International seminar on ‘recent archaeological pursuits in burial traditions of South Asia and South East Asia’

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 26, 2024

The Directorate of Archaeology, Assam, under the umbrella of Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture Department, organized an international seminar on “Recent Archaeological Pursuits in Burial Traditions of South Asia and South East Asia” at a resort in Sonapur, near Guwahati on Saturday. 

The seminar was inaugurated by the lighting of lanterns followed by a welcome speech delivered by Ranjan Sharma, commissioner & secretary, Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture Department. 

The main objective of organizing this international seminar, according to him was to discuss the diversity of burial practices and funerary rituals, next to investigate the cultural, social and religious significance of burial traditions, in addition to these we needed to analyze the impact of external influences on burial practices in these regions, furthermore, we needed to explore the role of archaeology in understanding the evolution of burial traditions in South Asia and South East Asia and finally to identify gaps in current research and propose future directions for the study of burial traditions in this region.

Speaking as the chief guest, Director General of Archaeological Survey of India, YS Rawat said burial traditions have played a crucial role in the cultural and social fabric of societies in South Asia and South East Asia for thousands of years. 

“By exploring recent pursuits in this field, as researchers we can gain a deeper understanding of the diversity and complexity of the burial practices in South Asia and South East Asia,” he said.

The Keynote address was delivered by Prof JN Phukan, Padmashree awardee, guest of honour was Janhwij Sharma, additional Director General (Conservation, World Heritage, NCF) of Archaeological Survey of India and distinguished guest was Dr Anura Manatunga, Professor University of Kelaniya, Lanka and Dr SK Manjul, additional Director General, (Archaeology, Institute of Archaeology, & Iconic Site), Archaeological Survey of India. 

The seminar was attended by Dr KC Nauriyal, Cultural Expert, Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture Department along with delegates and scholars from Thailand, Lanka and different parts of India. 

The seminar was also attended by Nandita Garlosa, Minister of Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture.

Additionally, an online session was also organized where scholars from Afghanistan, Czech Republic presented their research works. This seminar ensured deliberations among various scholars from different parts of the world and proved to be fruitful in wider understanding of different types of burial traditions present across the world and their subsequent co-relation with Moidams – the Mound-Burial system of the Ahom Dynasty, Charaideo, Assam.