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Cited by 7Global Maritime and Colonial HistoriesMaritime and Coastal ArchaeologyArchaeology and Historical Studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 114 of the 114 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 2 of the 91 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Recent Developments in the Archaeology of Long-Distance Connections Across the Ancient Indian Ocean

Open access
Abraham, Shinu Anna·2023·Annual Review of Anthropology
DOI 10.1146/annurev-anthro-101819-110124
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Abstract

Scholarship on the ancient Indian Ocean, which stretches deep into the previous century, is available from an array of academic disciplines including but not limited to history, archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics, art history, and materials science. It spans from prehistory to the present era and includes evidence ranging from the Mediterranean to East Asia. What binds together the world of Indian Ocean research is an enduring interest in the complex maritime-based links crosscutting this space and—for archaeologists—the movements of cultural elements (objects, ideas, people, etc.) that have left behind some material trace. Recent field projects and materials science studies have greatly expanded this material database, refining (and sometimes challenging) traditional interpretations about Indian Ocean maritime relations. This review presents a streamlined perspective, focusing on recent archaeological contributions about long-distance interregional connections across the Indian Ocean from 500 bce to 1000 ce.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review synthesizes recent archaeological and archaeometric research on long-distance maritime connections across the ancient Indian Ocean from roughly 500 BCE to 1000 CE, organized by four chronological periods and four overlapping regions centered on South Asia. It argues that new field projects and materials-science studies have expanded and sometimes overturned traditional interpretations, while anthropological theory remains largely absent from the synthesis of this material.

Key findings

  • Long-distance maritime links predate Indo-Roman trade: stratified data from Tissamaharama push Rouletted Ware (and Wheeler Types 10 and 18, grouped as Fine Gray Pottery) back to the third–second centuries BCE, supported by Rouletted Ware and Wheeler Type 18 in the earliest layers at Khor Rori (Oman) prior to the first century BCE.
  • At Berenike (Egypt), finds include a large Indian ceramic jar filled with 7.5 kg of south Indian pepper, a second-century CE 2-foot-tall Buddha statue (the first ever west of Afghanistan), two more second-century CE Satavahana coins, and a third-century CE Sanskrit inscription, alongside evidence for a settled South Asian population.
  • Pattanam (south India) has amphora sherds surpassing even Arikamedu in quantity and the largest known Indian Ocean archaeological glass bead corpus; Khao Sam Kaeo (Thailand) yielded Indian pulses (horse gram, mung), possibly South Asian cotton, and Brahmi inscriptions dated to the third–first centuries BCE.
  • South Indian/Sri Lankan Indo-Pacific glass beads circulated from the third century BCE to the tenth century CE, reaching western Europe (fifth–sixth-century CE Merovingian burials) and East Asia; Zhizo glass beads dominate the southern African assemblage until the tenth century CE and are found at more than 25 sites in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa.

Methods

  • Narrative literature review and synthesis of archaeological, archaeometric, epigraphic, numismatic, and materials-science scholarship; no new primary data are presented.
  • Scope is deliberately delimited to sites (primarily ports, transshipment points, settlements, and mortuary sites) with archaeologically visible nonlocal materials, emphasizing long-distance interregional rather than intraregional connections.
  • Organized across four chronological periods from roughly 500 BCE to 1000 CE and four overlapping regions: the South Asian subcontinent, the eastern Indian Ocean, the western Indian Ocean, and the southern Indian Ocean.

