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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
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ancient Indian skeleton gets a museum home six years after excavation
A 1,000 year-old human skeleton which was buried sitting cross-legged in India has been moved to a museum six years after it was excavated. The BBC had reported earlier this month that the skeleton had been left inside an unprotected tarpaulin shelter close to the excavation site in western Gujarat state since 2019 because of bureaucratic wrangling. On Thursday, the skeleton was shifted to a local museum, just a few miles away from where it was unearthed. Authorities say that it will be placed on display for the public after administrative procedures are completed. Mahendra Surela, curator of the Archaeological Experiential Museum in Vadnagar where the skeleton has now been shifted, told the BBC that the skeleton was transported with "utmost care" and under the supervision of several experts. He added that officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) - the agency responsible for preservation of archaeological research - will examine the skeleton before taking a decision on where and how the skeleton should be displayed in the museum. It is currently placed next to the reception and is fenced in by a protective barrier. "It is likely that we may shift it to the second floor, where a photograph of the skeleton is already placed," Mr Surela said. Archaeologist Abhijit Ambekar, who discovered the skeleton, said that he was happy that the significant find was getting the attention it deserved. Ambekar had earlier told the BBC that the skeleton was a rare discovery as similar remains had been found at only three other sites in India. But as officials argued over who should take charge of the skeleton, it remained in a make-shift tent close to the excavation site, unprotected by security guards and exposed to natural elements. Experts say that the skeleton likely belongs to the Solanki period. The Solanki dynasty, also known as the Chaulukya dynasty, ruled over parts of modern-day Gujarat between 940 to 1300 CE. The skeleton had managed to survive the passage of time because the soil around it had remained undisturbed and displayed characteristics that aided preservation. Mr Ambekar said that the remains could shed light on the phenomenon of "samadhi burials" - an ancient burial practice among Hindus where revered figures were buried rather than cremated.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Gujarat: Ancient Indian skeleton gets a museum home six years after excavation
A 1,000 year-old human skeleton which was buried sitting cross-legged in India has been moved to a museum six years after it was BBC had reported earlier this month that the skeleton had been left inside an unprotected tarpaulin shelter close to the excavation site in western Gujarat state since 2019 because of bureaucratic Thursday, the skeleton was shifted to a local museum, just a few miles away from where it was say that it will be placed on display for the public after administrative procedures are completed. Mahendra Surela, curator of the Archaeological Experiential Museum in Vadnagar where the skeleton has now been shifted, told the BBC that the skeleton was transported with "utmost care" and under the supervision of several added that officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) - the agency responsible for preservation of archaeological research - will examine the skeleton before taking a decision on where and how the skeleton should be displayed in the museum. It is currently placed next to the reception and is fenced in by a protective barrier."It is likely that we may shift it to the second floor, where a photograph of the skeleton is already placed," Mr Surela Abhijit Ambekar, who discovered the skeleton, said that he was happy that the significant find was getting the attention it had earlier told the BBC that the skeleton was a rare discovery as similar remains had been found at only three other sites in India. But as officials argued over who should take charge of the skeleton, it remained in a make-shift tent close to the excavation site, unprotected by security guards and exposed to natural say that the skeleton likely belongs to the Solanki period. The Solanki dynasty, also known as the Chaulukya dynasty, ruled over parts of modern-day Gujarat between 940 to 1300 skeleton had managed to survive the passage of time because the soil around it had remained undisturbed and displayed characteristics that aided Ambekar said that the remains could shed light on the phenomenon of "samadhi burials" - an ancient burial practice among Hindus where revered figures were buried rather than cremated.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Left for dead again: Ancient Indian skeleton still waiting for permanent address
