107-260 Archaeology of the Indian Subcontinent

This subject is an introduction to the material culture and the art history of ancient India, Pakistan and the Himalayan regions. Starting from the Iron Age and the arrival of Indo-European speakers, students will study the processes of cultural change and interaction in relation to the formation of a central state. Early monuments of this region will be examined in relation to the light they shed on artistic and sociopolitical developments. Pivotal in this study is the mythologies of the new religious systems (Buddhism, Vaisnavism, and Saivism) and their influence on artistic styles.

Written work totalling 4000 words and tutorial participation.

A subject reader will be available.

• F R Allchin et al, The Archaeology of Early Historic South Asia. The Emergence of Cities and States. Cambridge, 1995.
• S L Huntington, The Art of Ancient India. Buddhist, Hindu, Jain. New York, Tokyo, 1985.
• B & F R Allchin, The Rise of Civilization in India and Pakistan. Cambridge, 1982.
• G Erdosy, Urbanisation in Early Historic India. British Archaeological Reports, S 430. Oxford, 1988.