Limitations

  • The paper states that the South Asian material corpus "tends to be uneven across the subcontinent and not always systematically published," that South Asia's early medieval period is "archaeologically murky," and that southern Indian Ocean material evidence is sparse in the earlier phases.
  • The author states that the review is deliberately delimited, foregrounding fresh contributions on material connectivities and minimizing historiography, and focusing on long-distance rather than subregional links.
  • The paper itself notes a "cleavage" between gains in data and methodology and the scholarship that theorizes early Indian Ocean maritime relations, observing that anthropological theories are often engaged through "the uncritical adoption of outdated concepts and models" — a limitation of the field the review identifies rather than of the review's own method.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1146/annurev-anthro-101819-110124

Cites

114 of 114 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

2 of 91 cited sources checked · 2 supported · 0 flagged

  • Premisecitation

    Botanical and faunal translocations via maritime activity suggest that movements across the Indian Ocean occurred as early as the second millennium BCE.

    “New data for long-distance exchange come from promising studies that trace botanical and faunal translocations via maritime activity, suggesting that movements across the Indian Ocean occurred as early as the second millennium bce (Fuller & Boivin 2009, Fuller et al. 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Fuller & Boivin 2009

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Fuller et al. 2011 source
  • Findingcitation

    Elemental analyses of glass beads from Kish in post-Sasanian contexts show them to be made of several South Asian glass subtypes.

    “Initially it seemed that South Asian beads traveled mostly to and through Red Sea ports, but now elemental analyses of glass beads from Kish (Iraq) in post-Sasanian contexts show them to be made of several South Asian glass subtypes (Dussubieux 2021a).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dussubieux 2021a

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Findingcitation

    In the eastern Indian Ocean, the main data for interregional links come from a series of Southeast Asian shipwrecks, other than the reestablished harbor at Sembiran and Gulf ceramics at various Southeast Asian sites.

    “In the eastern Indian Ocean, other than the reestablished harbor at Sembiran in the eighth to ninth centuries ce (Calo et al. 2022) and the presence of eighth-to tenth-century ce Gulf ceramics at various Southeast Asian sites, the main data for interregional links come from a series of Southeast Asian shipwrecks.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Calo et al. 2022

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Findingcitation

    South India/Sri Lankan glass Indo-Pacific beads are found in substantial numbers at Unguja Ukuu.

    “Most interesting are the south India/Sri Lankan glass Indo-Pacific beads found in substantial numbers at Unguja Ukuu (Wood et al. 2017).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wood et al. 2017

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Findingcitation

    The port of Siraf increases in importance by the eighth century CE with the establishment of the Abbasid Caliphate.

    “The port of Siraf (Iran) increases in importance by the eighth century ce with the establishment of the Abbasid Caliphate (Priestman 2013).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Priestman 2013
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 37
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 3
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Roman ceramics and coins are the key artifact categories in South Asia, but other finds include glassware, imitation Roman coins, sculptures, lamps, jewelry, and various small portable objects.

    “Roman ceramics (Tomber 2007) and coins (Darley 2014, Suresh 2004, Turner 1989) are the key artifact categories in South Asia, but other finds include glassware, imitation Roman coins, sculptures, lamps, jewelry, and various small portable objects (Tomber 2013).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Tomber 2007 source
    • cites Darley 2014
    • cites Suresh 2004

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given

    Zhizo glass beads dominate the southern African bead assemblage until the tenth century CE and are found at more than 25 sites in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa.

    “Zhizo glass beads dominate the southern African bead assemblage until the tenth century ce and are found at more than 25 sites in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    The oldest shipwreck is the eighth-century CE Phanom Surin wreck in Thailand, which carried aromatic wood, ivory tusk, deer antlers, Chinese stoneware, Gulf turquoise glazed ware, and Gulf torpedo jars.

    “The oldest is the eighth-century ce Phanom Surin wreck in Thailand (Horton et al. 2020), which carried aromatic wood, ivory tusk, deer antlers, Chinese stoneware, Gulf turquoise glazed ware, and Gulf torpedo jars (one with an inscribed personal name).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Horton et al. 2020

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    Evidence for activity at the port Suhar is more secure; Suhar now rivals Siraf as a major trading center with close maritime links to western Indian ports.

