Wat is de oorsprong van de vaak zo klassiek ogende Gandharakunst uit het oude India? Dit artikel biedt een historisch overzicht, benoemt recente archeologische onderzoeksresultaten, en beschouwt... Show moreWat is de oorsprong van de vaak zo klassiek ogende Gandharakunst uit het oude India? Dit artikel biedt een historisch overzicht, benoemt recente archeologische onderzoeksresultaten, en beschouwt tot slot de implicaties voor het erfgoed- en museumbeleid aangaande deze sculpturen. Show less
This paper presents the initial report of our “Karakorum Rescue Project 2020-21” in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. The petroglyphs of the Karakorum Mountains are very important as it was... Show moreThis paper presents the initial report of our “Karakorum Rescue Project 2020-21” in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. The petroglyphs of the Karakorum Mountains are very important as it was crucial crossroads throughout ancient times and different routes were used by a wide diversity of merchants, travellers, caravans and pilgrims for thousands of years. These rock art sites in the region are in danger due to the construction of dam, destruction and vandalism of especially the Buddhist rock art continue to threaten the existence of these historical petroglyphs, including many that have as yet never been documented before. For the preservation and documentation of this heritage, we initiated this project with the support of the Prince Claus Heritage Emergency Grant and the Aliph Alliance. This helps us to outline the academic and fieldwork strategies we used and how we combined a (non-invasive) archaeological photographical rescue campaign with an active and inclusive outreach to the local communities of the research region. Show less
This chapter presents the first results and interpretations of a selected dataset of rock carvings from the Karakorum mountains. The research is focused on early Buddhist carvings and their spread... Show moreThis chapter presents the first results and interpretations of a selected dataset of rock carvings from the Karakorum mountains. The research is focused on early Buddhist carvings and their spread and role within networks of the early Silk Roads in Central Asia from the 2nd–1st century BCE. The rock carvings and their archaeological context are studied to gain insight into routes from Gandhara through the Karakorum range. The first part presents the general aims and relevance. The second and third parts describe the analysis and interpretation of the Karakorum dataset, followed by the main points of discussion and conclusions to incite future investigations. Show less
This study explores a new perspective on the archaeological record of Taxila in the Gandhara region through object-focused analyses and considering wider historical implications, in order to... Show moreThis study explores a new perspective on the archaeological record of Taxila in the Gandhara region through object-focused analyses and considering wider historical implications, in order to better understand cultural interaction in ancient Central Asia. The city of Taxila was a nodal point between ‘East’ and ‘West’, well-known for its so-called Greco-Buddhist artefacts. These objects have been traditionally categorised according to ethnic and/or cultural criteria, which has led to incorrect interpretations of the archaeological record that still prevail today. This article presents a new analysis of the data to investigate how different cultural elements interacted in Taxila. Show less
An introductory paper on new research into cultural interactions between the ancient East and West as evident from the archaeology of the Gandhara region, with focus on Buddhist material culture... Show moreAn introductory paper on new research into cultural interactions between the ancient East and West as evident from the archaeology of the Gandhara region, with focus on Buddhist material culture and its development and spread. Part of a (popular-academic) booklet published for Leiden University's "Dies Natalis" on aspects of globalisation, including (ancient) migrations, linguistic and ethnic diversity, the spread of faiths, and trade routes. With contributions by various Leiden-based academics on new research projects and results. Show less
As part of the VIDI 'Cultural innovation in a globalising society: Egypt in the Roman world', this research explores manifestations of Egypt in the material culture of Augustan Rome. This period... Show moreAs part of the VIDI 'Cultural innovation in a globalising society: Egypt in the Roman world', this research explores manifestations of Egypt in the material culture of Augustan Rome. This period was a crucial turning point for the urban landscape of Rome, which was characterised by cultural diversity. Previous studies focus primarily on Greek influences on the development of Augustan material culture, while Egypt remains neglected or simply categorised as exoticism or Egyptomania. This research, in contrast, set out to investigate whether or not __Egypt__ constituted an integral part of Augustan material culture during this period. By comprising for the first time a comprehensive and interpretative overview of manifestations of Egypt in Augustan Rome __including public monuments, paintings, and architectural elements as well as pottery, gems, and jewellery from private contexts__ a wide variety of case studies could be conducted, among which object reappraisals as well as new finds and contextual analyses were featured. By focusing on the archaeological data, this study demonstrates that Egypt was not an exotic Outsider in Rome, but constituted a remarkably diverse part of Roman material culture and the Augustan urban landscape, and was integrally part of the inherently flexible Augustan material culture repertoire. Show less
This article presents a case study from the archaeological record of the city of Taxila (current Pakistan) in order to examine cultural interactions between the ancient Mediterranean and Indus... Show moreThis article presents a case study from the archaeological record of the city of Taxila (current Pakistan) in order to examine cultural interactions between the ancient Mediterranean and Indus Valley as evident from the Gandhara region. Taxila was a cultural crossroad between East and West and is especially famous for its Greco-Buddhist artefacts. These objects have traditionally been categorised in ethnic and/or cultural terms, which has led to incorrect interpretations of the archaeological record and its historical implications. For this reason, this study works towards a more comprehensive insight into the available archaeological data by means of new object analyses with the aim to contribute to a better understanding of how cultural diversity developed in the ancient world on a global scale through processes of cultural contact and interaction. Show less
Research on the visual language of Augustan Rome is mainly focused on Greek influences, but Egypt likewise played an important role in Augustus' propaganda programme and subsequently in the... Show moreResearch on the visual language of Augustan Rome is mainly focused on Greek influences, but Egypt likewise played an important role in Augustus' propaganda programme and subsequently in the development of material culture in both the public and private spheres of the city of Rome. Roman cameo glass constitutes an interesting and so far underexplored example of this process. By examining two case studies of cameo glass with Egyptian decorative elements from the collection of The British Museum, this paper explores how Egyptian elements were incorporated in and became an integral part of the material culture of Augustan Rome. The first case study looks at one specific cameo glass fragment; here Egypt is evoked through the fusion of Egyptian stylistic and thematic elements with Greek stylistic components and Roman materials, and seems intended to convey a certain concept of Egypt that could be recognised as such within its Roman context. The second case study explores how the arrival of an obelisk from Egypt in Rome initiated the proliferation of different visual concepts of that Egyptian monument throughout the material culture of Augustan Rome, varying from actual copies of the monolith to its portrayal as part of the Circus Maximus on gemstones and cameo glass vessels of Roman manufacture. Show less
