Format: Paper presentations with discussion
Convenors:
Palitha Gunawardena, Sri Lanka Health Telematics, Sri Lanka, drpalitha@gmail.com
Pravesh Kumar Srivastava, Dept of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, pksaihc@gmail.com
This session provides a forum for sharing, debating and comparing the results of recent archaeological work around the globe. With studies spanning South Asia, the Near East, Africa, and the Americas, the session emphasises the importance of regional surveys, material analysis, and comparative frameworks in constructing nuanced histories of technological innovation, ritual practice, economic exchange, and cultural interaction across ancient societies.
Papers:
Unearthed Medical Instruments: An Insight to Surgical Practices in Ancient Sri Lanka
Palitha Gunawardena, Sri Lanka Health Telematics, Sri Lanka
The earliest evidence of surgical practice dates back 6500 BCE with the record found in ancient Mesopotamian clay tablets. Ancient surgical practices in Sri Lanka were deeply rooted in the indigenous medical system which was heavily influenced by the Hela Wedakama and the Ayurveda that originated from India. The archaeological excavations at Mihintale and Alahana Pirivena have revealed fascinating surgical instruments, showcasing the advanced medical practices of ancient Sri Lanka. Mihintale Hospital in the ancient city of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka dates back to the 3rd century BCE believed to be one of the oldest hospitals in the world which practiced surgery as part of its advanced medical care. The surgical instruments found at Mihintale are similar to those used by the pioneers in battlefield medicine, the Romans. The archaeological findings of surgical instruments at Alahana Parivena hospital site for monks in the Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka is dated back to 12th century AD. Many kinds of surgical instruments were unearthed from those hospital sites. This presentation explores those surgical items and other medical instruments and tries to give an insight in to the kinds of surgeries that practices in those hospitals in the ancient times in Sri Lanka.
The Untold Anecdote of PGW Culture (In Light of the Recent Excavation at Kaserua Khera, Distt. Palwal, Haryana)
Dr Gunjan Kumar Srivastava, Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India, India
This paper presents a brief summary of findings from the recent excavation at Kaserua khera, Village Manpur, Distt. Palwal, Haryana, India. The mound at Kaserua Khera has a 3-fold cultural sequence, but for the present purpose we are concerned with the lowermost cultural deposit, i.e., the PGW period. The Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture succeeded the late Harappan Cultures and OCP/ BRW cultures and the pottery is characterised by a style of fine grey pottery painted with geometric patterns in black and this culture is associated with village and town settlements. From excavation new facts about the PGW culture have come to light, such as the depiction of animals and flowers, incised decorations on PGW sherds and a grey colour Dish-on-Stand that have been reported for the first time from any site. The most interesting feature noted during the excavation is a huge patch (20m x 1m) which was possibly a ceremonial place. This patch contained a good quantity of PGW sherds, associated red ware sherds, vitrified clay, a large quantity of animal bones (both charred and otherwise), ash content, etc. Many clay lumps with reed impressions indicate the possibility of a super-structure over it.
