Heritage Science and Society

The Heritage Studies at NIAS is a multi-disciplinary programme which seeks to locate the aspect of tangible and intangible heritage, materials heritage and surviving craft practices and related technological dimensions within the educational and academic discourses in social sciences and humanities. It also makes important linkages to science and technology and explores the ramifications for science and civilisation and science and society. Topics of research include archaeological sciences and the applications of scientific techniques in the study of archaeological artefacts, art objects and heritage and the study of materials heritage in particularly archaeometallurgy, the study of metal artefacts, metal working and production and extractive metallurgy and geo-archaeology. The heritage of iron and steel production and bronze casting are especially explored. Ethnographic, ethno-archaeological and social anthropological studies on traditional metal crafts are attempted keeping in mind also the broader issues of sustainability. Major studies have been made on the archaeometallurgy of south Indian bronzes and metal casting artisanal traditions in south India for icon making, mirror making, blacksmithy etc with recent grants having included the NIAS-TCS Metal Crafts Heritage and a project on Karnataka bronzes from Deparment of Archaeology and Museums, Karnataka The use of space-based applications in the study and documentation of archaeological and heritage sites forms another significant theme. Experimental archaeology and experimental metalworking is also one of the aspects with past workshops on Experimental iron smelting and bronze casting including members of crafts communities and students and staff. The implications of the use of digital technologies in heritage studies have been explored in a collaborative multi-institutional project which culminated in an exhibition on Digital Hampi which was showcased as part of an exhibition of Indian Heritage in Digital Space at National Museum (Jan-Feb 2020). Material culture is studied from a range of contexts including Chola and Vijayanagara bronzes and sculpture, megalithic cultures and metal artefacts such as high-tin bronzes from the Nilgiris, Harappan archaeometallurgy, early historic sites such as the Indo-Roman trading port of Pattanam, pre-industrial iron and steel and high-carbon wootz steel from antiquity. Projects have ranged from the UKIERI-I project in collaboration with Exeter University in archaeometallurgy which used multi-disciplinary approaches such as archaeometallurgical survey of iron and steel production landscapes, particularly in the Telangana region, GIS techniques in archaeology, materials characterisation and ethnoarchaeology, and UKIERI-II project for PhD in the area of Intangible histories (including topics in archaeology and drama) to the DST supported India Digital Heritage and Hampi Heritage Programme. Recent collaborative grants from AHRC also explore the interface between archaeology, urban studies and performance studies. Application of GIS studies is a significant area in exploring historic sites such as Nalanda and Taj Mahal. Landscape archaeology studies have been undertaken around historic Thanjavur and the Iron Age/early historic landscape of Siruthavur. The architectural history, art history and linguistic history of South India have also been major areas of studies including the Badami Chalukyas and Hoysalas and Jaina heritage. are also major aspects of study covering the Malaprabha Valley. Aspects of geo-heritage have also been explored. Major international conferences have included the Beginning of the Use of Metals and Alloys 2009. The NIAS Heritage Studies programme is working in partnership with numerous national and international institutions including Indian Institute of Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Exeter University, Kerala Council for Historical Research, Oxford Research Laboratory for History of Art and Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, British Museum, University of Chicago, Tokyo University of Arts, Toyoma University, University of Michigan and University of Chicago, USA.

Disseminating Archaeology

Tribute to Prof. S. Settar

Read an article about Walks in Bengaluru: On Foot: Discovering Bengaluru's Riveting History Walks

Ekta Gupta Student	Kuili Suganya Student	M.B.Rajani Associate Professor
S. Ranganathan Visiting Chair Professor	Sharada Srinivasan Professor	Smriti Haricharan Assistant Professor
Srikumar M. Menon Associate Professor	Uday Kumar Post Doctoral Associate	Vijayashree C S Student

