Latest news with #AbhijitAmbekar
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ancient Indian skeleton gets a museum home six years after excavation
A 1,000 year-old human skeleton which was buried sitting cross-legged in India has been moved to a museum six years after it was excavated. The BBC had reported earlier this month that the skeleton had been left inside an unprotected tarpaulin shelter close to the excavation site in western Gujarat state since 2019 because of bureaucratic wrangling. On Thursday, the skeleton was shifted to a local museum, just a few miles away from where it was unearthed. Authorities say that it will be placed on display for the public after administrative procedures are completed. Mahendra Surela, curator of the Archaeological Experiential Museum in Vadnagar where the skeleton has now been shifted, told the BBC that the skeleton was transported with "utmost care" and under the supervision of several experts. He added that officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) - the agency responsible for preservation of archaeological research - will examine the skeleton before taking a decision on where and how the skeleton should be displayed in the museum. It is currently placed next to the reception and is fenced in by a protective barrier. "It is likely that we may shift it to the second floor, where a photograph of the skeleton is already placed," Mr Surela said. Archaeologist Abhijit Ambekar, who discovered the skeleton, said that he was happy that the significant find was getting the attention it deserved. Ambekar had earlier told the BBC that the skeleton was a rare discovery as similar remains had been found at only three other sites in India. But as officials argued over who should take charge of the skeleton, it remained in a make-shift tent close to the excavation site, unprotected by security guards and exposed to natural elements. Experts say that the skeleton likely belongs to the Solanki period. The Solanki dynasty, also known as the Chaulukya dynasty, ruled over parts of modern-day Gujarat between 940 to 1300 CE. The skeleton had managed to survive the passage of time because the soil around it had remained undisturbed and displayed characteristics that aided preservation. Mr Ambekar said that the remains could shed light on the phenomenon of "samadhi burials" - an ancient burial practice among Hindus where revered figures were buried rather than cremated.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Gujarat: Ancient Indian skeleton gets a museum home six years after excavation
A 1,000 year-old human skeleton which was buried sitting cross-legged in India has been moved to a museum six years after it was BBC had reported earlier this month that the skeleton had been left inside an unprotected tarpaulin shelter close to the excavation site in western Gujarat state since 2019 because of bureaucratic Thursday, the skeleton was shifted to a local museum, just a few miles away from where it was say that it will be placed on display for the public after administrative procedures are completed. Mahendra Surela, curator of the Archaeological Experiential Museum in Vadnagar where the skeleton has now been shifted, told the BBC that the skeleton was transported with "utmost care" and under the supervision of several added that officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) - the agency responsible for preservation of archaeological research - will examine the skeleton before taking a decision on where and how the skeleton should be displayed in the museum. It is currently placed next to the reception and is fenced in by a protective barrier."It is likely that we may shift it to the second floor, where a photograph of the skeleton is already placed," Mr Surela Abhijit Ambekar, who discovered the skeleton, said that he was happy that the significant find was getting the attention it had earlier told the BBC that the skeleton was a rare discovery as similar remains had been found at only three other sites in India. But as officials argued over who should take charge of the skeleton, it remained in a make-shift tent close to the excavation site, unprotected by security guards and exposed to natural say that the skeleton likely belongs to the Solanki period. The Solanki dynasty, also known as the Chaulukya dynasty, ruled over parts of modern-day Gujarat between 940 to 1300 skeleton had managed to survive the passage of time because the soil around it had remained undisturbed and displayed characteristics that aided Ambekar said that the remains could shed light on the phenomenon of "samadhi burials" - an ancient burial practice among Hindus where revered figures were buried rather than cremated.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Left for dead again: Ancient Indian skeleton still waiting for permanent address