Cultural Interactions Between Jiroft and Harappan Civilisation in the Middle of 3rd Millennium BCE: A Comparative Study
Dr Neda Amirmahmoudi, Dept of Archaeology, University of Jiroft, Iran
This study investigates the cultural affiliations between the Jiroft Culture (JC) of southeastern Iran and the Harappan Civilisation (HC) of the northwestern Indian subcontinent, focusing on glyptic art as a key medium of interaction. While JC, a Bronze Age culture (3300–2900 BCE), flourished along the Halil River, the HC (2600–1900 BCE) was a well-established urban civilisation with advanced town planning, standardised weights, and intricate drainage systems. This research is based on newly excavated materials from the Halil River Basin and previously documented findings from both civilisations. A detailed examination of seal iconography, artistic techniques, and motifs from the 3rd millennium BCE reveals notable similarities. Various stamp seals made of bronze, terracotta, alabaster, and white stone, along with similar wares, were found in both cultures. Notably, motifs such as the unicorn, zebu bull, and crocodile—previously associated exclusively with HC—were also identified on Iranian seals. These parallels suggest cultural exchanges facilitated by trade networks via land and maritime routes. By analysing these symbols, the study highlights the transfer of ideas and artistic traditions across vast geographical regions, shedding light on the interconnected nature of these highly developed urban systems
Archaeological Survey of the Awaran District, Balochistan
Zahir Hussain, Field Officer, Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Balochistan; Dept of Archaeology, University of Peshawar
Jalil Akbar, Field Officer, Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Balochistan
In Balochistan the efforts of foreign scholars like Stein, de Cardi, Raikes, Dales, Fairservis, Jarrige, Besenval and Franke, etc., along with more than a century of archaeological activities, including surveys and excavations, present an understandable picture of ancient Balochistan. However, it was the ground-breaking excavations at the earliest settlement of South Asia Mehrgarh in Kachi-Bolan, Balochistan, dating to c.7000 BCE, from which the origins of the Indus Civilisation were traced; previously, it was believed otherwise. Despite these works, gaps remain, such as in Awaran district, Balochistan. In 1928, Stein was the only one who surveyed along the main routes of Awaran district, leaving a large area unexplored. The current study focuses on a short, systematic and focused survey of western Awaran, with 46 sites in the area, most of which are new discoveries. These multi-period sites date from chalcolithic (c.5000 BCE) to historic periods and include mounds (settlements, workshops, and cairns) ancient dams (gaurbands), historic forts and rock art sites. Notably, a new function of these ancient dams has been recorded: collecting clay to make terracotta objects; they are still in use for cultivation today. Apart from different period pottery types—Kili Gul Mohammad, Togau, Kechi Beg, Naal, Kulli, Londo, etc.—figurines, metal rings, a metal stamp, and beads have been documented from surface collection. The data help in understanding settlement patterns, cross-cultural interactions and utilisation of resources. The results, furthermore, can inform future excavations in the area.
Interrelation Between Harappan and Vedic Culture: An Archaeological and Literary Review
Pravesh Kumar Srivastava, Dept of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
This study investigates the historical relationship between the Harappan and Vedic cultures, challenging the colonial narratives of stark separation and conflict between these ancient Indian civilisations. The paper draws from archaeological findings, literary references, and scientific analyses to examine the cultural, chronological, and geographical overlaps between the two traditions.
Esie Soapstone Sculptures of Nigeria in Relation to the Concepts of Provenance and Functionalism
Olalekan Ajao Akinade, former National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Abuja, Nigeria
The soapstone sculptures of Esie, Kwara State—also referred to as Esie images, Esie figurines, cult objects or petrified humans—were first found at a sacred grove in a tropical forest, about two miles from Esie. The existence of these sculptures was made known to the world by European scholars, such as the famous German anthropologist Leo Frobenius in 1912, J.D. Clark, in the 1930s, H.G. Ramshaw, a school inspector of the Church Missionary Society (CMS), in 1930, and Eva Meyercowiz in the 1940s. The raw material used for their production, soapstone, but also referred to as steatite or talc schists, occurs in seven possible locations not far from Esie. The sacred grove where these sculptures were found was used as the place to house the sculptures and the place subsequently became the location of the first National Museum of Nigeria in 1945, opened to the public in 1970.
This paper synthesises previous research and the findings of recent archaeological excavations between 2008 and 2010, carried out by this author at Esie and Oko–Odo. Pottery analysis and other considerations could not reveal substantial information on provenance and functionalism. This paper consequently throws this challenge to science and suggests a possible adoption of physical methods of analysis, involving analytical techniques such as neutron activation analysis, atomic absorption spectrometry and petrological microscopy. Samples to be subjected to analysis shall include soapstone raw material from putative centres, fragments of soapstone sculptures, terracotta fragments and potsherds from Esie, Oko-Odo and Ijara – Ishin (outside Esie).
