Completed my doctoral dissertation on the topic entitled "Medieval Archaeology of Champaner - Pavagadh and the surrounding region; Gujarat" from Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute. Currently working as a Guest Faculty in the Department of History and Archaeology in the North East Hill University (Tura Campus). Supervisors: Prof. Vasant Shinde
The present paper deals with the preliminary identification of mason's marks found in some of the... more The present paper deals with the preliminary identification of mason's marks found in some of the historical structures of the Panchmahal district, Gujarat. Unlike other historical and archaeological research fields, mason's marks represent a less known field in Indian academia. In very general terms, one can define a mason's mark as any signs ranging from short inscriptions to any form of alphanumeric values inscribed on architectural elements. In this paper, the authors discuss a series of such marks recorded at isolated historical buildings of the district, trying to explain why inquiry into mason's marks can be deemed an integral part of architectural studies. A brief description of the study area and adapted methodologies is followed by the detailed accounts of the monuments and the related finds in tabular format.
Peopling and Cultural Spread Studies in South Asian Archaeology, 2023
The present paper is an attempt to comprehend the probable defensive measures of Champaner - Pava... more The present paper is an attempt to comprehend the probable defensive measures of Champaner - Pavagadh Archaeological Park (73°27ʹ E - 73°36ʹ E and 22°25ʹ N - 22°32 ʹ N) with special reference to the medieval period (13th CE – 16th CE). A city that emerged as Sultanate Gujarat's capital (1484 AD) was the by-product of a decade’s long series of political upsurges between the modern-day Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This particular paper will try to understand the relevance of landscape behind the formation of warfare strategies during the above mentioned time-period by highlighting the region of Champaner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a world heritage site of Gujarat state, which beholds a unique landscape in its territory comprising both on plain and hilly terrain within the same locale. The result proposes the hypothesis that the line of defence for the city was solely dependent upon its landscape. And all the structural layout within the territory testifies to a firm understanding of the surrounding. The entire paper will be divided into two sections. A brief of the city, followed by a landscape-based understanding of the structural arrangements to purview the defensive manoeuvres of the city.
An insufficient number of archaeological surveys has been carried out to date on Harappan Civiliz... more An insufficient number of archaeological surveys has been carried out to date on Harappan Civilization cemeteries. One case in point is the necropolis at Rakhigarhi site (Haryana, India), one of the largest cities of the Harappan Civilization, where most burials within the cemetery remained uninvestigated. Over the course of the past three seasons (2013 to 2016), we therefore conducted excavations in an attempt to remedy this data shortfall. In brief, we found different kinds of graves co-existing within the Rakhigarhi cemetery in varying proportions. Primary interment was most common, followed by the use of secondary, symbolic, and unused (empty) graves. Within the first category, the atypical burials appear to have been elaborately prepared. Prone-positioned internments also attracted our attention. Since those individuals are not likely to have been social deviants, it is necessary to reconsider our pre-conceptions about such prone-position burials in archaeology, at least in the context of the Harappan Civilization. The data presented in this report, albeit insufficient to provide a complete understanding of Harappan Civilization cemeteries, nevertheless does present new and significant information on the mortuary practices and anthropological features at that time. Indeed, the range of different kinds of burials at the Rakhigarhi cemetery do appear indicative of the differences in mortuary rituals seen within Harappan societies, therefore providing a vivid glimpse of how these people respected their dead.
