Research Area 3

A first step in the work program of research area 3 is the continued collection of contextual material. The objects will be organized and analyzed in a database for internal use. For this purpose, the relevant museum and excavation publications as well as databases will be systematically searched for objects that are carriers of the Proto-Śāradā script (year 1). This is particularly important since the provenance of the archive represented by JZC is (and will perhaps remain) unknown. The more we can say about the material context of written objects from this time and period, the more we will be able to at least determine the probable environment in which these documents and letters can be placed.

If possible, the field research stays (year 1, end of year 2) will be used to collect new, unpublished objects. The extensive numismatic research that has been done concerning the time and region in question will be consulted for chronological and/or stylistic classification. The material collected in this way forms the starting point for investigations into the use and function of the Proto-Śāradā script.

The provenance of many inscriptions and manuscripts is unknown, which leads to a lack of decisive information, especially regarding their use. Where a find context is known, the available information must be evaluated as far as possible and used for the manuscripts of the JZC. This is the case regarding the aforementioned manuscripts from Gilgit, for which the archeological context is well researched. A further possible archeological context is probably provided by the newly discovered Proto-Śāradā manuscripts from the Punjab area in Pakistan. The field trips to Pakistan will serve to gain more information about the actual find-spots of these manuscripts and their specific archaeological correlation. In this regard we will closely collaborate with the Department of Archaeology of the Punjab University where a part of these manuscripts is presently kept.