Semthan

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Coordinates: 33°48′21″N 75°05′51″E / 33.805833°N 75.097500°E / 33.805833; 75.097500
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Location of Sentham in J&K, India

33°48′21″N 75°05′51″E / 33.805833°N 75.097500°E / 33.805833; 75.097500 Semthan, also Semithan is a village 1 km north of

Indo-Greek and Kushan periods.[1][2]

Excavations

The site was excavated during several seasons from 1977 to 1981.[2] Upon excavation, the site revealed several occupation layers:[1]

Period 1: pre-NBPW (700-500 BCE)
Period 2: NBPW (500-200 BCE)
Period 3:

Indo-Greek
(200-0 BCE)
Period 4: Kushan Empire, Huna Kingdom (1st-5th century CE)
Period 5: Hindu (5th-13th century CE)
Period 6: Late Medieval, post 13th century

Pottery wares were found in Level 3, as well as a seal with an Indo-Greek deity, and Indo-Greek coins.[1] A large number of terracotta figurines were also found in Level 4.[1][2]

Artefacts

See also: Indo-Greek art

Semthan was at one point a Greek settlement.

Bactria are probably the ultimate source of these designs.[1][4] It is thought that the Indo-Greeks introduced their artistic styles into the area as they moved eastward from the area of Gandhara into South Kashmir.[5] The stratigraphy does not permit a precise dating of these statuettes, and the date has been broadly defined as probably pertaining to the period from the 2nd half of the 1st century BCE to the 1st or 2nd century CE, in effect covering the end of the Indo-Greek period to the early Kushan period.[6][7]

Such Hellenistic draped figurines have not been found at Taxila or Charsadda, although they are known to have been Indo-Greek cities, but probably this is mainly because excavations to Greek levels have been very limited: in Sirkap, only one eight of the excavations were made down to the Indo-Greek and early Saka levels, and only in an area far removed from the center of the ancient city, where few finds could be expected.[8]

  • Terracotta statuette in Chiton and Himation, Semthan
    Terracotta statuette in Chiton and Himation, Semthan
  • Male Hellenistic dress, Semthan
    Male Hellenistic dress, Semthan
  • Semthan, female Hellenistic dresses
    Semthan, female Hellenistic dresses
  • Figure with helmet, Semthan
    Figure with helmet, Semthan
  • Indo-Greek coin of Lysias and other coinage, Semthan
    Indo-Greek coin of Lysias and other coinage, Semthan
  • Indo-Greek coin of Lysias (130–120 BCE), Indian square standard, of the type found at Semthan
    Indo-Greek coin of Lysias (130–120 BCE), Indian square standard, of the type found at Semthan
  • Semthan, sealing with Indo-Greek deity.[2]
    Semthan, sealing with Indo-Greek deity.[2]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-90-04-24832-8
    .
  2. ^ a b c d Indian Archaeology 1980-81 A Review (PDF). Archaeological Survey of India. 1981. pp. 21–23.
  3. JSTOR 41694416
    .
  4. ISBN 978-90-04-24832-8
    .
  5. JSTOR 41928559
    .
  6. ISBN 978-90-04-24832-8
    .
  7. ISBN 978-90-04-24832-8
    .
  8. ISBN 978-90-04-24832-8
    .
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