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October, 4 (Friday) -- 6 (Sunday), 1996
Atlanta (Georgia), U.S.A.
Keynote Address:
Language, Chronology and Cultural Continuity
in South Asian Archaeology
Jim G. Shaffer, Ph. D.
Department of Anthropology
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7125, U.S.A.
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South Asian archaeology remains significantly influenced
by ideas and interpretations proposed by the early prominent scholars (e.g.,
Marshall and Wheeler) that developed this area's archaeological record
into one of international importance. However, seldom is it recognized
these same ideas and interpretations significantly reflect eighteenth and
nineteenth century European perceptions of history, language and ethnicity.
At the same time these theoretical approaches continue to influence our
understanding of even the most recent archaeological discoveries.
This paper will first discuss the historical background
of South Asian archaeology as well as it's theoretical limitations that
continue to dramatically influence recent interpretations. Finally, the
focus shifts to recent developments in the archeological and chronological
data and they argue for a basic restructuring, rather than just new designations,
of South Asian archaeology.
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