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Article
Methods and Problems in the Site Census Approach: A View form Mewar through Archaeology and Ethnohistory
Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology (2015)
  • Namita Sugandhi
  • Teresa Raczek, Kennesaw State University
  • Prabodh Shirvalkar
  • Charles K. Brummeler
  • Lalit Pandey
Abstract
The practice of conducting a regional census has some similarities but many differences from systematic archaeological survey. Both attempt to study "sites" or material traces of human activities in the past, but the idea of an archaeological "census" utilizes a more informal approach to visiting sites that have been previously documented by earlier researchers. Archaeological census has the goal of assessing site destruction, degradation, and various issues associated with heritage management. The method can provide valuable data about the current status of sites and serve as an expedient tool for future research planning as well as in the development of community and cultural resource management strategies. In this paper, we present census details from a multi-year project conducted in the Mewar Plain of Rajasthan, outlining our methods and the various conditions that shaped our approach and results, emphasizing in particular the role of ethnohistory.
Keywords
  • Archaeological Census,
  • Archaeological Survey,
  • Oral History,
  • Rajasthan Archaeology,
  • Mewar,
  • Ahar-Banas,
  • Gilund
Publication Date
2015
Citation Information
Namita Sugandhi, Teresa Raczek, Prabodh Shirvalkar, Charles K. Brummeler, et al.. "Methods and Problems in the Site Census Approach: A View form Mewar through Archaeology and Ethnohistory" Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology Vol. 3 (2015) p. 163 - 179
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/teresa-raczek/2/