On the occasion of the World Ocean Day, activities in the field of Marine Archaeology carried out by CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO), Goa, were highlighted as one of CSIR’s 80 success stories.  In this regard, a webinar on 'Underwater cultural heritage' was organised by CSIR in its campaign as a run-up to CSIR's 80 years’ celebrations Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav where NIO explained the ongoing and future activities on underwater cultural heritage.

There are numerous literary references, sculptural and archaeological evidences indicating active maritime traditions during the historical period all along the Indian coast. Therefore, a centre for marine archaeology was established in 1981 at the CSIR-NIO, which started underwater explorations at potential sites along the Indian coast.

Professor Sunil Kumar Singh, Director, CSIR-NIO, in his opening remarks briefed about the origin of the ocean and its importance to mankind.  He further mentioned about the trade contacts with Mesopotamia, Egyptians and Indus during the mid-Holocene period, cultural expansion with south-east Asian countries, Roman trade, followed by the Arabs.

He said that underwater heritage in India is a new avenue that can generate huge interest among the public and maybe the future focal point of underwater heritage tourism. Sites like Dwarka, Mahabalipuram and a few shipwrecks in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep can be potential sites for the purpose. He also said that NIO is going to have an important project in marine archaeology.

Shri Sundaresh, Head, Marine Archaeology, highlighted the importance of underwater cultural heritage and explained the methodology adopted while carrying out the underwater exploration work. He also mentioned that a degree in archaeology and knowledge of diving is required to be a marine archaeologist.

This was followed by the presentation by Dr A.S. Gaur, Principal Technical Officer,  CSIR-NIO, who elaborated on the various research work carried out by CSIR-NIO.

•    Marine archaeological researches during the last two and half decades have brought out several potential sites along the Indian coast which include ancient ports, jetties, and shipwrecks. The extensive explorations of the Saurashtra coast revealed several ancient ports and jetties. 

Interestingly, archaeological discoveries suggest that natural phenomena like tidal variations have been very effectively used in the Gulf of Kachchh and the Gulf of Khambhat in the past. Due to the change of coastline, many sites supposed to be on the coast, are now lying far hinterland suggesting the topographical changes.

Discovery of a large copper fishhook from the context of the Bronze Age (late Harappan) suggests that Bet Dwarka Island attracted early settlers because of the availability of marine resources such as fishes and variety of shells. The discovery of amphorae sherds and lead anchors from Bet Dwarka suggest that Bet Dwarka Island was the focal point of international trade and commerce during the early centuries of the Christian era.  Dwarka, Somnath, Miyani, and Visawada were important port towns during the historical and medieval period. Ghogha in the Gulf of Khambhat was an important Indo-Arab trading point on the Saurashtra coast.

•    Coastal explorations of the Maharashtra coast yielded stone anchors at Dabhol, Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg, indicating these were active port towns during the medieval period. Interestingly, Dabhol has a temple dedicated to the anchor. Stone anchors continued to be found in Goa, Kerala, Lakshadweep and on the Tamil Nadu coast in the context of the historical and medieval periods.

•    Mahabalipuram, the famous centre of Pallava art and architecture, is situated about 55 km south of Chennai on the Tamil Nadu coast.  The local traditions and the foreign accounts vividly refer to the submergence of six temples out of seven that existed here. Underwater archaeological explorations in the area have revealed many structural remains including fallen walls, scattered dressed stone blocks, a few steps leading to a platform and many other structural remains. 

The structures were badly damaged and scattered owing to strong underwater currents and swells. Due to thick biological growth, engravings on the stone blocks, if any, could not be noticed. Based on their alignment and form, they are considered to be man-made in origin. Based on the archaeological evidences on land, the earliest possible date of these structures is estimated to be around 1500 years BP. The major cause of the submergence of these structures may be due to severe coastal erosion prevailing in the region. Though archival records suggest a large number of shipwrecks, not many have been found. The reason may be the large quantity of sediment discharge on both east and west coast of India which will cover shipwrecks beneath the seabed and being in the tropical region, the poor preservation of wood in the marine environment. However, a few shipwrecks have been explored and detailed work is in progress. Three shipwrecks have been found from Goa waters and two of them do not have any wood remains. However, heavy metal artefacts like cannon, granite blocks and pottery were recovered from these wrecks. Shipwreck in Lakshadweep and Poompuhar are well preserved and a detailed study is awaited.

In the concluding remarks, Mr Sundaresh urged the audience to support and protect underwater cultural heritage in identifying the objects/antiquities and reaching out to the appropriate authorities or CSIR-NIO for preservation and display.