[Invited Lecture Series] WHO WERE THE AUTHOCTONS OF THE MEGHALAYA PLATEAU?
The session explores the prehistoric inhabitants of the Meghalaya Plateau, delving into archaeological findings, settlement patterns, and human migration routes in the region. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of Northeast India’s rich archaeological history.
INCAA 3rd Invited Lecture Series (2024-25)
WHO WERE THE AUTOCHTHONS OF THE MEGHALAYA PLATEAU?
Speaker:
Prof. Quinbala Marak
Professor in the Department of Anthropology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India
Event Details:
Date: 4 October 2024
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM IST
Join via Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/frb-wodd-dfq
Programme Schedule:
7:00 PM - 7:10 PM: Welcome and Introductory Remarks by Prof. Subho Roy, Member Secretary, INCAA
7:10 PM - 7:15 PM: Chairperson Remarks by Prof. Kishor K Basa, Chairman, INCAA
7:15 PM - 8:00 PM: Lecture by Prof. Quinbala Marak
Department of Anthropology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India
Lecture Title: Who Were The Autochthons Of The Meghalaya Plateau?8:00 PM - 8:20 PM: Q&A - Discussion with All Participants
8:20 PM - 8:25 PM: Chairperson Concluding Remarks by Prof. Kishor K Basa, Chairman, INCAA
8:25 PM - 8:30 PM: Thanks and Way Forward by Dr. Hari Charan Behera, INCAA
Speaker:
Prof. Quinbala Marak
Professor in the Department of Anthropology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India
Her research focuses on Prehistoric Archaeology and Heritage Studies in Northeast India. She has successfully guided 10 students on their doctoral theses, authored 5 books, published over 60 research papers in peer-reviewed journals, and contributed over 50 chapters in edited volumes. Prof. Marak has completed 7 research projects funded by national agencies and is currently involved with an NEC-funded visual documentation project on Verrier Elwin. She is also associated with the exploration and excavation of sites such as Misimagre and Bibragre in Garo Hills, and megalithic sites in Jaintia Hills.
Northeast India is a hotbed of prehistoric cultural remains but remains largely unexplored. Among the most productive regions in this context are the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills, which comprise the present state of Meghalaya. The earliest report of a prehistoric phase appeared in 1931 (from Garo Hills), followed by numerous site discoveries, including a significant collection of stone tools, prehistoric pottery, and megaliths. The prolific number of sites and their findings strongly suggest that this region was extensively occupied during the Stone Ages and may have served as a corridor for early human migrations between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Who were these ancient inhabitants of the region? What do we know about their adaptation strategies? Are there any ethnographic parallels? This lecture will explore these questions, addressing topics such as authorship, subsistence, settlement patterns, and prehistoric migration.