The Rakhigarhi site is the location of the ruins of an ancient megacity of the Harappan civilizat... more The Rakhigarhi site is the location of the ruins of an ancient megacity of the Harappan civilization and had not previously been investigated thoroughly. We tried to examine the physical and pathological traits of human skeletons (n = 37) from the cemetery at the site. In our study, a cranial index was calculated from one male skull (dolichocranic; index value = 65.78). The mean statures estimated by long bone length were 175.8 cm (male) and 166.1 cm (female). The indices of femoral diaphyseal shape were 79.8 (males) and 90.31 (females) for the platymeric index; and 113.78 (males) and 112.74 (female) for the pilasteric index. The dental health of the subjects appeared to be good as the overall prevalence of oral pathologies (caries and antemortem tooth loss) was generally low. Periosteal reactions were found in tibias and possible evidence of osteomyelitis was also observed in a femur. Some joint parts showed signs of osteoarthritis. Although various pathologies have been identified, we could not find any specific lesions suggestive of leprosy and tuberculosis in these skeletons. Although our study has added invaluable data to the existing information pool on the health and disease status of Harappan society, more accurate conjecture on the structure of Harrappan society based on bioarchaeological evidence will need additional research based on future excavations at Rakhigarhi cemetery. Key words: Rakhigarhi, Harappan Civilization, paleopathology, stature, osteomyelitis
Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 5 (2017):, 2018
Regardless of innumerable developments in Indian archaeological research through the ages when it... more Regardless of innumerable developments in Indian archaeological research through the ages when it comes to understanding the medieval mind of our ancestors over material cultures, we normally remained silent. Therefore this paper is intended to acknowledge the works of those scholars who initiated and tried their level best to put medieval archaeology into mainstream archaeological research. By correlating literary records with existed material cultural remains to understand the past derived from recent events. Hence, for a case study, this paper will focus on the research work that had been done over the years in Gujarat. With the help of published and a few unpublished works, the main aim of will be to give a brief review of the overall development of archaeological research in the medieval period of Gujarat.
An insufficient number of archaeological surveys has been carried out to date on Harappan Civiliz... more An insufficient number of archaeological surveys has been carried out to date on Harappan Civilization cemeteries. One case in point is the necropolis at Rakhigarhi site (Haryana, India), one of the largest cities of the Harappan Civilization, where most burials within the cemetery remained uninvestigated. Over the course of the past three seasons (2013 to 2016), we therefore conducted excavations in an attempt to remedy this data shortfall. In brief, we found different kinds of graves co-existing within the Rakhigarhi cemetery in varying proportions. Primary interment was most common, followed by the use of secondary, symbolic, and unused (empty) graves. Within the first category, the atypical burials appear to have been elaborately prepared. Prone-positioned internments also attracted our attention. Since those individuals are not likely to have been social deviants, it is necessary to reconsider our pre-conceptions about such prone-position burials in archaeology, at least in the context of the Harappan Civilization. The data presented in this report, albeit insufficient to provide a complete understanding of Harappan Civilization cemeteries, nevertheless does present new and significant information on the mortuary practices and anthropological features at that time. Indeed, the range of different kinds of burials at the Rakhigarhi cemetery do appear indicative of the differences in mortuary rituals seen within Harappan societies , therefore providing a vivid glimpse of how these people respected their dead.
The present paper deals with the preliminary identification of mason's marks found in some of the... more The present paper deals with the preliminary identification of mason's marks found in some of the historical structures of the Panchmahal district, Gujarat. Unlike other historical and archaeological research fields, mason's marks represent a less known field in Indian academia. In very general terms, one can define a mason's mark as any signs ranging from short inscriptions to any form of alphanumeric values inscribed on architectural elements. In this paper, the authors discuss a series of such marks recorded at isolated historical buildings of the district, trying to explain why inquiry into mason's marks can be deemed an integral part of architectural studies. A brief description of the study area and adapted methodologies is followed by the detailed accounts of the monuments and the related finds in tabular format.
