Stone anchors along the coast of Chilika Lake: New light on the maritime activities of Orissa, India (original) (raw)
Current Science, 2021
Numerous stone and iron anchors of various shapes and sizes have been brought to light during the maritime archaeological explorations along the Indian littoral. And anchors are proxies to maritime archaeological studies. The recent maritime archaeological studies along the Manikapatna Coast of Chilika Lake, Odisha, India, discovered one broken Indo-Arabian stone anchor. The archaeological excavation findings suggest that Manikapatna served as a port from the early historical period up to the 18th century CE. Besides the Indo-Arabian stone anchor, composite, kel-lick, one-armed anchor with stone stock and single hole stone anchors were previously documented along the Odisha coast. None of the anchors were accompanied by associated findings, nor from any strata, and therefore, these anchors differ in their period and usage. Nonetheless, some of the stone anchors are still used by the fisherfolk of Odisha in their traditional crafts. The finding of the Indo-Arabian stone anchor of Manikapatna has a great significance in the maritime history of Odisha. This paper discusses the Indo-Arabian stone anchor found at Manikapatna coast, its importance in the maritime history of Odisha and in comparison with other Indo-Arabian types of stone anchors of the Indian subcontinent.
Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, 2022
Beypore is an important maritime centre in the history of Kerala as well as Indian Ocean. It was active centre of navigation and shipbuilding from the medieval period. At Beypore several types of boats are built even today. The authors identified a stone anchor of Indo-Arabian type near Beypore. The anchor matches with the description of Varthema. This paper discusses the importance of the anchor and the nature of the boat that used the stone anchor.
An Indo-Arabian Type of Stone Anchor from Kannur, Kerala, West coast of
2015
The study of stone anchors can provide information on the size, date and provenance of the ships that carried them, as they were provided by the boat- or ship-builder. In general terms the size of the ship can be correlated with the anchor, but finds of stone anchors from various sites both in India and abroad suggest that ships carried a number of anchors of various sizes. This may have been related to the type of journey, or expected weather conditions. In storms or other unfavourable conditions sailors looked for a sheltered place to anchor. The types of anchors depend on the nature of the seabed. Generally, anchors are found in harbour sites, dockyards, shipwreck sites, and sheltered places along trade routes. Many examples have been found on rocky sea beds and in shallow waters in Indian coastal waters (Gaur et al., 2001; Sundaresh et al., 1999 and Sila Tripati et al., 2003). Over the years exploration and chance finds have yielded 59 triangular anchors, 109 Indo-Arabian and 60...
Ancient anchorage systems in India with reference to the Gujarat coast
2011
Abstract: The Indian coast, with a long history of maritime activities, has been dotted with several ancient ports. The evidence for this exists in port-related structures on the shore and in relics lying in the sea adjacent. Marine archaeological explorations have revealed the existence of jetties at Porbandar and Sultanpur and offshore anchoring points at Miyani, Visawada and Somnath, Kodinar and Ghogha on the Gujarat coast. The preferred anchoring points fall in a water depth of 5–7 m.
Recently Discovered Iron Anchors from Tamil Nadu, East Coast of India
Ancient Asia, 2020
In maritime archaeological studies, anchors made of stone, wood, or metal have played a significant role in shipping, not only acted as a proxy during the period of their use but also suggesting maritime connections with other countries. Anchors of different types have discovered all over the world which used in the vessels engaged in carrying cargo, passengers as well as warships. Iron anchors were introduced in India by the European rulers, and later on, were manufactured in different parts of India. Like the stone anchors, different types of iron anchors have been recorded during onshore explorations as well as underwater sites with and without shipwreck remain along the Indian coast. In recent past, coastal explorations along Tamil Nadu coast brought to light two iron anchors at Tuticorin harbour while other two anchors displayed at the Government Museum, Egmore, Chennai. Both the iron anchors of Tuticorin harbour belong to Trotman type. In contrast, the iron anchors of the Government Museum, Egmore, belong to Old plan Long shanked Anchor (Admiralty Long Shanked) and Admiralty pattern anchor. This paper details a comprehensive study of these iron anchors and a comparative survey of the iron anchors of Tamil Nadu as well as India.