A New Hypothesis on the Expansion of Near Eastern Counting Practices to the Eastern Baltic
Dominykas Barusevičius, Vilnius University, Institute of Philosophy, Vilnius, Lithuania
This paper hypothesises that the Near Eastern counting practices expanded to the Eastern Baltic. A variety of small clay figurines have been excavated from Baltic Bronze Age (1700 cal BC–520 cal BC) (un)fortified settlements, now located in Lithuania. Puzzling local scholars, these figurines are commonly interpreted as loom and fishing net weights, or magical and gaming items. However, Baltic figurines are almost identical to Near Eastern counting tokens (10th millennium BC–1st millennium CE) and can be categorized into an analogous typology of biconoids, concaves, discs, miniature vessels, spheres, tools. Furthermore, Baltic Sea amber artefacts found in Near Eastern territories, dated to 1200 BC and 1800 BC, support the idea of cultural interface. Exploring this hypothesis, an important case of Baltic figurines is presented. At the Nevieriškės fortified settlement, analogous to the Late Neolithic site of Sabi Abyad in Syria, concentrations of broken pottery vessels were related to 22 biconoids, with one containing other 23 biconoids. Given the larger vessels volumes and side-by-side placement, a storage area can be assumed, suggesting the Near Eastern-like counting nature of Baltic biconoids, possibly for administrative, vital, or transactional purposes. This discovery strengthens the connection between Baltic material culture and Near Eastern counting traditions.
The Archaeological Significance of Bangarh: A Study of its Excavation and Surroundings
Pratap Kumar Naik, Deputy Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Kolkata
Saptarshi Chowdhury, Dept of Archaeology, University of Calcutta, Archaeological Survey of India, Kolkata
The Kech-Makran, Balochistan, region has long been an important route for migrations and expeditions in South-Central Asia, drawing significant archaeological interest. Early documentation of Makran’s archaeological sites began with Major E. Mockler in 1870-75, followed by Sir Aurel Stein’s explorations in 1927-28. In the 1960s, George F. Dales led American missions at Sutkagen Dor, and from 1987 to 2007, Roland Besenval’s French mission extensively studied the area. This paper examines newly discovered sites and compares past archaeological work in Balochistan. By tracing ancient occupations and cultures in Kech-Makran and comparing them with present-day cultures, the study aims to establish a cultural profile of the Chalcolithic Era. Furthermore, there is a critical need for implementing heritage policies to safeguard these sites and artefacts for future generations. This research emphasises the importance of integrating heritage preservation and management into the region’s development, promoting sustainable tourism and education while ensuring Balochistan’s rich cultural history is responsibly shared with the world.
Pre-Hispanic Fishermen and Shellfish Gatherers in the Colombian Caribbean: Recent Interdisciplinary Research at the Ciénaga Grande
Darío Bernal-Casasola Universidad de Cádiz, Spain
Juan Carlos Vargas Ruiz, Juan Jesús Cantillo Duarte, José Luis Portillo-Sotelo, Yeison Pinzón Cáceres, Daniel Nieva Sanz, Karen Córdoba Berdugo, Javier Oviedo Callealta, Alejandro del Monte Varela, Sara Bustamante González, Nicolas Garnier, Leandro Fantuzzi, Patrick Rossetti, Stéphanie Yos Castandet, Robert Andrés Sandoval Carabalí, Sebastián Solano, Rafael Jiménez-Camino Álvarez
The University of Magdalena and the University of Cadiz have initiated a bilateral Colombian-Spanish project in 2024 for the comprehensive archaeological study of the pre-Hispanic communities that exploited the fluvial-lacustrine-marine resources in the area of the Ciénaga Grande, in the current maritime-terrestrial interface of the Colombian Caribbean (area between Barranquilla and Santa Marta).
An interdisciplinary study has been designed and carried out, based on the assumptions of landscape archaeology, to characterise fishing and associated activities in this region, through the study of shell-middens (usually called ‘concheros’), generated as a result of the extractive activity of marine resources.
The different phases of the so-called ‘halieutic cycle’ (exploited resources—fishing gear—processing areas—sale—consumption) have been applied to the site of El Jagüey, dated between the 10th and 11th centuries AD; and much information has been obtained through the execution of archaeological stratigraphic soundings and the archaeozoological characterisation of the record, attempting to proceed to the palaeoenvironmental reconstruction in diachrony. We have also worked with the current fishing communities that continue to live from fishing in this micro-region, where palafic structures are one of the characteristics of its physiognomy.
This paper will present the results of the archaeological field campaigns carried out in 2024 and 2025, including the interdisciplinary results that have recently been published in a scientific monograph, with the prospects for research in the short and medium term of these so fragile coastal sites.