    “Evidence for activity at the port Suhar (Oman) is more secure; Suhar now rivals Siraf as a major trading center with close maritime links to western Indian ports (Kennet 2004).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kennet 2004

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    By the mid-eighth century CE, East Asian ceramics are clearly visible, and the increase in both their range and quantity marks a dramatic change in western Indian Ocean ceramic assemblages.

    “By the mid-eighth century ce, East Asian ceramics are clearly visible, and the increase in both their range and quantity marks a dramatic change in western Indian Ocean ceramic assemblages (Priestman 2013).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Priestman 2013

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    South Indian/Sri Lankan glass beads traveled further westward and appear as jewelry or textile decoration in fifth-to sixth-century CE elite Merovingian burials in western Europe.

    “South Indian/Sri Lankan glass beads traveled further westward and appear as jewelry or textile decoration in fifth-to sixth-century ce elite Merovingian burials in western Europe (Pion & Gratuze 2016).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Pion & Gratuze 2016 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    The Indonesian Belitung shipwreck was also a sewn-plank boat in the Gulf tradition and included one timber native to Africa.

    “Approximately a half-century later, the Indonesian Belitung shipwreck, carrying mostly Chinese ceramics, was also a sewn-plank boat in the Gulf tradition; the vessel included one timber native to Africa (Flecker 2001, Horton et al. 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Flecker 2001 source
    • cites Horton et al. 2020

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    The post-969 CE Cirebon wreck was built in local Southeast Asian style and carried Middle Eastern glass, unworked lapis from Afghanistan, and rock crystal possibly from the Middle East, South Asia, or Madagascar.

    “The post-969 ce Cirebon wreck (Indonesia) was built in local Southeast Asian style and, along with Chinese wares, carried Middle Eastern glass; unworked lapis from Afghanistan; and rock crystal, possibly from the Middle East, South Asia, or Madagascar in East Africa (Liebner 2014).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Liebner 2014

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given

    The next bead type to appear archaeologically is the Zhizo series, which is known in East Africa but arrived in southern Africa in the eighth century CE.

    “The next bead type to appear archaeologically is the Zhizo series, which is known in East Africa but arrived in southern Africa in the eighth century ce.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    Unguja Ukuu has a range of imported material such as Chinese stoneware, Egyptian glass, Gulf glass, and stone and glass beads; most nonlocal items are from the Gulf and South Asia.

    “Unguja Ukuu has a range of imported material such as Chinese stoneware, Egyptian glass, Gulf glass, and stone and glass beads ( Juma 2004); most nonlocal items are from the Gulf and South Asia.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Juma 2004

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    The coastal site Chibuene has the earliest bead type for southern Africa, the Chibuene series, a type of glass that likely arrived in the seventh century CE.

    “The coastal site Chibuene has the earliest bead type for southern Africa, the Chibuene series, a type of glass that likely arrived in the seventh century ce (Wood 2016).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wood 2016 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    Fukuchani lacks Chinese wares but does include north Indian imports and Gulf torpedo jars.

    “Fukuchani lacks Chinese wares but does include north Indian imports and Gulf torpedo jars (Horton et al. 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Horton et al. 2020

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Interpretationcitation

    A carnelian bead in the form of a lion from Ban Don Ta Phet may reflect very early Buddhist influence in the region.

    “and another a carnelian bead in the form of a lion, perhaps a reflection of very early Buddhist influence in the region (Glover 1996).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Glover 1996

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Khao Sam Kaeo has Indian pulses including horse gram and mung from late-to mid-centuries BCE contexts, and possibly South Asian cotton.

    “The site also has Indian pulses, including horse gram and mung from late-to mid-centuries bce contexts, and possibly even South Asian cotton (Castillo et al. 2016).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Castillo et al. 2016 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisenone given

    The fourth-century BCE mortuary site Ban Don Ta Phet includes stone and glass beads and ornately decorated bronzes with Indian parallels.