A 1,000 year-old human skeleton buried sitting cross-legged in India is still without a museum to house it because of bureaucratic wrangling, six years after it was unearthed. Archaeologist Abhijit Ambekar made the significant discovery in 2019, when he spotted what looked like the top of a human skull in western Gujarat state. As his team dug deeper, they found the well-preserved remains in a pit in what appeared to be a meditative posture. Similar remains have been found at only three other sites in India. But officials are still arguing over who should take charge of the skeleton. It remains in a makeshift shelter – not far from a new museum of local archaeology. Abhijit Ambekar says the skeleton - found in the town of Vadnagar - is likely to belong to the Solanki period. The Solanki dynasty, also known as the Chaulukya dynasty, ruled over parts of modern-day Gujarat between 940 to 1300 CE. The skeleton's right arm rested on its lap and its left arm lay suspended in the air, as if resting on a stick. "The skeleton is an extremely valuable find, not just for Vadnagar but for the whole country. It can help us understand how our ancestors lived, and reveal details about the past that are yet unknown," says Dr Ambekar, who heads the Archaeology Survey of India (ASI) division in Mumbai, and led the team that found the skeleton. That it is yet to find a proper resting place, despite its archaeological significance, appears to come down to red tape. Mr Ambekar says the Gujarat government's plan for all artefacts excavated from Vadnagar was to place them in local museums. He says around 9,000 artefacts, including the skeleton, that were excavated from Vadnagar between 2016 and 2022 by the ASI and had been handed over to the Gujarat government have been placed in local museums - except for the skeleton. However, the state government says the skeleton is still in the possession of the ASI. "As proper process was not followed, it [the skeleton] was not placed in the museum," Pankaj Sharma, director of the state's Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, told the BBC. Yadubir Singh Rawat, director general of the ASI, did not respond to the BBC's questions on the matter. M Thennarasan, principal secretary of the state's Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department told the BBC, that authorities were working on shifting the skeleton to a museum as soon as possible. Excavating the skeleton was a time-consuming process, Mr Ambekar says, adding that it took two months to complete. Various tools were used to carefully brush the soil away and free the skeleton from its ancient grave. It is currently housed in a tarpaulin shelter in Vadnagar, unprotected by security guards and exposed to natural elements. Locals sometimes bring relatives and friends to see the skeleton - a curiosity that has put a spotlight on the town, which is also the birthplace of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What's interesting is that just a short distance away is the new Archaeological Experiential Museum - inaugurated by India's home minister in January. According to a government press release, the museum has been built at a cost of $35m and is spread across 12,500 sq m. It boasts that it showcases "Vadnagar's 2,500-year-old history with over 5,000 artefacts, including ceramics, coins, tools and skeletal remains". While the museum has a massive framed photo of the skeleton, it does not house the actual remains. Vadnagar is a historically significant region in Gujarat and excavations by the ASI have found traces of human settlements dating back to more than 2,000 years ago. Mr Ambekar says that portions of an earthen rampart believed to have been built by the region's first settlers exists even today. Digs have also revealed remnants of ancient Buddhist monasteries and stupas. These findings and others – such as terracotta figurines, coins, shell jewellery and stone and copper plate inscriptions - have helped archaeologists establish seven cultural sequences or phases in the area, starting from around the 2nd Century BCE and dating all the way up to the 19th Century CE. Mr Ambekar says the age of the skeleton he and his team found was estimated based on a DNA analysis of its teeth and a stratigraphic study of the excavation site. Stratigraphy involves studying rock sediments or layers of earth to determine their age. This is then used to establish the chronology of historical events or the approximate age of artefacts. "The DNA analysis tells us that the skeleton is of local ancestry and belongs to a man in his forties, but more studies need to be done to understand his diet and lifestyle, which will in turn give us a better understanding of the region as it existed 1,000 years ago," he says. It could also shed light on the phenomenon of "samadhi burials" - an ancient burial practice among Hindus where revered figures were buried instead of being cremated, Mr Ambekar says. He adds that the skeleton had managed to survive the passage of time because the soil around it had remained undisturbed and displayed characteristics that prevent skeletal decay. Extricating the skeleton from the site and moving it to its current location was not an easy task. First, a block of earth with the skeleton nestled inside was cut out from the soil surrounding it. The skeleton and soil were treated with different chemicals to consolidate their structures. The block of earth was then put into a wooden box filled with wet mud and a crane was used to move the box to its current site. The entire operation took six days to complete, says Mr Ambekar. He hopes that the skeleton will find a place in a museum soon. But he adds it will need to have mechanisms to control the temperature and humidity of the space to prevent the skeleton from decomposing. Locals the BBC spoke to expressed similar sentiments and blamed "red tapeism" for the back-and-forth over the skeleton. "We are proud of Vadnagar's ancient history but this treatment of a 1,000-year-old skeleton is deeply concerning. What is the point of building a museum if the most unique antiquity is left outside under a plastic roof?" Vadnagar resident Jesang Thakor said. Another resident, Bethaji Thakor, said that he believed the skeleton could draw tourists from around the world to Vadnagar. "Where else will you get to see something like this?"
