NTA UGC NET/JRF Exam JUNE-2025 ARCHAEOLOGY

The U.S. President who conducted the excavation of a mound in the Virginia Province of the U.S.A. was Thomas Jefferson. Often called the "Father
of American Archaeology," Jefferson carried out one of the first scientific excavations in 1784, examining a Native American burial mound
on his Virginia estate. He used stratigraphic observation to understand the construction and sequence of burials - a method well ahead of his time.

The statement "There is nothing that we know of in pre-historic Egypt or Mesopotamia or anywhere else in Western Asia to compare with
the well-built baths and commodious houses of the citizens of Mohenjo-daro" was made by Sir John Marshall. As the Director-General of the
Archaeological Survey of India, Marshall led the early excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro and praised the exceptional urban planning and sanitation of the Indus Valley Civilization.

During the Rajasuya Sacrifice, a grand Vedic ritual affirming the king's sovereignty, a metallic piece known as the Satamana was attached to the wheels of the royal chariot. The term Satamana literally means “a hundred units," and it represented a standard of value or a gold piece mentioned in the Satapatha Brahmana. After the ritual, these pieces were ceremonially given to the priests as a token of honor and reward.

Among the Gupta rulers, Vishnugupta issued gold coins with the lowest percentage of gold. By his reign, the Gupta Empire was in decline, leading
to a marked reduction in the purity and weight of gold coinage compared to earlier emperors like Samudragupta and Chandragupta II.

In Odishan temple architecture, the uppermost part of the temple is known as the Kharpuri (also called Amalaka or Kalasha in other traditions). It
sits above the main spire (Shikhara) and serves as the crowning element symbolizing completeness and divinity

The cave at Barabar Hill near Gaya that shows the humble beginning of gate ornamentation, later developed into the elaborate façades of Buddhist
Chaitya halls, is the Lomas Rishi Cave. The cave's entrance is decorated with a carved arch resembling a wooden structure, considered the earliest example of Indian rock-cut architectural ornamentation. This stylistic feature later evolved into the chaitya arch (chandrashala) seen in Ajanta and Karle caves.

The Indian deities Shiva, Uma, and Kartikeya were depicted on the gold coins of Huvishka, a Kushana ruler. Huvishka's coinage shows remarkable syncretism, featuring deities from various pantheons including Indian, Iranian, and Greek. The representation of the Hindu divine family highlights the integration of Indian religious iconography into Kushana art.

Cave No. 1 of Elephanta closely resembles Cave No. 29 at Ellora in its architectural plan and iconographic program. Both caves are grand Shaivite monuments featuring a central shrine dedicated to Shiva and exquisite sculptures, including the famous Maheshmurti (Trimurti) panel in Elephanta and similar depictions at Ellora, reflecting shared stylistic and religious
influences of the early medieval period.

There are 9 caves at Bagh, located in Madhya Pradesh. These Buddhist rock-cut caves, dating from the late 5th to 7th centuries CE, are known for their impressive murals and architecture similar to Ajanta. The paintings
at Bagh depict Jataka tales and other Buddhist themes, showcasing the rich artistic tradition of the Gupta period.

The Harappan site of Kot Diji was discovered by F.A. Khan. Situated in Sindh, Pakistan, Kot Diji represents the Early Harappan (Pre-Harappan) phase, preceding the Mature Indus Civilization. Excavations revealed fortifications, pottery, and early evidence of urban planning that bridge the cultural transition to the classical Harappan period.