It’s a book review on the recently published Teaching Archaeology: Lewis R. Binford in the Classroom edited by Nancy Medaris Stone and K. Paddayya by Aryan Books International, New Delhi in 2020.

We have evaluated the <em>proto-indica</em> model that is the proponent of multiple domestication of rice but a single origin of the key genes in <em>japonica</em>. Attainment of non-shattering, a marker; appeared least integral to the initial phases of domestication. The other archeological determinants were less discernible in specimens. Existence of the key domestication genes in the wild rice and absence of introgression signature in <em>indica</em> further weakened the hypothesis. Moreover, <em>japonica</em> introduction from China happened in a backdrop of a culture exploiting domesticated rice. Summarizing, we propose that <em>proto-indica</em> model has a little bearing on rice domestication.

The archaeological inquiries in Trans-Salt Range Zone of northern Punjab, Pakistan have unveiled the multifaceted data for the cultural development of the Early Harappan-Kot Diji phase of Indus Civilization during third millennium BC. Up until now, the urbanism of Indus Civilization is missing in the area while absolute dating at Sarai Khola, Jhang-Bahater &amp; Hathial, has shown that Kot Diji phase has evolved in the Trans-Salt Range Zone parallel to Harappan phase of Indus Plains. The latterly found Kot Diji phase Mohra site in the area further strengthens this cultural phenomenon. This article will propose the data for the late development of Kot Diji phase at Mohra and its connection to other adjacent sites in a more wide spread context.

Stable isotopes of lighter elements are frequently used to understand diet and ecology of ancient population in the western world. In India however, in spite of the infrastructure being available for stable isotope analysis, its usage to date is limited to geological and oceanographical studies. Its applications in investigating archaeological questions are still uncommon. Stable isotopes can be used to satisfy various hypotheses pertaining to an archaeological site in multiple ways. In this article, taking two recent stable isotope studies into consideration (one based on human teeth and another on faunal teeth), the scope and limitations of use of stable isotope analysis in archaeology are extended in detail. The differences in selection of samples, sampling procedures, methodologies and interpretations while working on human as against faunal teeth are discussed discretely. Publisher's note: The citations and reference for Kalwankar (2013) were originally published with the incorrect date, and they have been corrected on 25/09/2020.

Fresh investigation carried out in the southern part of Bonaigarh subdivision of Sundargarh district, Odisha, brought to light some very significant dimensions of lithic celt production sites located in the village Sulabhdih and its surrounding region. Not only valley floors and foothills, but slope and top of hills were also utilized for mass production of semi-finished celts, particularly chisels and adzes. Our study suggests that mass production of these craft specialized semi-finished items were probably intended for not only local use at settlement areas where these were further modified into finished products, but these were presumably transported to different regions of highland Odisha and also beyond through trade and/or exchange network. Although no datable material could be recovered during our limited section scrapping, keeping in view available dates from within Odisha, Jharkhand and Karnataka, these sites are tentatively dated to the beginning of second millennium BCE. The present paper intends to bring out some new aspects of celt production in the southern part of Bonaigarh subdivision, hitherto unknown in Odisha and other parts of the sub-continent.

The region of Guwahati that has been identified with the ancient city of Pragjyotishapura has a rich cultural heritage primarily in the form of material remains. The city, being adorned with a large number of temples provides testimony of the role of patronage in facilitating the establishment of these religious establishments. The temples are adorned with sculptures that throw valuable light on the nature of prevalent religious beliefs. In analysing the significance of the material culture towards understanding the history of the region, mostly it is associated with accidental discoveries. The Ambari archaeological site, located in the heart of Guwahati provides rich evidence of finds in the form of terracotta objects, pottery and sculptures. The significance of the site was the outcome an accidental discovery while the construction of the building of the Reserve bank of India was being undertaken. This paper is an attempt to highlight the sculptures recovered from the Ambari archaeological site, followed by a discussion on the style and iconographic aspects of the sculptures as well as tracing their local characteristics.

Narada is one of the most admired characters in ancient Indian literature and mythology. He has been associated with numerous aspects of Indian life like music, architecture, art, law, justice, storytelling, agriculture and devotion. This versatile and adroit nature of Narada made him very popular among different ethnic, linguistic, religious groups and geographical regions of India. This paper is an attempt to document the sculptural depictions of Narada across the country and to identify and designate its iconographical features. The authors have tried to understand the regional varieties among the sculptural illustrations of Narada. This paper also looks into the symbolism behind the attributes and icons of Narada in view of the regional variations in legends and mythologies.

Who among the orientalists can tell you about the Nizārī Ismā’īlī mission in the Indian Subcontinent with utmost historical conviction? Owing to the paucity of authentic historical documents, scholars have generally kept their face turned towards the Ismā’īlī history outside of the boundaries of South Asian regions. Books on the Nizārī Ismā’īlī mission in the Indian Subcontinent are published rarely. In fact, one would find no more than 5 to 10 scholarly books on the aforementioned subject. Thus, it is worth stressing on this juncture that books like “Ismaili Pirs, Vakils and Sayeds” are worth reviewing academically. Precisely speaking, in this review I would analyze and evaluate the content, structure, research methodology etc of the book “Ismaili Pirs, Vakils and Sayeds” by Mumtaz Ali Tajddin Sadik Ali (A writer from the Ismā’īlī community).

In 1969 an early Jaina inscription was discovered from Pale cave, Taluka Mawal, District Pune, Maharashtra, by H.D. Sankalia and Shobhana Gokhale, Pune (1971: 67–69). It was an important discovery of an early Jaina inscription in western India. While studying the Pale inscription, both the authors had cited that “There must be many more such inscriptions, which need to be discovered.” Recently an inscription is noticed in one of the small rock-cut excavations group in fort Lohogad, Lohagadwadi by a group of trekking and exploration enthusiasts. While observing this inscription, it proposes some early characteristics of Brāhmī script. It is significant to mention that the Lohagadwadi inscription starts with ‘Namo arahaṁtānaṁ’ and the donor’s name Idarakhita. Interestingly, the inscription shows close affinity to the Pale cave inscription and proposes to be an important early inscription of Jainism in Maharashtra by the same donor mentioned in the Pale inscription. Probably, a small cave complex of Lohagadwadi, as primarily described in this article, dates back to the early rock-cut activity of Jainism in Maharashtra.