.31‰ VPDB with an average of –16.68‰ VPDB. The δ¹⁸O values measured in the enamel samples range between of 1.76‰ to 25.15‰ with a mean value of 22.17‰ VSMOW. These present day dental enamel values of modern cattle were compared against the published enamel isotope values of <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Bos namadicus</span>, that occupied this region during the Pleistocene era, in order to understand the possible shift in diet and environment and their inter-relationship between the modern and the Pleistocene Era. The fossil sample produced enriched values of carbon isotopes compared to the modern taxa, indicating a C₄ rich diet, while the diet of the modern cattle is extensively dominated by C₃ type vegetation. We also observed an enriched oxygen isotope values for the fossil sample compared to the modern samples, indicating a possible effect of diagenesis and/or a shift in the temperature and rainfall.

The figure of the <em>kīrtimukha</em> or ‘glory- face’ is an artistic motif that appears on early Indian art and architecture, initially as a sacred symbol and then more commonly as a decorative element. In Assam, the motif of <em>kīrtimukha</em> is seen crowning the stele of the stray icons of the early medieval period. The motif also appeared in the structural components of the ancient and early medieval temples of Assam. The Kapili-Jamuna valley, situated in the districts of Nagaon, Marigaon and Hojai in central Assam houses innumerable rich archaeological remains, especially temple ruins and sculptures, both stone and terracotta. Many such architectural components are adorned by the <em>kīrtimukha</em> figures, usually carved in low relief. It is proposed to discuss the iconographic features of the <em>kīrtimukha</em> motif in the art of the Kapili-Jamuna valley of Assam and also examine whether the iconographic depictions of the <em>kīrtimukha</em> as prescribed in canonical texts, such as the <em>Śilpaśāstras</em> are reflected in the art of the valley. Pan Asian linkages of the <em>kīrtimukha</em> motif will also be examined.

This paper explores the architecture of bāravas, which are stepped ponds, built traditionally in western India for storing and fetching groundwater. It attempts to understand their architecture, construction technique and spatial qualities through case examples of two bāravas found in Pune, built during the 14th century. The data is obtained mainly through field research carried during November 2018 and documented in the form of field notes, sketches, maps, photographs and drawings. Secondary sources of literature such as books, journal articles, gazetteers and translations of old Samskrut texts in English and regional language Marathi were useful to crosscheck and supplement the observations made on the field. The findings reveal that bāravas are location-specific, adhere to the hydro-geological conditions of the site, and make the invisible groundwater visible to the users. They transcend their utilitarian function and also serve as interactive community spaces. In conclusion, the paper highlights the need to document, revive and reuse bāravas so that they once again become a visible part of the settlement fabric as community spaces and encourage people to share and value groundwater.

This paper examines the morphological growth of Garut City in historical perspective. To achieve this goal, this study used a historical method that includes four stages, namely heuristics, criticism, interpretation, and historiography. Garut city has been known as a tourist destination since the Dutch colonialism and became the main residential area of Europeans living on the island due to the existence of plantations in the South Garut region. These conditions make Garut City an urban area that has special features compared to other urban areas in Garut Regency. This study aims at addressing the following question: 1) How does the population influence the physical changes (morphology) of Garut City? 2) How was the railroad construction in Garut City during the Dutch colonial period? And 3) How is the influence of cosmology on the spatial layout of Garut City? The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of population growth on the physical changes (morphology) of Garut city. The study seeks to explain the road traffic of Garut City and the factors that influenced spatial planning. The results showed that Kota Intan was the early name for Garut City, the center of government, economy, education, social, and culture of Garut Regency. The results also revealed that despite its rapid and dynamic morphological growth, Garut City still shows some traditional and colonial characteristics. Although its ancient road network is made in a way that does not interfere with the activity or movement of goods and services, its high population growth and development inequality prevent it from running properly.

In maritime archaeological studies, anchors made of stone, wood, or metal have played a significant role in shipping, not only acted as a proxy during the period of their use but also suggesting maritime connections with other countries. Anchors of different types have discovered all over the world which used in the vessels engaged in carrying cargo, passengers as well as warships. Iron anchors were introduced in India by the European rulers, and later on, were manufactured in different parts of India. Like the stone anchors, different types of iron anchors have been recorded during onshore explorations as well as underwater sites with and without shipwreck remain along the Indian coast. In recent past, coastal explorations along Tamil Nadu coast brought to light two iron anchors at Tuticorin harbour while other two anchors displayed at the Government Museum, Egmore, Chennai. Both the iron anchors of Tuticorin harbour belong to Trotman type. In contrast, the iron anchors of the Government Museum, Egmore, belong to Old plan Long shanked Anchor (Admiralty Long Shanked) and Admiralty pattern anchor. This paper details a comprehensive study of these iron anchors and a comparative survey of the iron anchors of Tamil Nadu as well as India.