Book Chapters

Menon, S.M., 2021. Flux and continuity in monument-building traditions in south India. In Rituals, collapse, and radical transformation in archaic states. Rituals, collapse, and radical transformation in archaic states. Routledge, pp. 161-184. Available at: https://www.routledge.com/Rituals-Collapse-and-Radical-Transformation-in-Archaic-States/Murphy/p/book/9780367230265.
Harshavardhan, M. & Suganya, K., 2020. Water Harvesting Systems of the Past- A Case Study of Badami, India. In Proceedings of the National Seminar on Recent Advances in Geospatial Technology & Applications. Proceedings of the National Seminar on Recent Advances in Geospatial Technology & Applications. Dehradun: Indian Institute of Remote Sensing and Indian Society of Remote Sensing.
Menon, S.M., 2019. Variants on a Theme: A Comparison of Five Dolmens of the “Hire Benakal Type. In The Archaeology of Burials: Examples from Indian Subcontinent. The Archaeology of Burials: Examples from Indian Subcontinent. New Delhi: New Bharatiya Book Corporation, pp. 361-395. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/1857.
Apoorva, G. & Menon, S.M., 2019. In search of a mythical artisan: Tracking the Jakanachari legend of Karnataka. In Human and Heritage: An Archaeological Spectrum of Asiatic Countries. Human and Heritage: An Archaeological Spectrum of Asiatic Countries. New Delhi: New Bharatiya Book Corporation, pp. 497-524. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/1858/.
Menon, S.M., 2018. Megaliths: New perspectives for future studies. In Beyond stones and more stones. Beyond stones and more stones. Bengaluru: Mythic Society, pp. 208-256.
MB, R. & Das, S., 2018. Archaeological Remains at Nalanda: A Spatial Comparison of Nineteenth Century Observations and the Protected World Heritage Site. In Records, Recoveries, Remnants and Inter-Asian Interconnections: Decoding Cultural Heritage. Records, Recoveries, Remnants and Inter-Asian Interconnections: Decoding Cultural Heritage. Singapore: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Available at: https://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg/publication/2305.
Rajangam, K., 2018. Constructing Heritage, Shaping Tourism: Festivals and Local Heritage Governance at Hampi WHS. In Creating Heritage for Tourism. Creating Heritage for Tourism. New York: Routledge, pp. 50-63.
Settar, S., 2017. Introducing Hampi: Insights from Literary and Historical Sources. In Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Springer, pp. 11-29. Available at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-981-10-5738-0?page=1#toc.
Chandru, U.V. et al., 2017. Digitizing Hampi and Lepakshi Temple Ceiling Murals: Towards Universal Access and Tangible Virtuality. In Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Singapore: Springer, pp. 189-203. Available at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-981-10-5738-0?page=1#toc.
Mallik, A., Chaudhury, S. & Chandru, V., 2017. Indian Digital Heritage: The Next Steps. In Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Singapore: Springer, pp. 393-403. Available at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-981-10-5738-0?page=2#toc.
Srinivasan, S. et al., 2017. Vijayanagara Era Narasimha Bronzes and Sculpture: Digital Iconometry. In Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Singapore: Springer. Available at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-981-10-5738-0.
P, A., Natampally, V. & Ranganathan, S., 2017. IDH Snippets. In Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Singapore: Springer. Available at: https://www.springer.com/in/book/9789811057373.
Rajangam, K., 2017. Linking People and Heritage: Lessons from Community Engagement Initiatives in India. In Heritage, Conservation and Communities: Engagement, Participation and Capacity Building. Heritiage, Culture and Identity. Heritage, Conservation and Communities: Engagement, Participation and Capacity Building. Heritiage, Culture and Identity. New York: Routledge, pp. 213-225. Available at: https://www.routledge.com/Heritage-Conservation-and-Communities-Engagement-participation-and-capacity/Chitty/p/book/9781472468000.
Chandru, V. et al., 2017. Digitally Archiving the Heritage of Hampi. In Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Singapore: Springer, pp. 373-389. Available at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-981-10-5738-0?page=2#toc.
Chaudhury, S., Mallik, A. & Chandru, V., 2017. Introduction. In Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Singapore: Springer, pp. 3-10. Available at: https://www.springer.com/in/book/9789811057373.
Srinivasan, S., 2016. Nataraja, Natesa and Orion: Archaeometallurgical and Archaeoastronomical insights into Dancing Siva Images. In Iconography of the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains: Proceedings of the National Conference. Iconography of the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains: Proceedings of the National Conference. Chennai: C P R Publications, pp. 265-285.
Srinivasan, S., 2016. Techniques of Bronze Casting. In Ecstacy of Classical Art: Indian Bronzes. Ecstacy of Classical Art: Indian Bronzes. New Delhi : National Museum Collection, National Museum, pp. 20-36 .
Srinivasan, S., 2015. Bronze image casting in Tanjavur district, Tamil Nadu: Ethnoarchaeological and archaeometallurgical insights. In Metals and Civilisations, Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on the Beginning of the Use of Metals and Alloys, NIAS Special Publication No. SP7-2015. Metals and Civilisations, Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on the Beginning of the Use of Metals and Alloys, NIAS Special Publication No. SP7-2015. Bengaluru : National Institute of Advanced Studies, pp. 209-216.