BBC News
05-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Gujarat: Ancient Indian skeleton still waits for permanent address
A 1,000 year-old human skeleton buried sitting cross-legged in India is still without a museum to house it because of bureaucratic wrangling, six years after it was Abhijit Ambekar made the significant discovery in 2019, when he spotted what looked like the top of a human skull in western Gujarat his team dug deeper, they found the well-preserved remains in a pit in what appeared to be a meditative posture. Similar remains have been found at only three other sites in officials are still arguing over who should take charge of the skeleton. It remains in a makeshift shelter – not far from a new museum of local archaeology. Abhijit Ambekar says the skeleton - found in the town of Vadnagar - is likely to belong to the Solanki period. The Solanki dynasty, also known as the Chaulukya dynasty, ruled over parts of modern-day Gujarat between 940 to 1300 skeleton's right arm rested on its lap and its left arm lay suspended in the air, as if resting on a stick."The skeleton is an extremely valuable find, not just for Vadnagar but for the whole country. It can help us understand how our ancestors lived, and reveal details about the past that are yet unknown," says Dr Ambekar, who heads the Archaeology Survey of India (ASI) division in Mumbai, and led the team that found the it is yet to find a proper resting place, despite its archaeological significance, appears to come down to red Ambekar says the Gujarat government's plan for all artefacts excavated from Vadnagar was to place them in local says around 9,000 artefacts, including the skeleton, that were excavated from Vadnagar between 2016 and 2022 by the ASI and had been handed over to the Gujarat government have been placed in local museums - except for the the state government says the skeleton is still in the possession of the ASI."As proper process was not followed, it [the skeleton] was not placed in the museum," Pankaj Sharma, director of the state's Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, told the Singh Rawat, director general of the ASI, did not respond to the BBC's questions on the matter.M Thennarasan, principal secretary of the state's Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department told the BBC, that authorities were working on shifting the skeleton to a museum as soon as possible. Excavating the skeleton was a time-consuming process, Mr Ambekar says, adding that it took two months to complete. Various tools were used to carefully brush the soil away and free the skeleton from its ancient is currently housed in a tarpaulin shelter in Vadnagar, unprotected by security guards and exposed to natural elements. Locals sometimes bring relatives and friends to see the skeleton - a curiosity that has put a spotlight on the town, which is also the birthplace of Prime Minister Narendra interesting is that just a short distance away is the new Archaeological Experiential Museum - inaugurated by India's home minister in to a government press release, the museum has been built at a cost of $35m and is spread across 12,500 sq m. It boasts that it showcases "Vadnagar's 2,500-year-old history with over 5,000 artefacts, including ceramics, coins, tools and skeletal remains".While the museum has a massive framed photo of the skeleton, it does not house the actual is a historically significant region in Gujarat and excavations by the ASI have found traces of human settlements dating back to more than 2,000 years ago. Mr Ambekar says that portions of an earthen rampart believed to have been built by the region's first settlers exists even have also revealed remnants of ancient Buddhist monasteries and stupas. These findings and others – such as terracotta figurines, coins, shell jewellery and stone and copper plate inscriptions - have helped archaeologists establish seven cultural sequences or phases in the area, starting from around the 2nd Century BCE and dating all the way up to the 19th Century Ambekar says the age of the skeleton he and his team found was estimated based on a DNA analysis of its teeth and a stratigraphic study of the