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Epigraphy
A brief history of the translation of the Piprahwa inscription
The Ashes of the Buddha by Harry Falk. Published by Bulletin of the Asia Institute 2018
Harry Falk is a Professor emeritus of Indology at the Freie Universität Berlin, member of the Academy of Science and Literature, Mainz, and the German Archaeological Institute. He held the chair of Indian Philology in Berlin since 1993 and retired in 2012. His work includes Writing in Ancient India - A Survey of Research (1993, in German), Asokan Sites and Artefacts (Mainz 2006) and several papers with editions of newly found Buddhist manuscripts written in Kharosthi script on birch-bark from the first century CE. Most of his papers on epigraphy and Indian chronology are combined in H.F, Harisyenalekhapañcasika - Fifty selected papers on Indian epigraphy and chronology, ed. by B. Schneider and I. Strauch, Bremen 2013.
Professor Ahmad Hasan Dani (1920-2009) was a Pakistani archaeologist, historian and linguist. He was among the foremost authorities on Central Asian and South Asian archaeology and history. During his career, Dani was awarded honorary fellowships by the Royal Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (1969), the German Archaeological Institute (1981) and the Royal Asiatic Society (1991). He had more than 30 published books and numerous journal articles to his credit.
Scientific analysis of the gems
It should be noted that any kind of destructive testing has been rejected on both religious and scientific grounds. Dr. Fiona Brock’s piece explains why radiocarbon dating of coral and pearls would be inconclusive. Advice sought from Asian Buddhists elicited this response:
Even reliquary offerings like jewels that are kept in contact with buddha relics for long are sacred. Any type of test / destruction / irradiation of buddha relics may be a very bad karma.
Gemologist Jack Ogden, however, was able to examine drilling and polishing techniques under a microscope and make comparisons to similar items that had already been found elsewhere and dated.
Dana E. Norris is a partner at Watt and Norris Conservation. In 2002 Dana was awarded a BFA in Crafts concentrating in Ceramic Art from Kent State University, Ohio, USA. From 2006-2008 she worked as a Project Conservator for the Cleveland Museum of Art before taking up a series of posts at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford University. In 2012 Dana successfully completed the PACR process becoming an accredited member of the Institute of Conservation. She is currently a PHD student at Cranfield University in the department of Forensics researching Chinese Enamels on metal and related materials.
Gemology
Report on the beads and related objects from the Piprahwa stupa by Dr Jack Ogden (2018)
Dr Jack Ogden is founder of the Society of Jewellery Historians and a leading authority on the materials, technology, and authenticity of ancient jewellery. He is the author of numerous articles and a book on jewellery of the ancient world. His work includes consulting, working with museums, auction houses, dealers and collectors worldwide, mainly advising on problems of authenticity of ancient and historical jewellery. He has written and lectured widely on his subject and taught courses at The J. Paul Getty Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Institute of Fine Arts (NY) and Institute of Archaeology (London). He is an elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and has been awarded a Doctorate from Durham University (Egyptology), the Gem-A Gemmology Diploma (with distinction) and the Diploma in Art Profession Law and Ethics (with distinction) from the Institute of Art Law. From 1995 to 2000 he was Secretary General to CIBJO and Chief Executive of the NAG. He joined Gem-A as CEO in 2004, a post he held until 2012. He is now working for Gem-A part-time as an international ambassador.