Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Indian Ocean trade connections: characterization and commercial routes of torpedo jars
Lischi, S.; Odelli, E.; Perumal, J.L.; Lucejko, J.J.; Ribechini, E.; Lippi, M.M.; Selvaraj, T.; Colombini, M.P.; Raneri, S. (2020). Indian Ocean trade connections: characterization and commercial routes of torpedo jars. Heritage Science 8(1): 76. https://hdl.handle.net/10.1186/s40494-020-00425-9
In: Heritage Science. BIOMED CENTRAL LTD: London. e-ISSN 2050-7445, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Indian Ocean routes; Torpedo jars; Multi-analytical techniques; GC; MS; XRD; Bitumen

Authors  Top 
  • Lischi, S.
  • Odelli, E., more
  • Perumal, J.L.
  • Lucejko, J.J.
  • Ribechini, E.
  • Lippi, M.M.
  • Selvaraj, T.
  • Colombini, M.P.
  • Raneri, S.

Abstract
    During the Classical Period (300 BC–400 AD), the Indian Ocean emerged as one of the largest hubs of ancient international trade. For a long period, these contacts were described from a Rome-centric point of view, looking at the connections between Rome and India. However, recent studies have demonstrated that the Roman-Indo connection was only one of the vast medium and short distance trade routes involving numerous regions and populations, exchanging goods and culture. Current archaeological investigations have demonstrated that several minor trade dynamics formed the primary connective tissue of the Indian Ocean. This study attempts to trace these mid-range connections by focusing on the transport of torpedo jars, recently found in several settlements throughout the Indian Ocean. Two archaeological sites were considered: Al Hamr al-Sharqiya 1 (Inqitat, southern Oman), and the port of Alagankulam (southern India). An analytical protocol based on thin sections analysis, SEM–EDS, XRD and GC/MS was applied to a selection of fragments from the two archaeological sites. The analytical investigation carried out on these vessels identified three different ceramic compositions, which distributed differently in the two sites, characterized by a black coating due to a similar bitumen source. The location of the production sites and comparative studies between these vessels and reference materials available in the literature enabled us to cast new light on the routes followed by the torpedo jars, from Mesopotamia to India and Oman.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors