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The data obtained through mummy research provide researchers with abundant archaeological and medical information of pre-industrialized Korean people. Over the years, autopsy becomes a research tool rarely conducted in mummy studies, which has been increasingly replaced by non-invasive radiological technique. In this report, a novel three dimensional (3D) segmentation and model reconstruction has been conducted on the heart and liver CT images acquired from Gangneung mummy of Joseon period in Korea. By successful estimation of the mummy’s preservation and pathological status by exclusively calling the data of specific target organs, our report could reveal how efficiently 3D reconstruction grasps spatial interrelationship between multiple mummified structures.

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Keywords: Computed Tomography, Segmentation, Three-dimensional reconstruction, Heart, Liver, Korea, Joseon Dynasty

The hilly district of Kodagu (Coorg) in Karnataka has more than forty megalithic burial clusters, occuring mostly in the eastern parts of the district adjoining the Mysore plateau. Of these, the sites of Moribetta and Morikallu are prominent not only because of the location of burials on rocky hillocks but also due to certain peculiar features like semi-arch shaped menhirs and slabs with anthropomorphic features associated with the dolmen/dolmenoid cists burials at Moribetta. Such features are rare in the context of the megaliths of Karnataka. This paper highlights the salient and common features of the burial architecture documented at these sites.

Keywords: Kodagu (Coorg), Moribetta, Morikallu, dolmen, dolmenoid cist, menhir, anthropomorphic slabs

The power of the Gond rulers in Central India, like all the kingdoms, was evident in architectural activities. The Gond rulers shifted their capital multiple times, and each time, they constructed magnificent forts and temples that mark their presence. The Vishnu temple at Ramnagar, located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, is one such royal temple constructed by the Gonds and is an essential landmark for understanding their architectural style.
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The Gond king Hridayeshvara was the one to establish Ramnagar (22.6115° N, 80.5084° E) as the capital of the Gonds in 1667 CE and constructed a fort here. The fort houses an inscription commemorating the construction of the Vi??u temple by Sundari Devi, the queen of King Hridayeshvara. It was Sundari Devi only who got the aforementioned inscription inscribed, which is written in Devanagari script, with the language being Sanskrit. The Ramnagar stone inscription is the only archaeological source having the confirmed dates for the architectural activities of the Gond rulers.

The proposed research paper argues that the architecture of the temple and the style of the inscription, when studied in the more extensive spectrum of the history of Gonds, points toward the possibility that the Vi??u temple at Ramnagar augmented the socio-political status of the queen Sundari devi. Moreover, the Ramnagar inscription played a twin role in uplifting Sundari Devi, along with the temple she constructed to the highest alcove in the political hierarchy.

Keywords: Narmada, Gonds, Inscription, Temple architecture, Iconography, Socio-Political

The village of Makhel in the northeastern state of Manipur, India, is considered as the place of origin or a transit point during the migration of a few Naga communities. Colonial records, stone monuments, and oral stories collectively support the origin and migration narrative. However, a more systematic investigation of the archaeological remains has yet to be done in this area. In this paper, I present the results of an archaeological survey conducted in Makhel and surrounding areas, covering an area of approximately 36 km². The survey documented 313 stone monuments, comprising menhirs, fallen menhirs, slab graves, rectangle stone platforms, sacred stones, and a destroyed site. Mapping has revealed that they are concentrated in the habitation areas and the forest, particularly areas on the hilltop that are readily accessible, such as roadsides and footpaths. A detailed analysis of monuments shows the variability in size, indicating differential labour involvement during construction and choices of building monuments. The survey also revealed structural similarities of monuments in Makhel and other areas/villages in the Naga Hills, which will be useful for researchers engaging in the archaeological remains.

Keywords: Archaeological survey, Mao Nagas, Megaliths, Makhel, Manipur, Oral history

 The ethnic people living in the Assam-Meghalaya border region have a long-standing tradition of erecting megaliths in honour of their deceased ancestors. The study area is home to a heterogeneous population of tribal and non-tribal communities, such as the Bodo, Khasi, Tiwa, Karbi tribes, Bengali and a few Assamese caste populations. In the border region, there are quite a few megalithic sites where this tradition is still continued. The present study was conducted to examine the structural, functional, and socio-religious features of the megaliths recorded from the area in light of the ethno-archaeological potential of the megalithic tradition in this area. The researcher also tries to outline the structural and cultural changes that have been reported within this practice currently. Ethnographic methods of observation, interview, case study, genealogical method are applied to collect data. The study reveals that megalithic practice is deeply rooted in the socio-religious life of the followers. It stands as an emblem of clan solidarity, territorial marker, foundation indicator and holds the entire community to one whole. Changes also an inevitable aspect in this traditional age old practice due to the impact of urbanisation and industrialisation, but yet the continuity from ancient time till today is significant, which can be looked from aspects like ethnic identity and assertion, respect to their ancestral tradition and impact of environment etc. The current study also demonstrates the consistency and fusion of the megalithic typology, which is believed to have been a component of a huge geo-cultural region that stretched from Southeast Asia via Northeast India up to Eastern India.

Keywords: Tradition, Continuity, Changes, Clan Solidarity, Morphology, Symbolic