    “The well-known fourth-century bce mortuary site Ban Don Ta Phet (Thailand), among the richest for this period in Southeast Asia, includes stone and glass beads and ornately decorated bronzes with Indian parallels.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Korea has glass beads from this period as well as carnelian and agate beads drilled with a special technique originally developed in South Asia.

    “Korea also has glass beads from this period (Lankton & Dussubieux 2006) as well as carnelian and agate beads drilled with a special technique originally developed in South Asia (Glover & Kenoyer 2019).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Lankton & Dussubieux 2006

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Glover & Kenoyer 2019 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Phu Khao Thong, like Khlong Thom (Thailand), may have been making glass; both sites have a glass type found elsewhere in Southeast Asia that is compositionally distinct from South Asian glasses.

    “Phu Khao Thong, like Khlong Thom (Thailand), may have been making glass; both sites have a glass type found elsewhere in Southeast Asia that is compositionally distinct from South Asian glasses (Dussubieux 2021b).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dussubieux 2021b

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Terracotta spindle whorls from Tha Kae (Thailand) have traces of iron spindles and an unusual doorknob-shaped whorl very similar to samples from Kodumanal in south India.

    “Recent evidence includes terracotta spindle whorls from Tha Kae (Thailand), with traces of iron spindles and an unusual doorknob-shaped whorl very similar to samples from Kodumanal in south India (Cameron 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cameron 2011 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationnone given

    Chibuene glass comes from Iran/Iraq and may have traveled to southern Africa from Gulf port sites.

    “Chibuene glass comes from Iran/Iraq and may have traveled to southern Africa from Gulf port sites.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationcitation

    At first, Roman artifacts likely arrived in Southeast Asia indirectly via South Asia, but later material may represent direct contact with Roman traders.

    “At first, Roman artifacts likely arrived indirectly via South Asia, but later material may represent direct contact with Roman traders (Borell et al. 2014).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Borell et al. 2014

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Mediterranean objects in Southeast Asia include Roman glass, Roman and Roman-like intaglios, gold pendants imitating Roman coins, and the first known Roman gold coin found in Southeast Asia.

    “Mediterranean objects include Roman glass (Lankton & Gratuze 2018), Roman and Roman-like intaglios, gold pendants imitating Roman coins, and the first known Roman gold coin found in Southeast Asia (Borell 2018).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Lankton & Gratuze 2018

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Borell 2018

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationcitation

    This finding supports the recent redating of Rouletted Ware and the existence of long-distance maritime links between South and Southeast Asia as early as the late centuries BCE.

    “This finding supports the recent redating of Rouletted Ware and the existence of long-distance maritime links between South and Southeast Asia as early as the late centuries bce (Schenk 2014).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Schenk 2014

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    At Phu Khao Thong (Thailand), contact with South Asia comes in the form of Indian Rouletted Ware, a sherd with a second-century CE Tamil-Brahmi inscription, and a single sesame seed.

    “At Phu Khao Thong (Thailand), contact with South Asia comes in the form of Indian Rouletted Ware, a sherd with a second-century ce Tamil-Brahmi inscription (the earliest to date in Southeast Asia), and even a single sesame seed (Bellina et al. 2014, Castillo et al. 2016).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Bellina et al. 2014

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Castillo et al. 2016 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationcitation

    Glass distributions at Aw Gyi (Myanmar) and Phu Khao Thong (Thailand) are similar to those at Arikamedu (south India) directly across the Bay of Bengal, suggesting a network linking these three sites.

    “Glass distributions at Aw Gyi (Myanmar) and Phu Khao Thong (Thailand) are similar to those at Arikamedu (south India) directly across the Bay of Bengal, suggesting a network linking these three sites (Dussubieux 2021b, Dussubieux & Pryce 2016).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Dussubieux 2021b

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Dussubieux & Pryce 2016

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Key Funan sites Angkor Borei (Cambodia) and Oc Eo (Vietnam) have agate and carnelian beads that suggest links with western India and garnet beads that are compositionally similar to south Indian garnet.

