11-19-2005, 02:25 AM
ASI to fish out Elephanta islandâs Roman links<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--> NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 13: Underwater archaeologists are set to uncover unknown secrets of Elephanta island, buried in the Arabian Sea. Extensive explorations on the islandâits shores and the beachesâhave revealed a treasure indicating existence of a rich trade with the late Roman Empire during the 4th to 7th century AD.
The findings establish it as a significant port of the periodâa fact hitherto unknown. And that people on the west coast liked imported goods and Roman wine. The small island, east of Mumbai, was, so far, best known for its cave temples and rock-cut images, specially of the monolithic elephant which once stood on its southern tip.
Advertisement
With the Underwater Archaeology Wing of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) finding late Roman amphorae, coins and sherds of pottery â including red polished ware, black slipped ware, red ware and some gray ware â on Elephanta, the stage is now set for a proper excavation around the island. The finding had come as a surprise, since so far, large number of amphorae were found only in Kanchipuram and Arikamedu.
...
ââWe will start excavation in the ongoing field season of 2005-06. Since exploration results have been encouraging, we expect Elephanta to be a rich heritage site,ââ Tripathi added. This is the second site which the wing will excavate, after Mahabalipuram.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The findings establish it as a significant port of the periodâa fact hitherto unknown. And that people on the west coast liked imported goods and Roman wine. The small island, east of Mumbai, was, so far, best known for its cave temples and rock-cut images, specially of the monolithic elephant which once stood on its southern tip.
Advertisement
With the Underwater Archaeology Wing of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) finding late Roman amphorae, coins and sherds of pottery â including red polished ware, black slipped ware, red ware and some gray ware â on Elephanta, the stage is now set for a proper excavation around the island. The finding had come as a surprise, since so far, large number of amphorae were found only in Kanchipuram and Arikamedu.
...
ââWe will start excavation in the ongoing field season of 2005-06. Since exploration results have been encouraging, we expect Elephanta to be a rich heritage site,ââ Tripathi added. This is the second site which the wing will excavate, after Mahabalipuram.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->