Linguistic Archaeology and Sanskrit Manuscripts

A new project has "has set out to complete a comprehensive survey of Cambridge University Library’s South Asian manuscript collection, which includes the oldest dated and illustrated Sanskrit manuscript known worldwide.

Written on now-fragile birch bark, palm leaf and paper, the 2,000 manuscripts in the collection express centuries-old South Asian thinking on religion, philosophy, astronomy, grammar, law and poetry."

Click the link to read more.

21st Annual EASAA Conference: Paris, 2012

This summer is the 21st Annual EASAA Conference- that's the European Association for South Asian Archaeology and Art.

The conference will be in Paris from 2 to 6 July 2012 at the Ecole du Louvre.

Although the deadline for abstract submissions has now passed, registration will take place online latest by April.

For more information, visit the EASAA website

Indus Seal Discovery in Pakistan

There was a recent news feature about an Indus seal discovered in Pakistan. These seals, which are one of the most distinctive and evocative forms of material culture associated with the Indus, are generally associated with large urban sites such as Mohenjo-daro, although this is not exclusive.

This particular seal (for which an image is unfortunately unavailable at the moment) unusually depicts an ibex. The leader of the Punjab University team, Farzand Masih, says it may demonstrate regional influence or a separate identity. The seal was found in Cholistan.

For more information, here is the link to the news feature.

Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World

An upcoming exhibition at the British Museum!

Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World
Surviving treasures from the National Museum of Afghanistan

"Nearly lost during the years of civil war and Taliban rule, these surviving treasures reveal Afghanistan’s ancient culture, its immense fragility and its remarkable place in world history."

I can't wait for this to open, and am really really excited about it. The events that go along with the exhibition look wonderful as well, and include a talk by William Dalrymple on the First Afghan War, and the current situation in Afghanistan.


Book tickets
Free for Members
Opens 3 March 2011

Planning a visit?

Image: Gold crown from Tillya Tepe, 1st century AD
"This astonishing object was found in the tomb of a nomadic woman. It was designed and assembled from different pieces which allowed it to be folded when not in use. It is the ultimate example of portable nomadic wealth."
National Museum of Afghanistan © Thierry Ollivier / Musée Guimet

Exhibition: Jain Manuscripts

There's currently a free exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London on Jain Manuscripts.

Created to accompany the launch of JAINpedia - an ambitious project digitising Jain manuscripts in the UK - this small display shows finely illustrated Jain manuscript pages from the 15th to 19th centuries. Manuscripts were preserved in temple libraries, however the V&A's collection includes examples in a range of styles, some never displayed before.

Until 31st December 2012, in South Asia Room 41.
Planning a visit?

Image: Rules of conduct for monks, page from an Uttaradhyayanasutra manuscript, Gujarat, India about 1450. Copyright V&A Museum

PhD Studentship Opportunities at the University of Leicester

Interested in doing a PhD in South Asian or Iranian Studies? There are currently some funding opportunities for study at the University of Leicester.

Details of PG opportunities now up on our website, please pass on to any interested/ likely candidates. We are pleased to be able to advertise a range of studentships!

PGR opportunities:
. AHRC PhD studentship in Archaeology or Ancient History (open to UK/EU Applicants only). The package will cover tuition fees (at the home/EU rate only) plus an annual stipend of up to £14,000 for three years. Topics should relate to the School's research strengths.
. TWO PhD studentships in Archaeology or Ancient History. The package will cover tuition fees (at the home/EU rate only) plus an annual stipend of up to £14,000 for three years. These awards are available for topics relating to any of the School's research strengths.
. ONE PhD Studentship in Trans-Saharan Archaeology Award is for research in an area that complements and enhances the European Research Council-funded Trans-Sahara project directed by Professor David Mattingly. The package will cover tuition fees (at the home/EU rate only) plus an annual stipend of up to £14,000 for three years.
. ONE PhD Studentship in the Classical Mediterranean. Award is for research on any aspect of the archaeology and/or ancient history of Classical Mediterranean societies. The package will cover tuition fees (at the home/EU rate only) plus an annual stipend of up to £14,000 for three years.
. ONE International PhD Studentship (fees-only) (open to international applicants). The award will reduce the fees payable by an international student to the home/EU rate. The award is available for topics relating to any of the School's research strengths.
. International bursaries: Individual bursaries of up to £3000 per year
available to support international research students.


PGT: Up to 8 studentships for any MA course, plus 1 specifically for the new MA Archaeology. The studentships are available to all applicants (UK/EU/International) and apply to full-time and part-time study. The total value of each studentship is £1000 (UK/EU students) or £2000 (International).


To apply: Interested applicants should note on their application that
they wish to be considered for the studentship competitions.

Delhi: Photography and Archaeology Exhibition

An exhibition starts tomorrow, 7th September, on 'The Marshall Albums: Photography and Archaeology'.

Sir John Marshall was the first Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and this exhibition showcases his career and the use of photography at the beginning of organised archaeological work in India. Marshall, among other things, directed the excavations at Mohenjo-daro (now in Pakistan).

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication on the subject by Dr Sudeshna Guha (Cambridge University), available with a discount.

Where: Shridharani Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam
205 Tansen Marg (Mandi House), New Delhi

When: 7th September 17:30 to 17th September 19:00