Prior to the commencement of maritime archaeological studies, many amateur divers, fishermen and academicians had recovered numerous artefacts from the seabed, to be either published, showcased, exhibited or sold. The importance and aesthetic value of the artefacts were understood by the scholars and the first academic research of maritime archaeology commenced in the Mediterranean Sea sometime after 1950. Moreover, maritime archaeology was also introduced in the curriculum of some universities and colleges in the 19th century. Now maritime archaeology is swiftly developing because of the availability of new technological advancements that allow archaeologists and oceanographers to explore deeper depths of the ocean bed which were earlier unapproachable. As in other countries, maritime archaeological studies were initiated in India in the year 1983, onshore and offshore explorations in the waters along the west and east coasts of India have been undertaken and remains of submerged ports, shipwrecks, stone anchors and traditional boatbuilding have been documented. But many scholars, researchers and students of South Asia, Southeast Asia and adjoining regions are not well informed on the recent research and advances in the field of Maritime Archaeology in comparison to other parts of the world. Therefore, it is proposed to bring out a special volume on ‘Maritime Contacts of the Past: Deciphering Connections amongst communities’ that would undoubtedly enhance the knowledge of the scholars and researchers as well. Scholars of different countries involved in this research were approached for contribution and 31 wide ranging articles related to Maritime Archaeology cover the region from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean, from the North Pacific to the South Atlantic Ocean.
Contents: Preface; Foreword; Acknowledgements
1. The Archaeobiology of Indian Ocean Translocations: Current Outlines of Cultural Exchanges by Proto-Historic Seafarers
2. Indo-Roman trade: A View from the Sea
3. The Indian Ocean in the Seventh and Eighth Centuries
4. A Southern African Perspective of the Early Indian Ocean Trade
5. History of Maritime Contacts Between Vietnam and India: Archaeological Evidence from Oc Eo culture in Southern Vietnam
6. Early Contacts between India and the Andaman Coast in Thailand from the 2nd century BC to 11th century AD
7. Role of Ceramics in the Indian Ocean Maritime Trade During the Early Historical Period
8. East and Southeast Asian Trade Ceramics from the Excavations at the United Arab Emirates
9. Iron and Cotton in the Indian Ocean Littoral: New data from ThaKae, Central Thailand
10. Ancient Tissamaharama: The Formation of Urban Structures and Growing Commerce
11. Mediaeval South Asian Earthenware in Northern Sumatra: Its relevance for Contemporary Maritime Trade
12. A Brief Study Concerning Martaban Jars
13. Ceramic Decorations on Buddhist Temples in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
14. Insights into Southeast Asian Maritime Trade During the 15th Century: Asian Ceramics from the Santa Cruz Shipwreck in the Philippines
15. An Overview of Maritime Archaeology of Southeast Asia and Future Prospects
16. Port and Harbour Archaeology of Stockholm
17. Nautical Iconography from the Iberian Peninsula in Prehistory
18. Nautical Angkor: An Iconological Study of Khmer vessels in Angkorian Bas-Reliefs
19. The Naval Architecture of Ancient Fujian Style Sailing Junks: An overview
20. Some Traditional Boats of South Asia
21. Sinhalese Outrigger Craft
22. The Naval Battle of DhÈt Al-“awÈri Revisited (ca 653, 654 or 655)
23. An Interdisciplinary Approach Towards the Dispersal of Southeast Asian Maritime Technology Across the Indian Ocean
24. Sailing Rigs of the Western Indian Ocean During the First Millennium AD
25. The Study of Stone Anchors in Dorset, UK
26. Basic Thoughts on Anchors from East and Southeast Asia
27. Sheltered Bays: Linguistic and Ethnographic Approach to Maritime Communities of Bahia-Brazil
28. Contemporary Extensions of Ancient Bali-India Connections within Balinese Traditional Theatre
29. Pursuing Relevant Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Programs in Developing Countries
30. Portuguese Ships and their Designs in the Indo-Portuguese Maritime Trade
31. An Overview of Maritime Archaeological Studies in India Index.
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