Yale University and Archaeological Survey of India enter into a Memorandum of Understanding

This January, Yale University and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding. Both institutions had been separately engaged in various activities related to heritage and archaeology, preservation and conservation, dissemination and research, publications, and outreach. Now, both will together explore possibilities for collaboration on these activities.

ASI is housed under the Ministry of Culture in India. It is a premier organization for archaeological researches and protection of the cultural heritage of India. ASI and Yale will pursue collaborative research opportunities and projects of mutual interest such as investigation into the provenance of ancient artifacts like those of the Harappan Civilization. Researchers will identify trace elements in pottery, gold, copper and silver jewelry using scientific methods in archaeology. The partner institutions will further investigate the possibility of mapping trade routes used during the Harappan Civilization era.

Tracking the trade routes of gold is a project of particular interest to Dr. Satish Dhawan, Senior Research Scientist at the Department of Physics at Yale University. According to Dr. Dhawan, jewelry from the era has thus far not established conclusively if it were made locally. Elemental analyses of impurities in gold can be extremely useful in tracing trade routes since these leave a trail about origins. The challenge is to extract these impurities through non-destructive techniques.

The two institutions will also work together towards developing various tools for better conservation and preservation of ancient artifacts and built heritage. They will build academic collaborations to engage in other areas of research as well such as developing a chronology of spread of Buddhism in and from India and, more broadly, the dissemination of knowledge.

Dr. V.N. Prabhakar, Superintending Archaeologist at the Underwater Archaeology Wing at ASI, has stressed that investigations that can yield novel insights into various material remains like grinding stones, stone beads, limestone, and a variety of other rocks are immensely possible.  The same holds true for metal objects made from gold, silver, lead, and copper. There is much scope for new discoveries through researches into basic material characteristics, which can in turn enhance  our understandings of ancient civilizations such as the Harappa civilization.

The two institutions will also build projects to garner greater understanding of ancient manufacturing processes.  This line of research will look into ancient technologies involved in fashioning various materials, smelting of raw materials to obtain pure or near pure metals, the deployment of various techniques such as forging and welding, and technologies to achieve finished products.  

Over time, these foci will be expanded to include other related topics of mutual interest. Finally, the two institutions will mutually engage in training and capacity building of professional staff and leaders.