Some Form of Archaeology in India The strata in which archaeological remains have been found can be divided into three categories: 1) Older, or prehistoric, 2) Historic/Iron Age 3) Modern. In ancient times, archaeology was mostly a record of the rock layers and fossils found by farmers. In the 1890s-1910s, archaeologists who studied ancient peoples from collections made from excavation began to fully realize their importance for understanding the past. Radiocarbon dating became a standard method in archaeology and revealed that older sites had been occupied much later than thought which led to a new field called historical archaeology. The first archaeologist in India was Alexander Cunningham. He first started studying the Afghan remains and then moved on to the Harappan civilization. He was not able to fully uncover the mysteries of this civilization, leaving it for future generations. The next major figure of Indian archaeology, Raymond Allchin, studied various aspects of Indus Valley Civilization as part as a PhD thesis for Cambridge University. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for archaeological research and protection in India. They manage hundreds of archaeological sites and protect them from treasure hunters and vandalism. While preservation of the sites is their main concern, they also encourage excavation of these sites by both Indian and foreign scholars. Indian Archaeology in the 20th Century Archaeology in India has gone through several phases since the time Alexander Cunningham started work on it. The first was starting more research on the Harappan culture, which led to great advances in understanding this culture. Another key development was the discovery of the Sarasvati River, which many thought was an invention of Brahmins. This discovery helped determine where this civilization was located and changed views on its extent. Since then, there have been more discoveries that have challenged accepted theories of Indus Valley Civilization and Sand Stone Culture. Archaeology in India has led to great changes in how people understand history, culture, and their own civilization. Current State of Archaeology in India Archaeological work still needs to be done to fully understand the Harappan culture. While many cities have been excavated, there are vast areas that still need more work. Many sites containing great historical remains are being destroyed by farmers for new farmland or settled by other people who use them for homes or other construction. The ASI is trying its best to protect these sites but they are overwhelmed by the lack of resources they have. The government has also recently begun encouraging foreign scholars to help with their projects as well as promoting tourism at these sites. Cleared of the myths and legends, the history of Indus Valley Civilization is anything but an enigma. However, until recent times archaeologists were puzzled by several features of this civilization. For instance, the writing scripts on their monuments. They were writing either in Brahmi or Grantha script. No one could decipher this script until Harappan Dated seals (1500 BCE) were found at Irani-Harappan sites like Mohenjo-daro. 8eeb4e9f32 13
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