Vast water area in and around India is exceptionally rich in underwater cultural heritage. This book is aimed to provide firsthand information about this nascent branch of archaeology. The book provides an introduction with the subject with information on recent advances made in this field. Results of the fieldworks at Mahabalipuram and Arikamedu in the Bay of Bengal and Elephanta in the Arabian Sea reveal important information to understand the mechanism of overseas commerce with Mediterranean world, seafaring activities in Indian Ocean and coastal changes. Study of Dwarka, Bet Dwarka and Mahabalipuram also generate valuable data for the scientific study of shoreline changes and their effect on the coastal monuments. Excavation of an eighteenth century shipwreck Princes Royal at 54 m depth with detailed documentation in the Arabian Sea tells about the status of underwater archaeology and deep diving capabilities. The UNESCO Convention and the ICOMOS Charter on Underwater Cultural Heritage would be useful for the protection and preservation of the underwater cultural heritage. Profusely illustrated with underwater photographs, line drawings and maps this book embodied the latest researches in marine archaeology and will fascinate not only the scholars and serious students but also the common reader.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Alok Tripathi
Dr. Alok Tripathi, born in 1965 at Gwalior, obtained his Masters Degree in A.I.H.C. and Archaeology and Sociology from Jiwaji University, Gwalior and Doctor of Philosophy from M.S. University of Baroda. He has participated in archaeological excavations at Karbabhat and Sorar, Sopara, Paithan, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi and Ojiyana. He is a diver and has participated in underwater excavations at Dwarka in the Arabian Sea; Transquebar and Kaveripattnam in the Bay of Bengal; Calanque de I' Ann (France); La Pointe Lequin (France); Cala Culip VI (Spain) in the Mediterranean Sea and Saint Vaast La Hougue (France) in the English Channel. He is presently heading the Underwater Archaeology Wing of the Archaeological Survey of India. He is Director of excavation of a shipwreck Princes Royal off Bangaram Island and excavation at Elephanta Island, in the Arabian Sea and excavation at Mahabalipuram in the Bay of Bengal. He has visited France, Spain, Monaco, Denmark, U.K., Hong Kong, Macau SAR China and Nepal. He is the author of 'Excavation of Princes Royal', 'Recent Excavations in Rajasthan' and editor of 'Proceedings of the International Seminar on Marine Archaeology' and 'Remote Sensing and Archaeoogy'. Besides he has published more than 50 research papers in various reputed journals and other volumes.
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