excavation site. Stratigraphy involves studying rock sediments or layers of earth to determine their age. This is then used to establish the chronology of historical events or the approximate age of artefacts."The DNA analysis tells us that the skeleton is of local ancestry and belongs to a man in his forties, but more studies need to be done to understand his diet and lifestyle, which will in turn give us a better understanding of the region as it existed 1,000 years ago," he says. It could also shed light on the phenomenon of "samadhi burials" - an ancient burial practice among Hindus where revered figures were buried instead of being cremated, Mr Ambekar adds that the skeleton had managed to survive the passage of time because the soil around it had remained undisturbed and displayed characteristics that prevent skeletal the skeleton from the site and moving it to its current location was not an easy task. First, a block of earth with the skeleton nestled inside was cut out from the soil surrounding it. The skeleton and soil were treated with different chemicals to consolidate their structures. The block of earth was then put into a wooden box filled with wet mud and a crane was used to move the box to its current entire operation took six days to complete, says Mr Ambekar. He hopes that the skeleton will find a place in a museum soon. But he adds it will need to have mechanisms to control the temperature and humidity of the space to prevent the skeleton from the BBC spoke to expressed similar sentiments and blamed "red tapeism" for the back-and-forth over the skeleton."We are proud of Vadnagar's ancient history but this treatment of a 1,000-year-old skeleton is deeply concerning. What is the point of building a museum if the most unique antiquity is left outside under a plastic roof?" Vadnagar resident Jesang Thakor resident, Bethaji Thakor, said that he believed the skeleton could draw tourists from around the world to Vadnagar."Where else will you get to see something like this?"
Time of India
28-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Archaeological Survey of India to Restore Damaged Mihrab Structure at Safa Masjid in Ponda
Panaji: After months of delay and neglect, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will begin repairs on the damaged mihrab structure surrounding the centuries-old water tank at Safa Masjid in Ponda. Built in 1560 by Ibrahim Ali Adil Shah, the masjid features an ornate tank lined with niche-like arches, once used as hammams. The rain submerged parts of the tank, creating ideal conditions for crabs to burrow into the structure, causing visible cavities. 'We noticed the leakages at Safa Masjid. We have also noticed the dismantling of the stones on some of its arches. We are planning to restore the same,' Abhijit Ambekar, superintending archaeologist holding additional charge in Goa, told TOI . TOI reported on Oct 14, 2024, that the ornate niche structure enveloping the tank — called the mihrab — developed cavities, drilled in by the crabs in the tank. At the time, ASI officials stressed that there was no immediate threat to the tank's stability. However, the ASI-appointed caretakers at the site voiced their concerns about the impact of vibrations caused by rumblers installed on the nearby national highway on the aquatic life of the tank. They said it was prompting crabs to dig into the structure for shelter during the day. The centuries-old tank has been a habitat for fish, turtles, and crabs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ready to feel better in your body? WAYT-less® is a weight loss tablet that could support your goals. Nu Image Medical Shop Now Undo 'At the time, the priority of the ASI was to complete the preparations for the Exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier, which was held at Old Goa from Nov 21, 2024, to Jan 5, 2025. Due to this, the upkeep of other monuments could not be prioritised. Funding was also awaited to take up work at other ASI buildings in Goa,' sources said. At the recently observed World Heritage Day on April 18, Ambekar announced a series of works that will be taken up by the ASI Goa circle this financial year.