Srinivasan, S., 2015. From Temple to Mantelpiece: Changing Paradigms in the Art and Craft of South Indian Metal Icons. In Traditional Arts of South Asia: Continuity in Contemporary Practice and Patronage. . Traditional Arts of South Asia: Continuity in Contemporary Practice and Patronage. . London, UK: Saffron Books, pp. 124-148. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/1184/.
Srinivasan, S., 2014. Aesthetics and the foundations of science: Insights from Indian metallurgical traditions. In B. V. Sreekantan Foundations of Scinces. Foundations of Scinces. Delhi: Pearson, pp. 209–254. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/601/.
Srinivasan, S., 2013. Techno-cultural perspectives on medieval Southeast Asia and Southern India: Pallava bronzes and beyond. In M. J. Klokke & Degroot, V. Materializing Southeast Asia's Past: Selected Papers from the 12th International Conference of the European Association of Southeast Asian Archaeologists. Materializing Southeast Asia's Past: Selected Papers from the 12th International Conference of the European Association of Southeast Asian Archaeologists. Singapore: NUS Press, pp. 167–178. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/357/.
Srinivasan, S., 2013. Indian iron and steel, with special reference to southern India. In J. Humphris & Rehren, T. The World of Iron. The World of Iron. London: Archetype Publications, pp. 83–90. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/606/.
Srinivasan, S., 2012. Carving a global icon: The Nataraja bronze and Commaraswamy's legacy. In A. Manatunga, Amunugama, S. , & Abarathna, A. H. M. H. Asian art and culture: A research volume in honour of Ananda Coomaraswamy. Asian art and culture: A research volume in honour of Ananda Coomaraswamy. Colombo: Department of Information, Government of Sri Lanka, pp. 245–256. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/354/.
Anon., 2012. Minerals and metals heritiage of India. In XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress IMPC 2012 Souvenir. XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress IMPC 2012 Souvenir. New Delhi: IMPC, pp. 41–51. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/358/.
Srinivasan, S., 2012. Harappan continuity of high tin copper in South Asia. In D. Prakash Sharma Science and metal technology of Harappans. Science and metal technology of Harappans. New Delhi: Kaveri Books, pp. 179–193. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/603/.
Settar, S., 2011. Nature and culture in early Dravidian poetry. In R. Narasimha & Menon, S. Nature and Culture. Nature and Culture. New Delhi: PHISPC and CSC, pp. 249–257. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/264/.
Srinivasan, S., 2011. Nataraja and cosmic space: Nature and culture intertwinings in the early Tamil tradition. In R. Narasimha & Menon, S. Nature and Culture. Nature and Culture. New Delhi: PHISPC and CSC, pp. 271–288. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/259/.
Ranganathan, S. & Glover, I., 2010. Indian high-tin bronzes: A continuing tradition from ancient to modern times. In Asian high-tin bronzes: Production technology and regional characteristics. Asian high-tin bronzes: Production technology and regional characteristics. Tokyo: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, pp. 201–210. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/275/.
Srinivasan, S., 2010. Megalithic high-tin bronzes and India's living prehistory. In B. Bellina et al. 50 years of Southeast Asian Archaeology: Essays in honour of Ian Glover. 50 years of Southeast Asian Archaeology: Essays in honour of Ian Glover. Bangkok: River Books, pp. 239–271. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/282/.
Srinivasan, S. et al., 2009. South Indian Iron Age iron and high carbon steel: with reference to Kadebakele and comparative insights from Mel-siruvalur. In J. Mei & Rehren, T. Metallurgy and Civilisation: Eurasia and Beyond. Metallurgy and Civilisation: Eurasia and Beyond. London: Archetype Books, pp. 116–122. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/326/.
Srinivasan, S., 2009. Social History of Indian metalcrafts: Some archaeometallurgical and ethnoarchaeological insights. In B. D. Chattopadhyay A Social History of Early India. A Social History of Early India. New Delhi: Pearson and Longman, pp. 251–268. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/330/.
Srinivasan, S., 2008. Mirrors: Metal mirrors from India. In H. Selin Encyclopedia of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures, 2nd ed. Encyclopedia of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures, 2nd ed. New York: Springer Verlag, pp. 1699 –1704. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/327/.
Srinivasan, S., 1999. Preliminary insights into the provenance of South Indian copper alloys and images using a holistic approach of comparisons of their lead isotopes and chemical composition with slags and ores. In S. M. M. Young et al. Metals in antiquity. Metals in antiquity. Oxford: Archaeopress, pp. 200–210. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/605/.
Srinivasan, S., 1994. High-tin bronze bowl making in Kerala, South India, and its archaeological implications. In A. Parpola & Koskikallio, P. South Asian Archaeology 1993: Proceedings of the Twelfth International Conference of the European Association of South Asian Archaeologists held in Helsinki University 5-9 July 1993. South Asian Archaeology 1993: Proceedings of the Twelfth International Conference of the European Association of South Asian Archaeologists held in Helsinki University 5-9 July 1993. Helsinki: SuomalainenTiedeakatemia, pp. 675–705. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/607/.