Peopling and Cultural Spread Studies in South Asian Archaeology, 2023
The present paper is an attempt to comprehend the probable defensive measures of Champaner - Pava... more The present paper is an attempt to comprehend the probable defensive measures of Champaner - Pavagadh Archaeological Park (73°27ʹ E - 73°36ʹ E and 22°25ʹ N - 22°32 ʹ N) with special reference to the medieval period (13th CE – 16th CE). A city that emerged as Sultanate Gujarat's capital (1484 AD) was the by-product of a decade’s long series of political upsurges between the modern-day Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This particular paper will try to understand the relevance of landscape behind the formation of warfare strategies during the above mentioned time-period by highlighting the region of Champaner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a world heritage site of Gujarat state, which beholds a unique landscape in its territory comprising both on plain and hilly terrain within the same locale. The result proposes the hypothesis that the line of defence for the city was solely dependent upon its landscape. And all the structural layout within the territory testifies to a firm understanding of the surrounding. The entire paper will be divided into two sections. A brief of the city, followed by a landscape-based understanding of the structural arrangements to purview the defensive manoeuvres of the city.
An insufficient number of archaeological surveys has been carried out to date on Harappan Civiliz... more An insufficient number of archaeological surveys has been carried out to date on Harappan Civilization cemeteries. One case in point is the necropolis at Rakhigarhi site (Haryana, India), one of the largest cities of the Harappan Civilization, where most burials within the cemetery remained uninvestigated. Over the course of the past three seasons (2013 to 2016), we therefore conducted excavations in an attempt to remedy this data shortfall. In brief, we found different kinds of graves co-existing within the Rakhigarhi cemetery in varying proportions. Primary interment was most common, followed by the use of secondary, symbolic, and unused (empty) graves. Within the first category, the atypical burials appear to have been elaborately prepared. Prone-positioned internments also attracted our attention. Since those individuals are not likely to have been social deviants, it is necessary to reconsider our pre-conceptions about such prone-position burials in archaeology, at least in the context of the Harappan Civilization. The data presented in this report, albeit insufficient to provide a complete understanding of Harappan Civilization cemeteries, nevertheless does present new and significant information on the mortuary practices and anthropological features at that time. Indeed, the range of different kinds of burials at the Rakhigarhi cemetery do appear indicative of the differences in mortuary rituals seen within Harappan societies, therefore providing a vivid glimpse of how these people respected their dead.
The Rakhigarhi site is the location of the ruins of an ancient megacity of the Harappan civilizat... more The Rakhigarhi site is the location of the ruins of an ancient megacity of the Harappan civilization and had not previously been investigated thoroughly. We tried to examine the physical and pathological traits of human skeletons (n = 37) from the cemetery at the site. In our study, a cranial index was calculated from one male skull (dolichocranic; index value = 65.78). The mean statures estimated by long bone length were 175.8 cm (male) and 166.1 cm (female). The indices of femoral diaphyseal shape were 79.8 (males) and 90.31 (females) for the platymeric index; and 113.78 (males) and 112.74 (female) for the pilasteric index. The dental health of the subjects appeared to be good as the overall prevalence of oral pathologies (caries and antemortem tooth loss) was generally low. Periosteal reactions were found in tibias and possible evidence of osteomyelitis was also observed in a femur. Some joint parts showed signs of osteoarthritis. Although various pathologies have been identified, we could not find any specific lesions suggestive of leprosy and tuberculosis in these skeletons. Although our study has added invaluable data to the existing information pool on the health and disease status of Harappan society, more accurate conjecture on the structure of Harrappan society based on bioarchaeological evidence will need additional research based on future excavations at Rakhigarhi cemetery. Key words: Rakhigarhi, Harappan Civilization, paleopathology, stature, osteomyelitis
Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 5 (2017):, 2018
Regardless of innumerable developments in Indian archaeological research through the ages when it... more Regardless of innumerable developments in Indian archaeological research through the ages when it comes to understanding the medieval mind of our ancestors over material cultures, we normally remained silent. Therefore this paper is intended to acknowledge the works of those scholars who initiated and tried their level best to put medieval archaeology into mainstream archaeological research. By correlating literary records with existed material cultural remains to understand the past derived from recent events. Hence, for a case study, this paper will focus on the research work that had been done over the years in Gujarat. With the help of published and a few unpublished works, the main aim of will be to give a brief review of the overall development of archaeological research in the medieval period of Gujarat.
