Afifa Khan, Mou Sarmah, Vaneshree Vidyarthi, Rebecca Roberts, and Cameron Petrie discuss the complex relationship between cultural heritage and social media in South Asia. They demonstrate the opportunities and challenges that social media presents for heritage preservation.

The map is also decorated with lively imagery of gods, cherubs, and a trade caravel. These engravings might reveal something about Europe’s priorities during the age of sail and global trade. The cherubs rifling through jewels, precious metals and ivory are telling. (4/4)

For instance, Lake Chiamay in the northeast appears on maps from the 16th to 18th century, but never actually existed. (3/4)

It features the land, settlements, rivers, and trade routes of the subcontinent and parts of Central Asia. But I wouldn’t rely on it to get you to your destination. Cartographic errors have rendered India rather skinny, and you might find some locations tricky to find. (2/4)

Research resulting from the collaborative TwoRains project demonstrated that most animals remained local, but there are some examples of cattle and pigs being moved very long distances. The nature of the exchange system that was in operation is still debated. (5/5)

Known across the Islamic world and Silk Road, the caravanserai model could help us understand the archaeology and mechanisms of ancient mobility and exchange. Rural pit stops in the Harappan world would indicate a level of economic administration and management, but this is one hypothesis. (4/5)

Geographically, the site is found at a river confluence, providing a reliable source of water and natural junction in the landscape. Its location between coastal Gujarat and the Indus heartland would make Kotada Bhadli an ideal rural stopover. (3/5)

The site of Kotada Bhadli (~2000 BCE) is small, fortified, and at a peripheral location. The excavators have argued that the presence of imported trade goods but absence of on-site production indicates the consumption and transit you’d expect to find at a place for rest and resupply. (2/5)

The village is known for its temples within the walls, which are counted among the Abhimana Kshethram, which hold particular significance for the Vaishnavite tradition – centred around the god Vishnu. You can also find one of Hinduism’s sacred lakes, collectively known as the Panch Sarovar.

Now these lamps are certainly not telling us that the Bronze Age Harappans were celebrating any festival we recognise today. But they reveal the long history of clay lamps which have often been used for ritualistic purposes, seen today in the diyas of Diwali. (5/5)

This example features cups on either side of the headdress where soot or black pigment was found – so it may have been used as a special sort of lamp. (4/5)

Our second image is one of Harappa’s many clay figurines. It’s tricky to parse the purpose or social significance of these artefacts, and their value (symbolic and economic) may have been derived as much from their skilled manufacturing process as the finished product. (3/5)

In our first image we have a clay oil lamp (right) and a possible incense burner (left) found in Mounds A-B & F at Harappa, Pakistan. These examples are probably later than the Harappan Phase (c.2600-1900 BCE) but attest to Bronze Age lighting practices for domestic and ritual purposes. (2/5)

Engaging in meaningful, international collaboration is central to our mission at MAHSA, and we were grateful to make connections in Islamabad. Thanks to the National Heritage and Culture Division, Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with the Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO. (3/3)

The workshop convened to discuss Pakistan’s ratification of the convention, and MAHSA’s Dr Rebecca Roberts & Afifa Khan had the opportunity to share our work in the digital heritage space with federal, provincial, and academic stakeholders. (2/3)

Coins can tell archaeologists about much more than the local economy. Such as Demetrius (and his cool elephant hat) letting us know where he is and who is in charge. The regional interactions evidenced by these coins also remind us not to segment archaeological cultures into neat boxes. (6/6)

The reverse translates this description into Kharosthi script, an Indic language used in Gandharan Pakistan. We get a sense of the cultural exchange occurring in the Indo-Greek world from a single coin. (5/6)