    “They include the key Funan sites Angkor Borei (Cambodia) and Oc Eo (Vietnam), which also have agate and carnelian beads that suggest links with western India and garnet beads that are compositionally similar to south Indian garnet (Carter et al. 2021).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Carter et al. 2021

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Mantai (Sri Lanka) is another potential production site, as are several sites in southeast India.

    “Mantai (Sri Lanka) is another potential production site (Francis 2013), as are several sites in southeast India.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Francis 2013

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisereasoning

    The production source(s) of Rouletted Ware is still uncertain, although it was likely north India.

    “The production source(s) is still uncertain, although it was likely north India.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Premisecitation

    Maliwan's glass assemblage differs from those at Aw Gyi and Phu Khao Thong, which is curious given its proximity to Aw Gyi.

    “They differ, however, from Maliwan's glass assemblage, which is curious given its proximity to Aw Gyi (Dussubieux et al. 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dussubieux et al. 2020 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    South Indian/Sri Lankan glass beads appear all around the Indian Ocean and beyond, extending to burial sites in western Europe and possibly in East Asia, in contexts ranging from the third century BCE to the tenth century CE.

    “These south Indian/Sri Lankan glass beads appear all around the Indian Ocean and beyond, extending to burial sites in western Europe and possibly in East Asia, in contexts ranging from the third century bce to the tenth century ce (Dussubieux 2021b).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dussubieux 2021b

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Stratified data from Tissamaharama push Rouletted Ware, and Wheeler Types 10 and 18 grouped as Fine Gray Pottery, back to the third to second centuries BCE, thus predating Indo-Roman trade.

    “Stratified data from Tissamaharama push Rouletted Ware (and Wheeler Types 10 and 18, all grouped as Fine Gray Pottery) back to the third to second centuries bce, thus predating Indo-Roman trade (Pavan & Schenk 2012).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Pavan & Schenk 2012 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    The Godavaya shipwreck in Sri Lanka carried a cargo of Black and Red Ware, quern stones, blue glass ingots, and copper objects, all suggesting a south Indian origin.

    “The remarkable Godavaya shipwreck in Sri Lanka carried a cargo of Black and Red Ware, quern stones (one with a third-to second-century bce Prakrit-Brahmi inscription), blue glass ingots (whose composition closely matches that of south Indian/Sri Lankan glass), and copper objects, all suggesting a south Indian origin (Chandraratne et al. 2012, Muthucumarana et al. 2014).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Chandraratne et al. 2012

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Muthucumarana et al. 2014 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisenone given

    In the eastern Indian Ocean, true statelike polities have yet to appear in Southeast Asia, with the exception of the Funan kingdom in the early centuries CE, but contacts between South Asian and Southeast Asian communities are more visible archaeologically.

    “In the eastern Indian Ocean, true statelike polities have yet to appear in Southeast Asia (with the exception of the Funan kingdom in the early centuries ce), but contacts between South Asian and Southeast Asian communities are more visible archaeologically.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    The most common Roman ceramics in South Asia are Dressel 2-4 amphorae, with the highest quantities found at Pattanam and Arikamedu.

    “The most common Roman ceramics are storage vessels used to carry wine, known as Dressel 2-4 amphorae (Tomber 2017), with the highest quantities found at Pattanam and Arikamedu.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Tomber 2017

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Less common but present at both Pattanam and Arikamedu are Roman amphora types used to carry garum and olive oil, as well as small amounts of terra sigillata.

    “Less common but still present at both sites are Roman amphora types used to carry garum (a Roman fish paste) and olive oil, as well as small amounts of terra sigillata, a Roman fine tableware (Tomber 2017).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Tomber 2017

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisenone given

    Most Roman coins in South Asia are Julio-Claudian and thus early Roman in date.