Books

MB, R., 2020. Patterns in Past Settlements: Geospatial Analysis of Imprints of Cultural Heritage on Landscapes, Singapore: Springer. Available at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-981-15-7466-5.
S, S., 2020. Early Buddhist Artisans and their Architectural Vocabulary, Manipal: Manipal Universal Press.
.ಶೆಟ್ಟರ್, ಷ, 2020. ವೈಷ್ಣವದಿಂದ ಶ್ರೀವೈಷ್ಣವಕ್ಕೆ, ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು: ಅಭಿನವ.
.ಶೆಟ್ಟರ್, ಷ, 2020. ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಬಹುತ್ವದ ಆಯಾಮಗಳು, ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು: ಅಭಿನವ.
.ಶೆಟ್ಟರ್, ಷ, 2019. ರೂವಾರಿ, ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು: ಅಭಿನವ.
Settar, S., 2018. Prakruta Jagadvalaya: convergence of Prakrit, Kannada and Sanskrit languages, Bengaluru: Abhinava. Available at: https://www.sapnaonline.com/books/prakruta-jagadvalaya-settar-s-1234096862-5551234096864?position=1&searchString=prakruta%20jagadvalaya.
Mallik, A., Chaudhury, S. & Chandru, V., 2017. Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage, Springer. Available at: https://www.springer.com/in/book/9789811057373.
Srinivasan, S., 2017. Chola and Vijayangara Bronzes: Archaeometallurgical mapping of shifting iconographies, Banaras: Dept of History of Art Faculty of Arts, Banaras Hindu University.
Settar, S., 2017. Halagannada Bhashe, Bhasha, Vikas, Bhashabandhavya (Ancient Kannada Language, its Evolution, its Relations with other Languages), Bengaluru: Abhinava Publications.
Rao, D.S.Achuta & S ed, S., 2017. Administrative and Social History of Mysore under Wodeyars 1600-1800 CE, Manipal: Manipal University Press. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/id/eprint/1249.
Singh, T., Singh, S.Kumar & Srinivasan, S., 2016. Indian Bronze: Ecstasy of Classical Art, New Delhi: National Museum.
Haricharan, S., 2016. Siruthavoor: An Iron Age-Early Historical burial site, Tamil Nadu, South India, Oxford: Archaeopress Publishing Ltd. Available at: https://www.archaeopress.com/ArchaeopressShop/Public/displayProductDetail.asp?id={38653931-750F-4497-9679-B35EECD9DA86}.
Settar, S. & Karajagi, G., 2016. Shikshana Shilpa: Shikshanavannu Kuritha Lekhana Samputa,
Srinivasan, S., Ranganathan, S. & Guimlia-Mair, A., 2015. Metals and Civilizations, Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/756/.
Settar, S., 2014. Halagannada lipi, lipikara, lipi vyavasaya (Ancient Kannada script, scribe and cultivation of letters), Bangalore: Abhinava. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/654/.
Srinivasan, S. & Ranganathan, S., 2014. India's legendary wootz steel: An advanced material of the ancient world, Hyderabad: University Press. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/651/.
Settar, S., 2012. Aksharameru's Kaliyuga Viparitan: Earliest Tripadi Poetry in Indian Literature (c. 740 AD), Bangalore: Ruvari, Abhinava Imprint. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/324/.
Settar, S., 2011. Somanathapura: An illustrated monograph. 2nd ed., Bangalore: Ruvari, Abhinava Imprint. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/323/.
Settar, S., 2008. Somanathapura, Bangalore: Ruvari, Abhinava imprint. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/179/.
Settar, S., 2007. Sangam Tamilagam Mattu Kannada Nadu-Nudi: [The Sangam Tamilagam and Kannada Land and Language: Reflections on the Early Dravidian Relations], Bangalore: Abhinav Publications. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/110/.
Settar, S., 2005. Inviting Death, Bangalore: Kannada Pusthaka Praadhikaara. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/49/.
Srinivasan, S. & Ranganathan, S., 2004. India's legendary wootz steel: an advanced material of the ancient world, Bangalore: NIAS and IISc. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/46/.

