Chapter 2 - Archaeological Indicators of Mediterranean Sea Trade

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dated between 300 B.C. - A.D. 200 by de Puma (1992:103). However, the Poseidon
figure comes from strata dated to 1st-2nd century A.D. (Sankalia 1957:207-208).
A bronze stattuete of Atlas was recovered from Devnimori, Gujarat (see
section on Copper/Bronze objects).
A terracotta bust of a Yavana (Roman soldier?) was found during explorations
at Erode, Tamil Nadu. The bust is in the possession of the Kalaimagal
Meenakshisundaram Archaeological learning and Research Centre at Erode. The
author was provided with photographs of the unique terracotta figure by Director of
the French Institute, Pondicherry (Pl. XIII; also Gupta 1990; Cimino 1994 Pl
XVII. 1). Date indeterminate
An imitation of a Roman bust probably inspired by portraitures on "Indo-
Roman" coins was found during excavations at Jetavanarama, Sri Lanka
(Bopearachchi 1996:71). Mid-1st millenium A.D.
13. Cameos
Indian Subcontinent: From Arikamedu, Wheeler et al. (1946:101) reports 'a
quartz intaglio of Graeco-Roman workmanship representing Cupid and a bird...'
discovered by French prospectors and kept in the Pondicherry Museum. Wheeler also
mentions 'the casual discovery of a gem said to bear the head of Augustus Caesar (1st
century A.D.).' The intaglio in question was lost when Wheeler heard about it. A
number of cameo 'blanks' have been recovered from Arikamedu (Francis, Jr. 1987).
One such blank was found by the author while exploring the 'bead factory' area of
Arikamedu mound (Pl. XII.a).
From Ter (Maharashtra) two oval carnelian seals were recovered. The seals,
though depicting Indian themes (bust of man and figure of bull), nevertheless show
influence of Mediterranean crafting (Cimino 1994: 178-181, Pl. LIV:1-2).
From the site of Karvan near Baroda (Gujarat) was found a cameo of red agate
showing the bust of a lady of probable Hellenic origin. A carnelian cameo crafted
using Graeco-Roman techniques was also discovered at Paithan, Maharashtra (Cimino
1994:185-187).
In Jetavanarama, Sri Lanka was found an intaglio depicting a Roman figure
inspired by portraitures on Roman coins (Bopearachchi 1996:71).
Southeast Asia: From the ancient beadworking coastal site of Khlong Thom
(Malaysia) were found three Roman carnelian intaglios, two portraying the Goddess
Tyche or Fortuna and a pair of fighting cockerels and the third with the figure of God
Perseus. They are dated to late 1st-2nd century A.D. (Glover 1996:135).