    “Most Roman coins are Julio-Claudian and, thus, early Roman in date.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    There is a cleavage between gains in data and methodology and the scholarship that theorizes early Indian Ocean maritime relations.

    “Yet, while it is clear that gains in data and methodology are revolutionizing Indian Ocean studies, one still senses a cleavage between these gains and the scholarship that theorizes early Indian Ocean maritime relations.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationnone given

    Botanical evidence in Africa for rice, banana, yam, and taro tie Africa to Southeast Asia and underscore that region's linguistic and cultural impact on Austronesian-speaking Malagasy peoples.

    “Botanical evidence in Africa for rice, banana, yam, and taro tie Africa to Southeast Asia and underscore that region's linguistic and cultural impact on Austronesian-speaking Malagasy peoples.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationcitation

    Recent excavations in the Comoros and Madagascar are revealing nonlocal items like Chinese and Persian ceramics, Islamic glassware, and Fatimid coins, all likely resulting from the export of highly valued Malagasy rock crystal.

    “Recent excavations in the Comoros and Madagascar are revealing nonlocal items like Chinese and Persian ceramics, Islamic glassware, and Fatimid coins, all likely resulting from the export of highly valued Malagasy rock crystal (Pradines 2019).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Pradines 2019 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Interpretationnone given

    A rich contemporary anthropological toolkit that includes materiality studies, object itineraries, affordance theories, collective action theory, and even basic cross-regional comparisons has yet to be employed to understand maritime relationships across the Indian Ocean.

    “A rich contemporary anthropological toolkit that includes materiality studies, object itineraries, affordance theories, collective action theory, and even basic cross-regional comparisons has yet to be employed to understand maritime relationships across the Indian Ocean.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationcitation

    Cowries found at sites in west and southern Africa may originate from the Maldive Islands in South Asia; correlations in timing and appearance suggest that certain cowries may have traveled along the same networks as certain glass beads.

    “Cowries found at sites in west and southern Africa may originate from the Maldive Islands in South Asia (Moffett et al. 2022); correlations in timing and appearance suggest that certain cowries may have traveled along the same networks as certain glass beads.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Moffett et al. 2022

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

40 of 40

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Material exchanges across the Indian Ocean, mostly via coast-hugging travel, date back at least 7,000 years.

    “Material exchanges across the Indian Ocean, mostly via coast-hugging travel, date back at least 7,000 years.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Historical records indicate that, in the first century CE, ports on the southern Arabian coast were obtaining goods from an East African trading center called Rhapta.

    “Historical records indicate that, in the first century ce, ports on the southern Arabian coast were obtaining goods from an East African trading center called Rhapta.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The Ptolemaic/Roman harnessing of monsoon winds by the second to first century BCE and the launch of direct transoceanic routes across the Arabian Sea caused the intensification of evidence in the western Indian Ocean in this phase.

    “thanks in large part to the Ptolemaic/Roman harnessing of monsoon winds by the second to first century bce and the launch of direct transoceanic routes across the Arabian Sea.”
3 of 3

Citations

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

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Metadata

Authors
Abraham, S. A.
Affiliations
St. Lawrence University (US)
Corresponding author
Abraham, Shinu Anna
Venue
Annual Review of Anthropology
Publisher
Annual Reviews
Published
2023-10-23
Volume
52
Issue
1
Pages
115-135
ISSN
  • 0084-6570 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-4290
DOI
10.1146/annurev-anthro-101819-110124
OpenAlex
W4383198277
Semantic Scholar
36f529ae988d68c6e94c50a70a14b3200e532032
Cited by
7
References
113
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1
FWCI
7.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
Annual Review of Anthropology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History › Global Maritime and Colonial Histories
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology (arts and humanities) › Maritime and Coastal Archaeology
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology (arts and humanities) › Archaeology and Historical Studies
Keywords
long-distance connections, maritime trade, interregional exchange, cultural transmission, material culture, prehistory, early antiquity

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