Conference Papers

Thakur, H., 2018. Buddhism, donors and donations at Sannati (3rd century BC- 3rd century AD) – an archaeo-material perspective. In International Conference on the Growth and Development of Indian Culture: Historical and Literary Perspectives (Pre-historic Period-12th C CE.) . International Conference on the Growth and Development of Indian Culture: Historical and Literary Perspectives (Pre-historic Period-12th C CE.) . 29-6 to 1-7-2018. Bengaluru: Dr. S.R. Rao Memorial foundation for Indian Archaeology, Art and Culture.
Thakur, H., 2017. Art at Sannati-An Early Historic Buddhist Settlement in North Karnataka, India. In Second Conference of the European Association Asian Art and Archaeology. Second Conference of the European Association Asian Art and Archaeology. Aug 24-27, 2017. Switzerland: University of Zurich.
Anon., 2015. Of faces and phases: High-tin bronze metallurgy and South India and Tamil innovations. In The IIM NMD ATM 2015 - International Symposium on "Vision 2025 - Global Challenges and Opportunities in Steel Industry" and 69th Annual Technical Meeting of the Indian Institute of Metals, New Horizons in Materials processing and applications. The IIM NMD ATM 2015 - International Symposium on "Vision 2025 - Global Challenges and Opportunities in Steel Industry" and 69th Annual Technical Meeting of the Indian Institute of Metals, New Horizons in Materials processing and applications. 11/2015. Coimbatore, India. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/1083/.
Srinivasan, S., 2014. Iconographic trends in Rama worship: Insights from techno-cultural studies of bronzes. In Conference on ‘The Ramayana in Literature, Society and the Arts. February 1-2, 2013. pp. 345-62 . Conference on ‘The Ramayana in Literature, Society and the Arts. February 1-2, 2013. pp. 345-62 . Chennai: CP Ramaswamy Aiyar Institute of Indological Research.
Srinivasan, S. & Ranganathan, S., 2012. Ultra-high carbon steels and high-tin bronzes: Insights into mechanical properties and processing from Indian traditional knowledge. In ICSMA-16, 16th International Conference on Strength of Materials. ICSMA-16, 16th International Conference on Strength of Materials. p. 57. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/550/.
Srinivasan, S., 2012. The Nataraja bronze: Insights on art, technology and philosophy. In Indian Art and Religion: An Interactive Approach, 21st Session of Indian Art History Congress. Indian Art and Religion: An Interactive Approach, 21st Session of Indian Art History Congress. p. 113. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/551/.
Ranganathan, S., 2012. Telangana archaeomaterials: analytical perspectives. In Royal Society and DST India-UK Scientific Seminar on 'Indian iron and steel - developing interdisciplinary applications in archaeometallurgy and geospatial archaeology'. Royal Society and DST India-UK Scientific Seminar on 'Indian iron and steel - developing interdisciplinary applications in archaeometallurgy and geospatial archaeology'. March. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/552/.

Conference Proceedings

Menon, S.M., 2018. From megaliths to temples: Astronomy in the lithic record of South India. 9th International Conference on Oriental Astronomy, Growth and Development of Astronomy and Astrophysics in India and the Asia-Pacific Region, p.241‒258.