An insufficient number of archaeological surveys has been carried out to date on Harappan Civiliz... more An insufficient number of archaeological surveys has been carried out to date on Harappan Civilization cemeteries. One case in point is the necropolis at Rakhigarhi site (Haryana, India), one of the largest cities of the Harappan Civilization, where most burials within the cemetery remained uninvestigated. Over the course of the past three seasons (2013 to 2016), we therefore conducted excavations in an attempt to remedy this data shortfall. In brief, we found different kinds of graves co-existing within the Rakhigarhi cemetery in varying proportions. Primary interment was most common, followed by the use of secondary, symbolic, and unused (empty) graves. Within the first category, the atypical burials appear to have been elaborately prepared. Prone-positioned internments also attracted our attention. Since those individuals are not likely to have been social deviants, it is necessary to reconsider our pre-conceptions about such prone-position burials in archaeology, at least in the context of the Harappan Civilization. The data presented in this report, albeit insufficient to provide a complete understanding of Harappan Civilization cemeteries, nevertheless does present new and significant information on the mortuary practices and anthropological features at that time. Indeed, the range of different kinds of burials at the Rakhigarhi cemetery do appear indicative of the differences in mortuary rituals seen within Harappan societies , therefore providing a vivid glimpse of how these people respected their dead.
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Papers by Avradeep Munshi
This particular paper will try to understand the relevance of landscape behind the formation of warfare strategies during the above mentioned time-period by highlighting the region of Champaner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a world heritage site of Gujarat state, which beholds a unique landscape in its territory comprising both on plain and hilly terrain within the same locale. The result proposes the hypothesis that the line of defence for the city was solely dependent upon its landscape. And all the structural layout within the territory testifies to a firm understanding of the surrounding. The entire paper will be divided into two sections. A brief of the city, followed by a landscape-based understanding of the structural arrangements to purview the defensive manoeuvres of the city.
symbolic, and unused (empty) graves. Within the first category, the atypical burials appear to have been elaborately prepared. Prone-positioned internments also attracted our attention. Since those individuals are not likely to have been social deviants, it is necessary to
reconsider our pre-conceptions about such prone-position burials in archaeology, at least in the context of the Harappan Civilization. The data presented in this report, albeit insufficient to provide a complete understanding of Harappan Civilization cemeteries, nevertheless
does present new and significant information on the mortuary practices and anthropological features at that time. Indeed, the range of different kinds of burials at the Rakhigarhi cemetery do appear indicative of the differences in mortuary rituals seen within Harappan societies, therefore providing a vivid glimpse of how these people respected their dead.
Key words: Rakhigarhi, Harappan Civilization, paleopathology, stature, osteomyelitis
This particular paper will try to understand the relevance of landscape behind the formation of warfare strategies during the above mentioned time-period by highlighting the region of Champaner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a world heritage site of Gujarat state, which beholds a unique landscape in its territory comprising both on plain and hilly terrain within the same locale. The result proposes the hypothesis that the line of defence for the city was solely dependent upon its landscape. And all the structural layout within the territory testifies to a firm understanding of the surrounding. The entire paper will be divided into two sections. A brief of the city, followed by a landscape-based understanding of the structural arrangements to purview the defensive manoeuvres of the city.
symbolic, and unused (empty) graves. Within the first category, the atypical burials appear to have been elaborately prepared. Prone-positioned internments also attracted our attention. Since those individuals are not likely to have been social deviants, it is necessary to
reconsider our pre-conceptions about such prone-position burials in archaeology, at least in the context of the Harappan Civilization. The data presented in this report, albeit insufficient to provide a complete understanding of Harappan Civilization cemeteries, nevertheless
does present new and significant information on the mortuary practices and anthropological features at that time. Indeed, the range of different kinds of burials at the Rakhigarhi cemetery do appear indicative of the differences in mortuary rituals seen within Harappan societies, therefore providing a vivid glimpse of how these people respected their dead.
Key words: Rakhigarhi, Harappan Civilization, paleopathology, stature, osteomyelitis