Syllabus: Paper II > 6.1 Tribal situation in India > Definition of tribe; indigenous peoples debate
Ethno-archaeology — 2017 Paper II
Question · 2017 · Paper II · 10 Marks
Ethno-archaeology.
Model Answer
VAID ICSApproach
- Demand of Question:Define ethno-archaeology as a method of archaeological inference and show what it observes, how analogy is built, and why direct one-to-one projection from present to past is unsafe.
- Structuring the Response:Define; trace Fewkes/Gould-Binford-Kramer; explain material-behaviour links and Indian applications; close with methodological caution.
- Key Dimensions to Cover:Ethnographic analogy, middle-range inference, formation/discard patterns, settlement and subsistence, craft production, living hunter-gatherers/pastoralists/potters, present-is-not-past limitation.
Model Answer
Introduction Ethno-archaeology is a research strategy where archaeologists study the material culture and behavior of living societies to build testable analogies for interpreting past archaeological remains. Pioneered globally by Lewis Binford through his "Middle-Range Theory," it bridges the gap between static artifacts and dynamic human behavior.
Body
(Draw a flowchart: Living Society Observation -> Identify Material Correlates of Behavior -> Formulate Analogies -> Interpret Archaeological Record)
Indian Applications and Case Studies: Given India's rich continuity of indigenous cultures, it serves as a prime laboratory for ethno-archaeological studies:
- Settlement & Subsistence: V.N. Misra and Malti Nagar studied contemporary Bhil tribes in Mewar to understand the hunting-gathering and architectural patterns of the Mesolithic site of Bhimbetka.
- Burial Practices: H.D. Sankalia used the burial customs of modern tribes in Maharashtra to interpret the twin-urn infant burials found at the Chalcolithic site of Inamgaon.
- Craft Specialization: Studies on modern bead-makers in Khambhat (Gujarat) by J.M. Kenoyer helped decode Harappan bead-manufacturing techniques.
- Pastoralism: K. Paddayya studied modern Dhangar pastoralists to interpret the Neolithic ash-mounds of the Deccan.
Conclusion
While ethno-archaeology is a powerful tool, its major danger is the "tyranny of analogy". Contemporary communities have their own histories and have adapted to modern markets and states. Therefore, sound ethno-archaeology uses the present to generate hypotheses, not to assume a direct one-to-one equivalence between present practice and prehistoric life.
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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2017 — Paper II
28 questionsSyllabus: Paper II > 9.2 Role of anthropology in tribal and rural development > Livelihood
8(b) Discuss the relevance of art and craft traditions in the understanding of Indian archaeology.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.3 Ethno-archaeology in India > Arts and crafts producing communities
1(b) Austro-asiatic linguistic groups in India.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Linguistic elements > Austro-Asiatic family
4(a) Explain how Buddhism influenced the economic and cultural transformations of Indian society.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.4 Impact of Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity on Indian society > Buddhism
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Neolithic-Chalcolithic > Deccan
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.1 Indian Village > Significance of village study in India
6(a) Describe the impact of displacement on the health and nutritional status of tribal communities.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.3 Developmental projects and their impact on tribal displacement > Health and nutrition
5(b) Ethnicity and regionalism.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.3 The concept of ethnicity > Regionalism and demand for autonomy
1(d) Ethno-archaeology.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.3 Ethno-archaeology in India > The concept of ethno-archaeology
Syllabus: Paper II > 2. Demographic profile of India > Factors influencing population structure and growth
5(e) Impact of Christianity on Indian tribes.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 8.1 Impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other religions on tribal societies > Christianity
5(a) Indebtedness among tribal communities.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 6.2 Problems of the tribal communities > Indebtedness
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.2 Caste system in India > Jajmani system
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Media and social change
1(e) Nature-man-spirit complex.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.3 Sacred Complex and Nature-Man-Spirit Complex
1(a) Neolithic cultures of South India.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Neolithic > South India
Syllabus: Paper II > 4. Emergence, growth and development of anthropology in India > Contributions of Indian anthropologists
5(c) Other Backward Class.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 7.1 Problems of exploitation and deprivation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes
7(b) Discuss the impact of Panchayati Raj institution on the empowerment of rural women in India.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.3 Indigenous and exogenous processes of socio-cultural change > Panchayati Raj and social change
5(d) Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (earlier known as PTG).
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 The concept of PTGs / PVTGs > Distribution and special programmes
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.2 Palaeo-anthropological evidences from India > Siwaliks > Ramapithecus
Syllabus: Paper II > 5.2 Linguistic and religious minorities and their social, political and economic status
Syllabus: Paper II > 1.1 Evolution of Indian Culture and Civilization > Indus (Harappan) Civilization
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 Tribal policies, plans and programmes of tribal development > Five-Year Plans
Syllabus: Paper II > 9.1 Tribal policies, plans and programmes of tribal development > Tribal Sub-Plan
1(c) Varnashram and the concept of Rina.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper II > 3.1 Structure and nature of traditional Indian social system > Varnashram, Purushartha, Karma, Rina and Rebirth