Journal Articles

Gupta, E. & MB, R., 2020. Historical Coastal Maps: Importance and Challenges in their use in Studying Coastal Geomorphology. Journal of Coastal Conservation, 2020(24:24). Available at: https://link.springer.com/epdf/10.1007/s11852-020-00739-7.
Mahajan, A., Rajangam, K. & Babu, S.Suresh, 2020. Doctoral Journeys: From Field Diaries to Institutional (ised) Authorship. Economic and Political Weekly, LV(22), pp.53-60. Available at: https://www.epw.in/journal/2020/22/special-articles/doctoral-journeys.html.
Suganya, K. & MB, R., 2020. Riverfront Gardens and City Walls of Mughal Agra: A Study of Their Locations, Extent and Subsequent Transformations Using Remote Sensing and GIS. South Asian Studies . Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02666030.2020.1721119?journalCode=rsas20&.
Suganya, K., 2020. Challenges in Geospatial Documentation of Unprotected Built Heritage Sites in India. Current Science , 118(6), pp.877-882. Available at: https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/118/06/0877.pdf.
S, U., 2020. The Traditional Craft of Leather Bellows-Making:Technoethnoarchaeological Perspectives from Sholapur, India. The Crucible, Historical Metallurgy Society News, 103, pp.4-5. Available at: https://historicalmetallurgy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/The-Crucible-103.pdf.
Gupta, E. & MB, R., 2020. Geospatial Analysis of Historical Cartographic Data of Kollam Fort. Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing.
Gupta, E. & MB, R., 2020. Historical Coastal Maps: Importance and Challenges in their use in Studying Coastal Geomorphology. Journal of Coastal Conservation, 2020(24:24). Available at: https://link.springer.com/epdf/10.1007/s11852-020-00739-7.
Das, S. et al., 2019. Radiocarbon Dating of Historical Bricks: Exploring the Unprotected Archaeological Mounds in the Environs of Excavated Site of Nalanda. Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, 85(3), pp.629-636. Available at: https://insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/PINSA/PINSA_2019_Art27.pdf.
Menon, S.M., 2019. Protohistoric Megaliths or Graves of Chalukyan Artisans: New Discovery of a Megalithic Site near Pattadakal. Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology,, 7, pp.135-158. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/1856.
Gupta, E., MB, R. & Menon, S.M., 2019. Remote Sensing Investigation of the Buddhist Archaeological Landscape Around Sannati, India. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports , 25(June 2019), pp.294-307. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352409X18303997.
S, V.C., 2019. Perpetual Metamorphosis: Feminist Re-Imagination of Two Hindu Themes. ICON, NMI Journal of History of Art, 4, pp.90-100.
Haricharan, S., 2019. Taking Archaeological Concepts outside the Social Science Class in Indian Schools. Exarc Journal, (2). Available at: https://exarc.net/issue-2019-2/int/taking-archaeological-concepts-outside-social-science-class-indian-schools.
S, U., 2019. A Study of Art and Architecture of Avudayar Kovil Temple of Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu. Art Style: Art & Culture International Magazine, (1), pp.101-106. Available at: https://artstyle.international/issue-1/.
Haricharan, S., 2019. Localizing the Different Faces of Archaeological Landscapes in South India. Public Archaeology. Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14655187.2018.1554401?needAccess=true&journalCode=ypua20.
MB, R. & Kumar, V., 2019. Nalanda: A Tale in the Twist. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians,, 78(4), pp.392-408. Available at: https://jsah.ucpress.edu/content/78/4/392.
Suganya, K. & MB, R., 2019. Underground Water Supply System in the late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century Bangalore. Water History, pp.1-21. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12685-018-0223-8.
Rajangam, K., 2019. A Bureaucracy of Care in Managing Hampi World Heritage Site. Journal of Social Archaeology. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1469605319893532.
S, U., 2018. Traditional Grains Storage Practices of Chettiar Community in Tamil Nadu with Special Reference to Shivaganga District. Journal of the Centre for Heritage Studies, 1.
Srinivasan, S., 2018. Early Gold Mining and Jewellery: Some Insights from the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. SAARC Culture, 6, pp.88-103.
Menon, S.M. & Padigar, S.V., 2018. Prehistoric Painted Rock Shelter or Chalukyan Workshop? New Discovery of a Rock Art Site near Aihole and Its Examination in Context. Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology , 6, p.529‐554. Available at: http://www.heritageuniversityofkerala.com/.
Kuppa, M. & Menon, S.M., 2018. Stories from Silent Stones: on the Shape of Wedge Marks as a Diagnostic of Stone‐Craft of Different Periods. Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology , 6, p.438‐486. Available at: http://www.heritageuniversityofkerala.com/.
S, U., V.S, S. & Pandey, L., 2018. Ancient iron Smelting in Nathara-Ki-Pal, Southeast Rajasthan. History Today: Journal of History and Historical Archaeology, 19, pp.203-207.
Komandur, K. & Menon, S.M., 2018. Finishing the Unfinished: Conjectural Restoration of the Open Mantapas at Badami. Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology , 6, p.344‐396. Available at: http://www.heritageuniversityofkerala.com/.
Thakur, H., 2018. Role of Geography in sustenance of Pre-historic Settlements in Karnataka, India. Annals of the National Association of Geographers, India (NAGI), 38(1), pp.72-88.
Thakur, H., 2018. Sannati – an Early Historic Buddhist Settlement in North Karnataka, India. The Quarterly Journal of The Mythic Society, 109(4), pp.1-17. Available at: http://mythicsociety.org/.
S, U. & Srinivasan, S., 2018. Traditional Techniques of Gold Jewellery: A Case Study of Devakottai,Tamil Nadu. Journal of the Centre for Heritage Studies, 1.
S, U. et al., 2018. A Unique Bimetallic Antiquity from the Early Historic site of Iswal, Rajasthan, India. Pakistan Heritage, 10, pp.91-97.
Thakur, H., 2017. Archaeological Heritage in Karnataka with Particular Reference to Geographical Setting. Transactions: Institute of Indian Geographers, 39(1), pp.109-114. Available at: http://iigeo.org/journal/.
