Latest news with #ApollodotusII
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Archaeologists uncover coin moulds linked to ancient Greek king Apollodotus 2
A handful of old, clay moulds found by archaeologists during excavations at Amba Ghat in the historic town of Vadnagar in Gujarat have opened up an unlikely window into India's ancient past. What is interesting is that these moulds were used to make coins, possibly of silver, but not a single coin was found along with them. What is even more interesting though is that these moulds are connected to Apollodotus II, who belonged to the Indo-Greek dynasty which ruled parts of northwestern India more than 2,000 years ago between the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE. Apollodotus II is known for issuing bilingual coins with Greek and Kharosthi (script) inscriptions called drachmas, which had high silver content and were used in ancient trade especially along the western coast of India. The research – carried out by archaeologists Abhijit Ambekar from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI); Abhijit Dandekar from the archaeology department of Deccan College Pune; and Disha Seth from 2016 to 2023 with the findings published in 2024–2025 –raises big questions like why were the coins issued by a long dead king being made centuries later, that too in Gujarat, far away from what was once his kingdom. (HT PHOTO) Then again, the clay moulds were discovered in layers of soil that date back to around the 5th century CE which is at least 500 years after Apollodotus II's death. This has led the archaeologists to believe that the coins made using these clay moulds might have been fake coins made long after the originals were no longer available. The research – carried out by archaeologists Abhijit Ambekar from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI); Abhijit Dandekar from the archaeology department of Deccan College Pune; and Disha Seth from 2016 to 2023 with the findings published in 2024–2025 –raises big questions like why were the coins issued by a long dead king being made centuries later, that too in Gujarat, far away from what was once his kingdom. Dandekar told Hindustan Times, 'A total of 37 clay coin moulds were found during excavations at Vadnagar's Amba Ghat area. These moulds would have been used to make coins, likely made of silver. Strangely however, not a single coin was found with the moulds.' The researchers/archaeologists believe that Vadnagar might have been a local hub where these coins were reproduced, possibly to meet ongoing demand in trade markets. The moulds found show signs of reuse and some have double impressions, meaning that more than one coin could be cast at once. According to the research, the clay used in these moulds might have come from outside Vadnagar, or it may have changed due to the high heat involved in making the coins which suggests that some technical knowledge was used in this process. Dandekar said, 'The researchers believe that Vadnagar may have been a centre for coin reproduction, particularly of coins that were once popular in long-distance trade. The presence of clay moulds suggests cast coin production, which could indicate attempts to supply the market with replicas when genuine coins became rare.' Furthermore, the study reinforces Gujarat's deep-rooted connection with the ancient sea trade. Classical texts such as the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea mention Barygaza or modern-day Bharuch in Gujarat. 'Old Greek travel texts like the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea even mention Apollodotus's coins being used in Bharuch, a major port in Gujarat. A large horde of such coins was found earlier in Ghogha, a coastal village nearby,' Dandekar shared. According to the study, the persistence of Apollodotus's coins in trade long after his dynasty had faded shows how coinage, especially silver coinage, remained valuable across centuries and regions. Co-author Ambekar said, 'Even without finding the coins, these moulds tell us a lot about the trade and economy of that time. The discovery of Indo-Greek coin moulds in Vadnagar suggests that these coins were likely preferred for trade exchanges, especially due to international commercial connections from Bharuch. Their continued circulation till the 5th or 6th century CE could be one reason for their reproduction, as indicated by the coin moulds found at the site.' Co-author Seth said, 'Original coins were never made using moulds. The discovery of coin moulds in Vadnagar is significant and gives us a deeper understanding of Gujarat's history. This find adds new importance to the region, especially Vadnagar, where the shell industry was also flourishing. These coin moulds were found nearly 500 years after the original coins were in use, which gives them historical value. Originally, coins were produced using the punch-marking, die-striking and casting methods. But the moulds we discovered suggest that people in Vadnagar may have found the original coins and used them as models to create new moulds.'