A 1,000 year-old human skeleton buried sitting cross-legged in India is still without a museum to house it because of bureaucratic wrangling, six years after it was unearthed. Archaeologist Abhijit Ambekar made the significant discovery in 2019, when he spotted what looked like the top of a human skull in western Gujarat state. As his team dug deeper, they found the well-preserved remains in a pit in what appeared to be a meditative posture. Similar remains have been found at only three other sites in India. But officials are still arguing over who should take charge of the skeleton. It remains in a makeshift shelter – not far from a new museum of local archaeology. Abhijit Ambekar says the skeleton - found in the town of Vadnagar - is likely to belong to the Solanki period. The Solanki dynasty, also known as the Chaulukya dynasty, ruled over parts of modern-day Gujarat between 940 to 1300 CE. The skeleton's right arm rested on its lap and its left arm lay suspended in the air, as if resting on a stick. "The skeleton is an extremely valuable find, not just for Vadnagar but for the whole country. It can help us understand how our ancestors lived, and reveal details about the past that are yet unknown," says Dr Ambekar, who heads the Archaeology Survey of India (ASI) division in Mumbai, and led the team that found the skeleton. That it is yet to find a proper resting place, despite its archaeological significance, appears to come down to red tape. Mr Ambekar says the Gujarat government's plan for all artefacts excavated from Vadnagar was to place them in local museums. He says around 9,000 artefacts, including the skeleton, that were excavated from Vadnagar between 2016 and 2022 by the ASI and had been handed over to the Gujarat government have been placed in local museums - except for the skeleton. However, the state government says the skeleton is still in the possession of the ASI. "As proper process was not followed, it [the skeleton] was not placed in the museum," Pankaj Sharma, director of the state's Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, told the BBC. Yadubir Singh Rawat, director general of the ASI, did not respond to the BBC's questions on the matter. M Thennarasan, principal secretary of the state's Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department told the BBC, that authorities were working on shifting the skeleton to a museum as soon as possible. Excavating the skeleton was a time-consuming process, Mr Ambekar says, adding that it took two months to complete. Various tools were used to carefully brush the soil away and free the skeleton from its ancient grave. It is currently housed in a tarpaulin shelter in Vadnagar, unprotected by security guards and exposed to natural elements. Locals sometimes bring relatives and friends to see the skeleton - a curiosity that has put a spotlight on the town, which is also the birthplace of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What's interesting is that just a short distance away is the new Archaeological Experiential Museum - inaugurated by India's home minister in January. According to a government press release, the museum has been built at a cost of $35m and is spread across 12,500 sq m. It boasts that it showcases "Vadnagar's 2,500-year-old history with over 5,000 artefacts, including ceramics, coins, tools and skeletal remains". While the museum has a massive framed photo of the skeleton, it does not house the actual remains. Vadnagar is a historically significant region in Gujarat and excavations by the ASI have found traces of human settlements dating back to more than 2,000 years ago. Mr Ambekar says that portions of an earthen rampart believed to have been built by the region's first settlers exists even today. Digs have also revealed remnants of ancient Buddhist monasteries and stupas. These findings and others – such as terracotta figurines, coins, shell jewellery and stone and copper plate inscriptions - have helped archaeologists establish seven cultural sequences or phases in the area, starting from around the 2nd Century BCE and dating all the way up to the 19th Century CE. Mr Ambekar says the age of the skeleton he and his team found was estimated based on a DNA analysis of its teeth and a stratigraphic study of the excavation site. Stratigraphy involves studying rock sediments or layers of earth to determine their age. This is then used to establish the chronology of historical events or the approximate age of artefacts. "The DNA analysis tells us that the skeleton is of local ancestry and belongs to a man in his forties, but more studies need to be done to understand his diet and lifestyle, which will in turn give us a better understanding of the region as it existed 1,000 years ago," he says. It could also shed light on the phenomenon of "samadhi burials" - an ancient burial practice among Hindus where revered figures were buried instead of being cremated, Mr Ambekar says. He adds that the skeleton had managed to survive the passage of time because the soil around it had remained undisturbed and displayed characteristics that prevent skeletal decay. Extricating the skeleton from the site and moving it to its current location was not an easy task. First, a block of earth with the skeleton nestled inside was cut out from the soil surrounding it. The skeleton and soil were treated with different chemicals to consolidate their structures. The block of earth was then put into a wooden box filled with wet mud and a crane was used to move the box to its current site. The entire operation took six days to complete, says Mr Ambekar. He hopes that the skeleton will find a place in a museum soon. But he adds it will need to have mechanisms to control the temperature and humidity of the space to prevent the skeleton from decomposing. Locals the BBC spoke to expressed similar sentiments and blamed "red tapeism" for the back-and-forth over the skeleton. "We are proud of Vadnagar's ancient history but this treatment of a 1,000-year-old skeleton is deeply concerning. What is the point of building a museum if the most unique antiquity is left outside under a plastic roof?" Vadnagar resident Jesang Thakor said. Another resident, Bethaji Thakor, said that he believed the skeleton could draw tourists from around the world to Vadnagar. "Where else will you get to see something like this?"
