Arikamedu

Wastewater management appeared about 3000 BC in South Asia, and spread on the whole subcontinent with the development of urbanization during its early history. Domestic grey water and black water were canalized through street-side drains, and cesspits was implemented at house outlet level, or at drain crossing, in order to avoid the clogging of the system. Nothing seems to be known about the ultimate place where the drains canalized wastewater. In South India, wastewater was managed previously to the 1st century AD, at the very same period as the presence of Mediterranean population on the subcontinent. But, we cannot confirm a Mediterranean influence on wastewater management, because of the previous development of several techniques in the region. In today rural Puducherry area, traditional techniques are used to manage wastewater, quite similar to the method used to treat wastewater of Puducherry urban zone.

Indian Rouletted Ware and other associated fine-ware ceramics belong to one important category of ceramics indicating long-distance cultural exchanges within the Indian Ocean in general and South Asia in particular. Understanding the spatio-temporal distribution and typology of the Indian rouletted ware and associated fine ware at Pattanam can be useful for developing a micro-chronology and recognising the connections and linkages of Pattanam during the early historic period. This paper presents the results of preliminary study on the rouletted ware and the associated ceramics and discusses the technique of chattering and rouletting

h Wheeler and Casal consider that the architectural features of Arikamedu belong to a period.  Wheeler concluded that structural features from the north part of the site consist of one period without any phase division, whereas the southern sector has seven phases (like early, middle phase division with three sub-phases each and a later phase with any sub division).  Begley found considerable quantities of pottery during her excavation and dated them from the first century CE to French occupational times.  However, she did not classify or date any medieval or late medieval French structures in her report. She only discussed the French mission house that was exposed on the surface.

Wastewater management appeared about 3000 BC in South Asia, and spread on the whole subcontinent with the development of urbanization during its early history. Domestic grey water and black water were canalized through street-side drains, and cesspits was implemented at house outlet level, or at drain crossing, in order to avoid the clogging of the system. Nothing seems to be known about the ultimate place where the drains canalized wastewater. In South India, wastewater was managed previously to the 1st century AD, at the very same period as the presence of Mediterranean population on the subcontinent. But, we cannot confirm a Mediterranean influence on wastewater management, because of the previous development of several techniques in the region. In today rural Puducherry area, traditional techniques are used to manage wastewater, quite similar to the method used to treat wastewater of Puducherry urban zone.

Wastewater management appeared about 3000 BC in South Asia, and spread on the whole subcontinent with the development of urbanization during its early history. Domestic grey water and black water were canalized through street-side drains, and cesspits was implemented at house outlet level, or at drain crossing, in order to avoid the clogging of the system. Nothing seems to be known about the ultimate place where the drains canalized wastewater. In South India, wastewater was managed previously to the 1st century AD, at the very same period as the presence of Mediterranean population on the subcontinent. But, we cannot confirm a Mediterranean influence on wastewater management, because of the previous development of several techniques in the region. In today rural Puducherry area, traditional techniques are used to manage wastewater, quite similar to the method used to treat wastewater of Puducherry urban zone.

Arikamedu is one of the most important early historic ports on the East Coast of India. Arikamedu excavations and explorations have shown evidence of maritime contacts between India and the Roman and Southeast Asian countries as early as the third century BCE. Recently, fresh explorations at Alagankulam, Karaikaddu, Suttukeni, Keeladi, including Arikamedu on the Tamil Nadu coast were carried out wherein rouletted ware (RW), beads and other artefacts were recovered. Among the artefacts, the most notable finding is of a miniature stone sculpture of Ganesh on the left or right bank of the Ariyankuppam River. This article discusses the analysis conducted on the the rock sample of the Ganesh sculpture using the non-invasive XRD and EPMA instruments to understand the composition and probable provenance of the rock; and outline the importance of analysing pottery to understand its role in maritime trade.

Worlds Apart Trading Together sets out to replace the outdated notion of ‘Indo-Roman trade’ with a more informed perspective integrating the new findings of the last 30 years. In order to accomplish this, a perspective focusing on concrete demand from the ground up is adopted, also shedding light on the role of the market in long-distance exchange. Accordingly, the analysis conducted demonstrates that an economically highly substantial trade took place between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean in the 1st–6th cen. CE, altering patterns of consumption and modes of production in both India, South Arabia and the Roman Empire. Significantly, it can be documented that this trade was organised at the centres of demand and supply, in Rome and India, respectively, by comparable urban associations, the transport in-between being handled by equally well-organised private networks and diasporas of seagoing merchants. Consequently, this study concludes that the institution of the market in Antiquity was able to facilitate trade over very long distances, acting on a scale which had a characteristic impact on the economies of the societies involved, their economic structures converging by adapting to trade and the market.
NB: See uploaded addenda in paper below 'Worlds Apart Trading Together – addenda'
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—J. Simmons in Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2018.09.59 (http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2018/2018-09-59.html).
—R. Tomber in Journal of Roman Archaeology 31, II (2018): 948–52.