Keynote Lecture by Dr. Mark Kenoyer

J. Mark Kenoyer
Director, Center for South Asia
Professor, Department of Anthropology
University of Wisconsin - Madison

This illustrated lecture will highlight the major archaeological discoveries ranging in time from + 2 million years ago to the Early Historical period around 300 BC. Previous interpretive models of culture change will be presented along with recent critiques and new interpretations. Some of the questions to be addressed will include the origins of modern humans in South Asia, the origins and transformation of the Indus Valley Civilization, the critique of Indo-Aryan invasion models, and the linkages between the Indus, Vedic and Early Historical cultures of northern South Asia. The relevance of these major paradigm shifts and their impact on current approaches to teaching South Asian history and culture will be discussed.

"Archaeology of South Asia and its Modern Relevance" Keynote Lecture by Dr. J. Mark Kenoyer
Friday, February 11, 2005 International House Auditorium Free and open to the public
J. Mark Kenoyer Director, Center for South Asia Professor, Department of Anthropology University of Wisconsin - Madison This illustrated lecture will highlight the major archaeological discoveries ranging in time from + 2 million years ago to the Early Historical period around 300 BC. Previous interpretive models of culture change will be presented along with recent critiques and new interpretations. Some of the questions to be addressed will include the origins of modern humans in South Asia, the origins and transformation of the Indus Valley Civilization, the critique of Indo-Aryan invasion models, and the linkages between the Indus, Vedic and Early Historical cultures of northern South Asia. The relevance of these major paradigm shifts and their impact on current approaches to teaching South Asian history and culture will be discussed.
Photo: J. Mark Kenoyer excavating and sampling the sediments associated with the HARP-excavated platform, which was partly robbed of baked bricks during the Harappan period itself (Trench 43). Pottery found under the platforms permits them to be assigned to Harappa Period 3C, probably toward the middle of that period (ca. 2100-2000 BC).