Gupta, E. et al., 2017. The need for a National Archaeological database. Current Science, 113(10), pp.1961-1973. Available at: http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/113/10/1961.pdf.
Thakur, H., 2017. Early Historic Material Culture in Karnataka with Particular Reference to Banavasi, North Kanara, India. Ancient Asia, 8(2), pp.1-11. Available at: http://www.ancient-asia-journal.com/articles/10.5334/aa.126/.
Navalgund, R. & MB, R., 2017. The science behind archaeological signatures from space. Current Science, 113(10), pp.1859-1872. Available at: http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/113/10/1859.pdf.
Srinivasan, S., 2017. Copper Smelting Slags at Ingaldhal Mines, Karnataka: Early Historic Satavahana Links. Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals, 70(2), pp.541-546. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12666-016-1013-6.
Srinivasan, S., 2017. Iron Age Beta (23% tin) Bronze: Peninsular Indian Bowls of Adichanallur, Nilgiris and Boregaon. Materials and Manufacturing Processes. Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10426914.2016.1244843?fbclid=IwAR0NBah_CdZ3bixAzQ3jCv5W85qp_Twf5c1eXoly_ugTeIRLjUAzKzB7kqo&journalCode=lmmp20&scroll=top&needAccess=true.
Rajangam, K. & MB, R., 2017. Applications of geospatial technology in the management of cultural heritage sites – potentials and challenges for the Indian region. Current Science, 113(10), pp.1948-1960. Available at: http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/113/10/1948.pdf.
Gupta, E., Das, S. & MB, R., 2017. Archaeological Exploration in Srirangapatna and Its Environ Through Remote Sensing Analysis. Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, pp.1-7. Available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12524-017-0659-9.
Rajangam, K., 2017. Best Laid Plans: Research Design and Field in a Study of Crafts in the Hampi Region. Craft Research, 8(1), pp.9-31.
Srinivasan, S., 2017. Ultrahigh-carbon "wootz' from Crucible Carburization of Molten Iron: Hypereutectoid Steel from "Tamil Nadu Process" at Mel-siruvalur. Materials and Manufacturing Processes.
Menon, S.M., 2017. Temples of Memory: the Bhutnath Temple Environs at Badami as a Commemorative Landscape. Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology,, 5, pp.576-605.
Thakur, H., 2016. Chandravalli – an early historic settlement in Karnataka, India. Journal of Ancient History and Archeology, 3(3), pp.49-54. Available at: http://jaha.org.ro/index.php/JAHA/article/view/173.
Srinivasan, S., 2016. Metallurgy of zine, high-tin bronze and gold in Indian antiquity: Methodological aspects. Indian Journal of History of Science, 51(1), pp.22-32. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/1082/.
Thakur, H., 2016. Early Historic Culture at Vadgaon-Madhavapur, (c.300 BC-c.300 AD): An Archaeo-material Perspective. Pragmata: Journal of Human Sciences, 3(1), pp.70-82. Available at: http://journal.tumkuruniversity.ac.in:8080/index.php/ijssh/issue/archive.
Srinivasan, S., 2016. Indian High-Tin Bronzes and the Grecian and Persian World. Indian Journal of History of Science, 51(4), pp.601-612. Available at: http://insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/IJHS/Vol51_4_2016_Art07.pdf.
Ahuja, D.R. & MB, R., 2016. On the symmetry of the central dome of the Taj Mahal. Current Science, 110(6), pp.996-999. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/1032/.
MB, R., 2016. A study of Nalanda’s expanse using GIS and Remote Sensing. Archives of Asian Art, 66.
Menon, S.M., 2016. The “Round Mound” and its Structural Requirements: A Possible Scenario for the Evolution of the Form of the Stupa. Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, 4, pp.26-46. Available at: http://www.heritageuniversityofkerala.com/pdf.js/web/viewer.html?file=/JournalPDF/Volume4/3.pdf.
Srinivasan, S., 2016. Tamil Chola Bronzes and Swamimalai Legacy: Metal Sources and Archaeotechnology. The Journal of The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS), 68, pp.1-15. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/1084/.
Haricharan, S. et al., 2016. Locating iron production sites in Telangana, India using satellite imagery. Current Science, 111(9), pp.1536-1543. Available at: http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/111/09/1536.pdf.
Nagae, T. et al., 2014. Thermographical Analysis of Continuing Tradition of Mirror Casting in Kerala. ISIJ International, 54, pp.1172–1176. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/628/.
Juleff, G. et al., 2014. Northern Telangana, an Iron and Crucible Steel Production Landscape in India. ISIJ International, 54, pp.1030–1037. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/638/.
MB, R. & Kasturirangan, K., 2014. Multispectral remote sensing data analysis and application for detecting moats around medieval settlements in South India. Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing., 10.
Srinivasan, S., 2013. Megalithic and continuing peninsular high-tin binary bronzes: Possible roots in Harappan binary bronze usage?. Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals, 66, pp.731–737. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/604/.
Srinivasan, S., 2013. Megalithic and surviving binary high-tin bronze traditions in southern India: Tracing binary bronze usage to Harappan times. Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals,, 66(5-6), pp.731-737.
MB, R. & Kasturirangan, K., 2013. ‘Sea-Level changes and its impact on coastal Archaeological monuments: Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram’. Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, 41(2), p.468. Available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12524-012-0210-y.
Srinivasan, S., 2012. Swamimalai bronze casting: Chola traditions and changing parameters. Camp - ISIJ, 25, pp.816–820. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/591/.
MB, R. et al., 2012. ‘Demonstration of the synergy between multi-sensor satellite data, GIS and ground truth to explore the archaeological site in Talakadu region in South India’. Journal of Geomatics, Indian Society of Geomatics., 6.
Kuzhiparambil, A. & MB, R., 2012. Epicentres of missing daughters: Geo-spatial dimensions of the child sex ratio in India. Asian Population Studies, 8, pp.265–280. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/341/.
