THE ARYANS PARADIGM: HISTORICAL, LINGUISTIC, AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
Keywords:
Aryans, Indo-Iranians, Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC), Proto-Indo-Iranian language, migrations, Central Asia, Indo-European studies, archaeological linguisticsAbstract
This thesis examines the concept of the Aryans paradigm through historical, linguistic, and archaeological lenses. It explores the origins, migrations, and cultural influence of Indo-Iranian groups, commonly referred to as Aryans, across Central and South Asia. By integrating archaeological evidence from the Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC) and linguistic data from Proto-Indo-Iranian languages, this research investigates the interactions between migrating Aryan groups and established local civilizations. The study emphasizes the complexities of defining Aryans in terms of ethnicity, language, and socio-cultural impact and highlights the significance of an interdisciplinary approach for reconstructing early Indo-European history.
Downloads
References
1. Boyce, M. Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1979.
2. Fortson, B.W. Indo-European Language and Culture: An Introduction, 2nd ed. Oxford: Blackwell, 2010.
3. Lamberg-Karlovsky, C.C. “Archaeology and Language: The Indo-Iranians.” Current Anthropology, 2003, Vol. 44(1), pp. 131–146.
4. Mallory, J.P. In Search of the Indo-Europeans: Language, Archaeology and Myth. London: Thames & Hudson, 1989.
5. Mallory, J.P., Adams, D.Q. Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture. London–Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn, 1997.
6. Parpola, A. The Roots of Hinduism: The Early Aryans and the Indus Civilization. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015.
7. Possehl, G.L. The Indus Civilization: A Contemporary Perspective. Walnut Creek: AltaMira Press, 2002.
8. Sarianidi, V.I. Margiana and Protozoroastrism. Athens: Kapon Editions, 1998.
9. Sarianidi, V.I. Gonur-depe – City of Kings and Gods. Moscow: Institute of Archaeology RAS, 2001.
10. Witzel, M. “Early Sanskritization: Origins and Development of the Kuru State.” Electronic Journal of Vedic Studies, 1995, Vol. 1(4), pp. 1–26.
