The Archaeology of Buddhism in the Maldives : Excavation of a Buddhist Monastery at Kaashidhoo.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mikkelsen, Egil

Series:

Brill's Indological library

Brill's Indological Library ; v.63

Language:

English

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (411 p.).

Place of Publication:

Boston : BRILL, 2025.

Summary:

Before the 12th century the Maldives was a Buddhist society with stone-built monasteries. Excavations of one on Kaashidhoo reveals the importance of cowrie shells for the islands' prosperity and offers a fresh model for the Maldives' conversion to Islam.

Contents:

Front Cover

Half-Title Page

Series Title Page

Title Page

Copyright Page

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Figures

Tables

Abbreviations

Chapter 1. Introduction to the Maldives

Chapter 2. Early Written Sources on the Maldives

1. The First Settlers

2. Some Early Written Accounts on the Maldives

3. The Pre-Islamic Maldive Society and the Outside World, Based on Written Sources

4. The Spread of Buddhism

Chapter 3. Maldive Archaeology

1. Excavations Carried Out by Maldivians

2. The Thor Heyerdahl Expeditions, 1983-1984

3. Mirani Litster, 2016

4. Shiura Jaufar, 2016-2017

5. Excavations at Kinolhas, North Maalhosmadulu (Raa) Atoll, 2017

6. Maldives Heritage Surveys

Chapter 4. Archaeological Excavations at Kaashidhoo, 1996-1998

1. Introduction to Kaashidhoo

2. Excavation and Documentation Methods

3. The Excavations of the Ruin Area

4. The Cemetery: Graves and Buddhist Funerary Practice

5. Building Stages

6. Buddhist Monasteries: A Comparative Study between the Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka

7. Architecture: Interpretations of the Structures at the Monastery at Kaashidhoo

8. Artefacts: Coin, Metal Objects, Stone Artefacts, Ceramics, and Beads

9. Chronology

10. Faunal Remains: Bone Fragments and Molluscs

11. Some Glimpses into Daily Life: The Laity and the Monks

12. Trade

Chapter 5. Cowrie Shells in Maldive Buddhism

Chapter 6. The Spread of Cowrie Shells

1. The Spread of Cowrie Shells in Asia

2. The Spread of Cowrie Shells into Europe

Chapter 7. The Conversion to Islam

Chapter 8. Conclusions

1. The Cowrie Shells

2. Early Settlers-Different Religions

3. A Buddhist Society in the Maldives-the Kaashidhoo Monastery as a Case Study

4. The Conversion from Buddhism to Islam

5. Chronology

Appendix A. Imported Stoneware Finds from China and South-East Asia (Zhang)

Appendix B. Catalogue of Decorated Earthenware from Kuruhinna Tharaagandu

Appendix C. An Archaeological Find of Aldabra Giant Tortoise and Sea Turtle, Domestic Fowl, and Fish from Kaashidhoo, the Maldives (Jonsson)

Appendix D. Buddhist (Pre-Islamic) Sites in the Maldives

Appendix E. Archaeological Finds of Buddhist Origin in the Maldives

References

Index

Back Cover

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Other Format:

Print version: Mikkelsen, Egil The Archaeology of Buddhism in the Maldives

ISBN:

9789004729469

9004729461

OCLC:

1517398380

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.