Iyer, M., Nagendra, H. & MB, R., 2012. Using satellite imagery and historical maps to study the original contours of Lalbagh Botanical Garden. Current Science, 102, pp.507–509. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/296/.
Nalini, N.S. & MB, R., 2012. Stone fortress of Chitledroog: Visualizing old landscape of Chitradurga by integrating spatial information from multiple sources. Current Science, 103, pp.381–387. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/340/.
Srinivasan, S., 2011. Jain bronzes in Karnataka: some art historical and technical aspects. IUP Journal of History and Culture, 5, pp.2–9. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/244/.
MB, R. & AS, R., 2011. Potential of satellite based sensors for studying distribution of archaeological site along palaeo channels: Harappan sites a case study. Journal of archaeological sciences, Elsevier, 38.
MB, R. & Kasturirangan, K., 2011. Satellite image and {India}’s past. Futute of the past: a workshop organized under the aegis of {ICTS}. {Nov}, 22-26.
MB, R., Bhattacharya, S. & AS, R., 2011. Synergistic Application of Optical and Radar Data for Archaeological Exploration in the Talakadu Region, Karnataka. Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/249/.
Nalini, N.S. & MB, R., 2009. in In Stefano Campana, Maurizio Forte and Claudia Liuzza (Eds.). Space, Time, Place Third International Conference on Remote Sensing in Archaeology, 17th-21st, 978, pp.173-177.
MB, R., Patra, S.K. & Verma, M., 2009. Space observation for generating 3D perspective views and its implications to study the archaeological site of Badami in India. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 10, pp.20–26. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/247/.
MB, R., 2009. Space based remote sensing applications for archaeology. Proc. SPIE, 7651.
MB, R. & Patra, S.K., 2009. Application of satellite image processing techniques for Talakadu, a unique archaeological landscape in India. PHOTO-INTERPRETATION, ESKA, 45, pp.168-175.
Srinivasan, S., 2007. Cosmic dance. India International Centre Quarterly, 34, pp.126–137. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/600/.
Srinivasan, S. & Glover, I., 2007. Skilled mirror craft of intermetallic delta high-tin bronze (Cu31Sn8, 32.6% tin) from Aranmula, Kerala. Current Science, 93, pp.35–40. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/236/.
MB, R., 2007. Bangalore from above: An archaeological overview. Current Science, 93, pp.1352–1353. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/104/.
Kasturirangan, K. & MB, R., 2007. Indian Space Programme. Current Science, 93, pp.1645–1646. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/105/.
Srinivasan, S., 2007. On Higher Carbon and Crucible Steels in Southern India: Further Insights from Mel-siruvalur, Kodumanal and Pattinam. Indian Journal of History of Science, 42, pp.673–695. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/328/.
Srinivasan, S., 2006. Megalithic high-tin bronzes: Ethnoarchaeological and archaeometallurgical insights on manufacture and possible artistic and musical significance. Man and Environment, XXXI, pp.1–8. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/602/.
Srinivasan, S., 2006. Art and Science of Chola Bronzes. Orientations, 37(8), pp.46-55.
Narasimha, R. et al., 2005. Six months after the tsunami. Current Science, 89, pp.1459–1461. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/106/.
Srinivasan, S., 2004. Shiva as 'cosmic dancer':on Pallava origins of the Nataraja bronze. World Archaeology, 36, pp.432–450. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/238/.
Srinivasan, S., 2001. Dating the Nataraja dance icon: Technical insights. Marg-A Magazine of the Arts, 52, pp.54–69. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/331/.
Srinivasan, S., 1999. Lead isotope and trace element analysis in the study of over a hundred South Indian metal icons. Archaeometry, 41, pp.91–116. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/325/.
Srinivasan, S., 1998. The use of tin and bronze in prehistoric South Indian metallurgy. JOM: The Journal of Minerals, Metals, 50, pp.44–49. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/332/.
Srinivasan, S., 1997. Present and past of southern Indian crafts for making mirrors, lamps, bells, vessels, cymbals and gongs: links with prehistoric high tin bronzes from Mohenjodaro, Taxila, South Indian megaliths and later finds. Journal of the Society for South Asian Studies, 13, pp.209–225. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/329/.
Srinivasan, S. & Glover, I., 1995. Wrought and quenched, and cast high-tin bronzes to Kerala State, India. The Journal of the Historical Metallurgy Society, 29, pp.69–87. Available at: http://eprints.nias.res.in/608/.

Pages

Metal mirrors were made in antiquity across the Old World including in Egypt, India, China and the Mediterrranean. The metal mirror craft of the village of Aranmula in Kerala is perhaps the last known surviving metal mirror making tradition in the world. Prof Sharada Srinivasan of National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore has been following families of mirror makers in Aranmula for the past three decades and publishing scientific articles about them such as in Springer’s ‘Encyclopedia of non-western science, technology and medicine’ and with late Dr Ian Glover of Institute of Archaeology, London in Journal of Historical Metallurgy (1995). In this video she takes the viewer through the highlights of the unique mirror making process of Aranmula, the Val-Kannadi which was part of the trousseu of Nair brides, and which she found was made of an extraordinary reflective high-tin delta bronze alloy of around 33% tin. The video was shot in the workshop of the eminent mastercraftsman Shri Gopukumar Achary of Aranmula in 2008, located next to the Pampa river, with Prof Sharada Srinivasan unpacking the various intricate and meticulous steps that went into this ageold craft and filmed by Mr Baalaji.

Prof. Sharada Srinivasan- Aaranmula metal-mirror making

National Institute of Advanced Studies
Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bengaluru - 560 012, India

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