【Date】
June 9 (Thu), 5:00-6:00 p.m.

【Venue】
Ground Floor, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, The University of Tokyo

【Speaker】
Ayumu Konasukawa (Postdoctoral Fellow JSPS)

【Title】
Classification of the Indus Type Seals in Light of Their Carving Techniques and its Significance:
Archaeological Consideration through SEM and 3D (PEAKIT) Analyses

【Commentator】
Ryosuke Furui(Associate Professor, IASA, The University of Tokyo)

【Abstract】

This presentation attempts to discuss the classification of the Indus-Type Seals in light of their carving techniques through SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) and 3D (PEAKIT) analyses, and its significance.
As the analyses through SEM and 3D (PEAKIT) images describe, it has become evident that the Indus-Type Seals are characterized in various carving techniques and tools. Although data for the analyses is still limited, the results of this study lead to an important conclusion that has not been pointed out so far, that Indus-Type Seals can be classified based on shape of a cross section of the seal passing through the body of the animal depicted on the surface of the seal, namely whether the edge of the cross section is curved or angular (in some seals it is partly curved and partly angular). The two cross-section types are a result of the different carving techniques and carving tools, and correspond to the size of the seals.
Furthermore, because the different shapes of the cross sections correspond to the difference of design and distribution pattern of the seals, Indus-Type Seals can be divided into following two types. The Type-A seal is characterized by a left-facing animal motif having a curved cross section, a ‘Pattern I’ arrangement and a ‘type I’ boss. This type is distributed predominantly throughout the Indus Valley, excluding the Ghaggar Basin. The Type-B seal is characterized by a right-facing animal motif having an angular cross section and mainly a ‘Pattern II’ or ‘Pattern III’ arrangement and a ‘type II’ boss. It is concentrated in the Ghaggar Basin. This study concludes that it is likely that both seal types show the regional variations of Indus-Type Seals.
The next objectives in the study of the seals will be to accumulate SEM and 3D (PEAKIT) data of the Indus-Type Seals and to undertake an experimental archaeological study in order to fully understand and reconstruct the manufacturing techniques and tools.

【Language】
Japanese