Recent Developments in the Archaeology of Long-Distance Connections Across the Ancient Indian Ocean

Scholarship on the ancient Indian Ocean, which stretches deep into the previous century, is available from an array of academic disciplines including but not limited to history, archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics, art history, and materials science. It spans from prehistory to the present era and i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of anthropology 2023-10, Vol.52 (1), p.115-135
Main Author: Abraham, Shinu Anna
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic disciplines
ancient Indian Ocean exchange
Archaeology
Art history
beads
ceramics
Epigraphy
maritime networks
Oceans
Prehistoric era
South Asia
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Summary:Scholarship on the ancient Indian Ocean, which stretches deep into the previous century, is available from an array of academic disciplines including but not limited to history, archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics, art history, and materials science. It spans from prehistory to the present era and includes evidence ranging from the Mediterranean to East Asia. What binds together the world of Indian Ocean research is an enduring interest in the complex maritime-based links crosscutting this space and-for archaeologists-the movements of cultural elements (objects, ideas, people, etc.) that have left behind some material trace. Recent field projects and materials science studies have greatly expanded this material database, refining (and sometimes challenging) traditional interpretations about Indian Ocean maritime relations. This review presents a streamlined perspective, focusing on recent archaeological contributions about long-distance interregional connections across the Indian Ocean from 500 bce to 1000 ce .
ISSN:0084-6570
1545-4290
DOI:10.1146/annurev-anthro-101819-110124