South asian archaeology and art. 2018 Papers presented at the 24th International Conference of the European Association for South Asian Archaeology and Art (Monumental Complex of S. Domenico Maggiore, Naples, Italy 2-6 July)

This volume contains only a part of the papers read at the 24th International Conference of the European Association for South Asian Archaeology and Art, which took place in Naples from 2nd to 6th July 2018. On that occasion, I was extremely glad to have the opportunity to welcome all the participants on behalf of ISMEO - The International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies, conveying greetings from the entire membership of ISMEO, currently numbering 400 scholars, among whom more than 170 eminent foreign correspondent associates, ideally representing more than 100 universities, research centres and academic, scientific, and museum institutions from throughout the world.[---] As far as the 24th Conference of the European Association for South Asian Archaeology and Art is concerned, I would first and foremost like to congratulate the chief organiser of this Conference, and President of the Association, Professor Anna Filigenzi, Vice-President of ISMEO for many years, for the excellent work carried out, which no doubt required considerable patience-as I can testify, having intervened personally in many big or small difficulties that she has had to deal with-difficulties that were also overcome thanks to the staff of L'Orientale University and ISMEO, whom we should also thank, as on that occasion too they worked with their customary dedication and kindness. The joint organisation of this 24th Conference is, in a tangible way, evidence of how closely ISMEO and L'Orientale are in terms of joint scientific activities, national and international, since 2017-as Rector Tottoli knows, because he was instrumental in drafting the relevant directives-also within the framework of the multiannual Project on Asian and African studies sponsored by the Italian Ministry of University and Research. This scientific alliance and the relevant sponsorship by the Italian Ministry of Education have proved to be instrumental in the revitalisation of the monographic collection "Serie Orientale Roma" and of the scientific periodicals East and West and Africa, in the recovery of the historic Library of IsIAO (now hosted at the Central National Library, Rome), and in the several archaeological missions which, during the many vicissitudes IsMEO and IsIAO have gone through, have never experienced any break in continuity, thanks to L'Orientale, the generous sponsorship by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the personal efforts of our archaeologists. The ISMEO-L'Orientale Mission in Afghanistan, directed by Anna Filigenzi, and ISMEO-Ca' Foscari Mission in Pakistan (Swat), directed by Luca Olivieri, have demonstrated this, and both missions have been awarded several citations and honours by the Afghan, Pakistani and Italian governments by virtue of their symbolic role in extremely sensitive international scenarios. Mentioning Tucci's IsMEO and Gnoli's IsIAO, their relevant scientific heritage, and the constant scientific alliance between that institution and L'Orientale University since IsMEO foundation in 1933, next to the names of Giuseppe Tucci and Gherardo Gnoli, there is another name that we must remember with particular gratitude and affection: the name of Professor Maurizio Taddei, who was, for Anna Filigenzi-together with other authoritative IsMEO archaeologists, starting with Domenico Faccenna-a master and guide. From 1964 to 1974 Taddei held the post of officer-archaeologist in the Monuments and Fine Arts Service at the Museo Nazionale d'Arte Orientale in Rome, in the Indian arts section. This was a very formative experience for him, and for this reason he always felt a close bond with the Museum. This experience will be remembered in detail on the occasion of the International Conference in memory of Prof. Taddei, which will take place between Rome and Naples on 26-28 February 2026, to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of his death. From 1968/69 he taught at L'Orientale, first as ...