{"id":7656,"date":"2025-04-26T00:56:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T00:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldarchaeologicalcongress.com\/wac10\/?page_id=7656"},"modified":"2025-05-19T11:00:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T11:00:10","slug":"archaeology-anthropology-of-art-general-4","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/worldarchaeologicalcongress.com\/wac10\/archaeology-anthropology-of-art-general-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Archaeology & Anthropology of Art (General 4)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Format: Paper presentations with discussion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Convenors<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Archana Sharma, Dept of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, archana_sudhirai@bhu.ac.in<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Somesh Chandra Shrivastava, Independent researcher, drsomesh.shrivastava@gmail.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This session brings together interdisciplinary approaches to the study of South Asian art, architecture and material culture, exploring how inscriptions, symbols, building styles and iconometric systems reflect broader socio-cultural and historical processes. Collectively, these studies underscore the enduring interplay between visual culture, textual traditions, and historical meaning in the archaeological record of South Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Papers:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iconometric Study of the Hindu and Jaina Images of Bundelkhand Region of Central India (With Reference to the Collections in the Museums of Jhansi)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Archana Sharma, Dept of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bundelkhand is a geographical region of Central India. It has a long and glorious history of Indian art and architecture. Several treatises of ancient Indian art, like Brihatsamhita of Varahamihira, Samaranganasatradhara of Bhojadeva, Aparajitaprichha of Bhuvandeava etc., are associated with central Indian art tradition. These texts have given detail descriptions of iconometry and iconography. Iconometry is a certain rule of proportions in the making of images. It is a very systematic and scientific method for art appreciation. Some Indian scholars did such work specially on the basis of textual data, but they rarely took contextual evidence. To fill this gap, my paper will do the iconometric study of the Hindu and Jaina images of Bundelkhand region housed in the museums of Jhansi. My study will be based on text and context. First, data will be collected from the literary sources then they will be compared to theory and practice. Some other questions will also be answered such as, how do the iconography and iconometry deal with each other? Is chronological variation evident in the proportions of images? Are proportions similar to particular textual traditions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Study of Inscriptions on Mughal Buildings in North India <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A.W.M.D.M.S. Wijebandara, independent researcher<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This study explores the inscriptions found on Mughal buildings in North India, focusing on their historical, cultural, and architectural significance. Mughal architecture is renowned for its grandeur and intricacy, and inscriptions serve as vital sources for understanding the era’s social, political, and religious contexts. The research examines the content of inscriptions on key Mughal monuments, such as the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Jama Masjid, to uncover insights into the patronage, architectural innovations, and artistic expressions of the time. The study highlights the role of inscriptions in conveying the ideologies of the Mughal rulers, commemorating military victories, and promoting Islamic principles. By analysing the language, script, and placement of these inscriptions, the research aims to contribute to the understanding of Mughal architecture as a medium of communication, cultural identity, and imperial propaganda. This investigation reveals the fusion of Persian, Arabic, and local languages, and underscores the importance of these texts in preserving historical narratives and shaping architectural aesthetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Symbols Used in the Indus Civilisation as Deciphered by Indus Seals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Somesh Chandra Shrivastava, independent researcher<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This paper is a work to read Indus seals related to symbols used for business purposes. After decipherment of Indus signs with cave paintings, a link is established between Indus and Brahmi. Indus seals are inscribed with short and complete directive inscriptions comprising a single or a few words to be used repetitively, referring to crops as a share of agricultural production, medical, administrative, legal and business uses. A few of those seals showed the inscription of logos and symbols of business houses described in Indus script.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symbolism and Subconscious Beliefs in Mehrgarh: A Semiotic and Psychological – Exploration of Neolithic Material Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maleeha Bukhari, Interdisciplinary Researcher & Artist<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mehrgarh, one of South Asia\u2019s earliest Neolithic sites (9000\u20137000 BCE), marks a crucial transition from nomadic to agrarian life. While its material culture\u2014pottery, figurines, and burial practices\u2014has been well-documented, its symbolic and psychological dimensions remain largely unexplored. This research integrates semiotics, psychoanalysis, and archaeology to examine Mehrgarh\u2019s artefacts as vessels of the collective unconscious. By analysing visual motifs, fertility figurines, and spatial practices, it uncovers the cultural lexicon embedded in Mehrgarh\u2019s material remains and its influence on contemporary traditions in Balochistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This study contributes to discussions on heritage legacies by exploring how material culture mediates memory, identity, and subconscious beliefs across time. Drawing on Roland Barthes\u2019 semiotic theory and Carl Jung\u2019s archetypes, it argues that Mehrgarh\u2019s visual language functioned as a cognitive tool for navigating existential anxieties concerning fertility, survival, and social continuity. Additionally, it challenges conventional archaeological methodologies by advocating for indigenous epistemologies that reflect lived experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By positioning Mehrgarh as an enduring cultural imprint rather than a static historical site, this research proposes a methodological shift toward exploring the symbolic and psychological dimensions of early civilisations, emphasising the importance of integrating local narratives into heritage studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Art, Architecture, Inscriptions and Scientific Analysis of Building Materials of Jhajjar Tomb Complex, Haryana, India<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pankaj Bhardwaj, Dept of History and Archaeology, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi, India<\/em>
Ambily C.S, Dept of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, USA<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This paper presents a multidisciplinary analysis of the Jhajjar Tomb Complex in Haryana, India, an important archaeological site dating back to the Mughal period (1593\u20131630 CE). The study examines six tombs constructed in the Pathan architectural style, which display unique design elements, including bastioned platforms, intricately ornamented chhatris, and low-height gateways. Arabic and Persian inscriptions provide critical insights into the historical context, identifying the site’s patrons, construction dates, and socio-religious dimensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A notable contribution of this research is the scientific analysis of the building materials. Using petrographic analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), the study identifies grey sedimentary rock, predominantly dolomitic limestone, as the primary construction material. The limestone’s mineralogical composition matches the geological characteristics of Mahendragarh district, approximately 80 km from Jhajjar, indicating a localised resource procurement strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This paper emphasises the significance of integrating archaeological, architectural, and scientific approaches to heritage studies. It explores the relationship between material choices, regional geology, and Mughal architectural traditions, shedding light on medieval resource utilisation and construction practices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Format: Paper presentations with discussion Convenors:  Archana Sharma, Dept of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, archana_sudhirai@bhu.ac.in Somesh Chandra Shrivastava, Independent researcher, drsomesh.shrivastava@gmail.com This session brings together interdisciplinary approaches to the study of South Asian art, architecture and material culture, exploring how inscriptions, symbols, building styles and iconometric systems reflect broader […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1186,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-7656","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"pmpro-has-access","6":"czr-hentry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldarchaeologicalcongress.com\/wac10\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7656","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldarchaeologicalcongress.com\/wac10\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldarchaeologicalcongress.com\/wac10\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldarchaeologicalcongress.com\/wac10\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1186"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldarchaeologicalcongress.com\/wac10\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7656"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/worldarchaeologicalcongress.com\/wac10\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7656\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8138,"href":"https:\/\/worldarchaeologicalcongress.com\/wac10\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7656\/revisions\/8138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldarchaeologicalcongress.com\/wac10\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7656"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}