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Modi's Vadnagar has 2,500-year-old global connect; Gujarat town was minting Greek coins centuries later, says study
Vadnagar, a small town in north Gujarat, continues to surprise historians and archaeologists. According to a TOI report, during a decade-long excavation from 2014 to 2024, researchers uncovered 37 terracotta coin moulds , used not for local rulers, but for Indo-Greek king Apollodotus II. What puzzled experts was the timing: the moulds dated between the 5th and 10th centuries CE, whereas the actual coins were originally minted around the 1st–2nd centuries CE. Dr Abhijit Ambekar, superintending archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), who worked on the site, explained: 'Gujarat was a key trade hub for the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. While many silver Indo-Greek coins , especially Drachmas, have been found before, it's rare to find moulds like these.' Unlike traditional die-struck coins, these moulds suggest the coins were being cast. So why were they being made centuries after the fall of the Indo-Greek kingdoms? 'One theory is that the Drachma stayed popular as trade currency, both on land and sea. Its continued demand could have led to reproductions. Bharuch, a major port of that time, was part of this network,' said Ambekar. The study was done in collaboration with Dr Abhijit Dandekar of Deccan College. The findings were among four key studies presented at the 10th World Archaeological Congress in Darwin, Australia, which ended on Saturday. The theme tying all the studies together? Vadnagar's global connections and continuous importance for over 2,500 years. Other studies explored: Live Events An elliptical structure found in Vadnagar, similar to ones in the Gangetic plains. Earthquake-resistant building techniques, like timber bonding, where wood is placed between stones to cushion seismic shock. This technique is also seen in West Asia. Urban planning, showing how the town evolved from the Kshatrapa era to British times. Adaptation to drought, where locals interlinked water bodies and even changed their diet for survival. Artefacts like Indo-Pacific beads, shell bangles, torpedo jars, and coins from multiple cultures confirm Vadnagar's role as a production hub and land port, or sthalpattan. Inputs from TOI
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Vadnagar minted Greek coins and learnt quake resistance from W Asia
Ahmedabad: During the excavation at Vadnagar, which lasted for a decade from 2014 to 2024, one of the finds that surprised the archaeologists was 37 terracotta coin moulds. These were not of local powers; instead, they were for the coins of the Indo-Greek monarch Apollodotus II. What surprised the experts was the fact that the period it corresponded to in Vadnagar's 2,500-year-long continuous history was the 5th to 10th centuries CE, whereas the coins in their original form were minted in the 1st-2nd centuries CE. Dr Abhijit Ambekar, superintending archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), who worked on the site for the decade, said that Gujarat, being an important trade hub for the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, has yielded a good number of silver Indo-Greek coins, identified as Drachma. "But it is a rare instance of finding moulds. Compared to original die-struck coins, the moulds indicate a cast method of minting. One theory of the find nearly three centuries after the demise of Apollodotus II is that Drachma remained a power currency in trade both through land and sea and remained in demand, prompting its production. Bharuch was a major port of that era," said Ambekar, adding that the production of coinage continued even after the end of the Indo-Greek kingdoms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo "The discovery establishes Vadnagar as an important hub of trade." The study was carried out with Abhijit Dandekar of Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad It was one of the four studies related to Vadnagar presented at the tenth edition of the prestigious World Archaeological Congress in Darwin, Australia, which concluded on Saturday. What connected these studies was the north Gujarat town's antiquity and its interconnectedness with other parts of India and the world. Some other presentations included the continuity of the ancient town over 2,500 years, an elliptical structure found in the town reminiscent of similar structures in the Gangetic plains, and timber bonding techniques in architecture for earthquake resistance by Dr Ambekar, Ananya Chakraborty, assistant archaeologist at ASI, and others. Experts said that the common thread that connects the papers includes how the ancient town remained relevant for over two millennia. "For example, in the case of timber bonding – a technique where timber or wood is inserted at regular intervals between stones as a cushion against quakes, is seen in some parts of West Asia," said a researcher. The ancient town has yielded artefacts such as Indo-Pacific beads and shell bangles, establishing it as a production centre, along with hordes of coins, cowries, and artefacts such as torpedo jars, underlining its place as sthalpattan or land port. The presentations also focused on the town planning of Vadnagar, its different development phases from the Kshatrapa period to the British period, and how the town overcame intense periods of drought with water body interlinking and even changing diet completely for decades.
