Art and archaeology of early maritime Southeast Asia

This module explores maritime connectivity and the dynamic role played by Southeast Asian Buddhist and Hindu polities, circa 200 – 1400 CE in the formation of regional religious identities and art styles.

It does so by examining a range of art historical and archaeological evidence, including sacred sculpture and monuments, textual sources, archaeological sites and shipwrecks. Incipient Southeast Asian polities drove the development of the first millennium CE maritime networks linking the region with the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia.

By highlighting interconnectivity, the module complements other modules that focus on the art and archaeology of neighbouring regions by enabling students to situate these cultures within a larger Indian Ocean World context.

Objectives and learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to

• Assess the expansion of Buddhism and Hinduism in Southeast Asia along maritime networks and the later construction of sacred ceremonial centres from the 3rd to the 14th centuries CE.
• Appraise the political, religious, and social contexts that generated the rich cultural heritage visible in the sculptural, architectural, and archaeological remains of the region. 
• Evaluate the approaches and methods used by the disciplines of art history and archaeology to reconstruct the histories of these maritime societies.
• Formulate the ability to situate the art and archaeology of Southeast Asia within the larger Indian Ocean World historical context.

Workload

• Lectures: 1 hour per week  
• Seminars: 1 hour per week 

Method of assessment

• One 1,000-word written report, object analysis or review (worth 40% of marks)
• One 2,000-word essay (worth 60%)

Suggested reading

• Jacques, C. (2006) The Khmer Empire Trans. T. White, River Books, Bangkok
• O’Brien, K. (2008) Sutasoma: the ancient tale of a Buddha-Prince Orchid Press, Singapore
• Samuel, G. (2008) The Origins of Yoga and Tantra: Indic Religions to the 13th century CUP
• Scheurleer, P. L. & Klokke, M. J. (1988) Divine Bronze: ancient Indonesian bronzes from A.D. 600-1600 E.J. Brill, Leiden
• Sharrock, P.D. (2009: 49-64) ‘Hevajra at Banteay Chmar’ A curator’s choice: Essays in Honor of Hiram Woodward, Jr The Journal of the Walters Art Gallery

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.