Speaking Archaeologically
Speaking Archaeologically is an archaeological education group, based in India. Founded by Shriya Gautamalongside colleagues Lyn Pease, Catherine Holtham-Oakley, Max Zeronian-Dalley and Molly Lockeyearin June 2015, it focuses on documentation of neglected and forgotten archaeological sites, object analysis, and rescue archaeology. History. Gautam founded Speaking Archaeologically in June 2015, after having received an email from a student of MCM DAV College, Chandigarh: "[the student] wanted to be an archaeologist and asked me to guide her. That rang a bell and I realised I don’t want more people to be led in the dark for a  profession that they want to pursue." Speaking Archaeologically started out as a Facebook Page, and featured photographs and blog posts about neglected sites and privately owned archaeologically significant objects. It then branches out into facilitating archaeological research, especially with respect to sites and objects which have not been previously documented or adequately researched about. Volunteering and public involvement. Citizen Archaeology. The group launched its first public involvement drive shortly after its foundation, aiming to engage general public to "narrate the story past has to tell us." Dubbed Citizen Archaeology, it was launched on Twitter and Facebook simultaneously, directed at both  academics as well as amateurs with an interest in history. Subsequently, the group expanded to Instagram and Pinterest with the aim of involving more photographers and popularising its own site covers as well as creating awareness. In June 2016, Citizen Archaeology evolved into a membership option for students and travel bloggers, who wished to publish their photographs with the group and host their travelogues on the group's blog. In 2017, a vlogging or video blogging option was extended to the members, with the aim of hosting it on the Speaking Archaeologically YouTube channel. Introductory seminars and workshops. In October  2015, the first Introductory Seminar to Speaking Archaeologically was held in MCM DAV College for Women, Chandigarh followed by a similar event in DAV College, Chandigarh, where the aims and objectives of the group were highlighted in front of the staff and students, so that more people could participate. A third Introductory Seminar was held in December 2015, in Army Public School at Ferozepur, Punjab, to emphasize the importance of archaeology among young students. Speaking Archaeologically also organised two workshops in 2015: one focusing on the object analysis of British Indian Coinage and Coinage of Indian Princely States., and another  on Medivial Indian miniature paintings. In January 2016, a Workshop on using Philately as a Source of Historic Information was held in Chandigarh. In March 2016, MCM DAV College for Women invited Speaking Archaeologically to host a Workshop on the Ethnoarchaeological History of Silk. These were followed by a Workshop on Medieval Indian Coinage Handling and Studying African Woodwork with respect to the Bembe tribe. Membership. In November 2015, Speaking Archaeologically first welcomed Volunteers for its Research Wing from schools and colleges across North India. These were honorary members, who were taught the basics of research techniques in archaeology, museology  and archaeological planning. In June 2016, a Member Recruitment Drive was held in Government Museum & Art Gallery, Chandigarh, where new Volunteers were recruited for Research Wing, Citizen Archaeology and a new wing for Workshop attendance. Seminars and lectures. The first Speaking Archaeologically seminar was held in the Government Museum & Art Gallery, Chandigarh, in November 2015 which dealt with Palaeolithic Archaeology and Human Evolution. An on-site lecture on Panchayatna Temples was held in Bhima Devi Temple Complex in Pinjore in February 2016, which dealt with Temple archaeology, architectural styles and site documenting and mapping. In July 2016, an object study  session was held in the Himachal State Museum, Shimla which was followed by a series of Sculpture sessions held for all Volunteers in the three states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, between December 2016 and January 2017. In October 2016, a live session was held in real time by Max Zeronian Dalley on Crusader Castles and their associated archaeology. In March 2017, Speaking Archaeologically documented sites and participated in live object analysis sessions from various archaeological places in England, especially Calleva Atrebatum in Silchester, the Old Winchester Hill, Wolvercote and Avebury Stone Circle. The Members also got to interact  with various archaeologists from Butser Ancient Farm, University of Oxford and University of Kent through real time Q&A sessions. In June 2017, the Research Wing members undertook a three-day archaeological expedition to Kasauli Hills for the purpose of observing old architectural techniques and understanding the hazards development poses on archaeological sites. Papers and publications. As of 2018, Speaking Archaeologically has been publishing eponymous journals containing papers written by research interns and members of the Research Wing as well as outside contributors, with the aim of producing high quality archaeological research at par with International Standards. Volume III of the  Speaking Archaeologically Journal is dedicated to the Bhima Devi Project, which is one of the most ambitious archaeological study undertaken by the group. Various research projects by Research Wing and the Panel of Speaking Archaeologically have been both published and presented in national and international conferences. In 2021, six students of the Research Wing, including two interns, presented their research work undertaken at Speaking Archaeologically at the Cambridge Annual Student Archaeology Conference. Three of the organisations papers: a thorough study of Monastic Architecture in Ladakh co-written by Shriya Gautam, Vedant Chandel and Rakshanda Thakur, and papers on rescue archaeology  with respect to Buddhist Stupas in India and British Indian coinage, both co-written by Gautam and Vidushi Chandel were published in Arnava Shodha Sanstha's eponymous research journal. Another research project on Dogra Jewellery was presented in a National Conference held by Science and Management Society, Himachal Pradesh in December 2016 and a third project on The Great Mythological Flood and Indian Identity: What Genetics show us about the Creation Myth was presented at an International Interdisciplinary Conference on Water Culture in India organised by Sadguru Education and Welfare Association (SEWA) Kalyan, Maharashtra in May 2017. Restoration projects. In  June 2016, an Art Revival Workshop was hosted by Speaking Archaeologically. The workshop was organised with the motive of spreading inspiration for restoration of Raja Dhaulpur House in Kandaghat, erstwhile Kohsitan of Patiala which is now the Government Degree College, Kandaghat, Solan District. The College Management Team and Speaking Archaeologically jointly held an art competition in order to form a team of mural restorers for the purpose.