A Study of Maheth(Sravasti)site in India-the investigation of palace area

目前的研究从2002年到2004年在印度北方邦什拉瓦斯蒂的Maheth遗址进行。此次研究是继1986年至1989年和1991年至1998年关西大学和印度考古调查局合作在Saheth和Maheth遗址进行的挖掘之后进行的。在前一处，被认定为佛祖时代建立的寺院遗址，我们的挖掘发现了浴场和寺院的遗迹，并为了解古代佛教遗址提供了线索。在后者，自19世纪末发现以来，我们进行了几次发掘，在前人研究的基础上，我们通过挖掘的材料和地层考察了古代城市社会的过渡过程，尽管由于遗址的广阔，我们对马赫斯的整个形象仍然超出了我们的理解。目前的研究旨在更全面地了解之前的挖掘结果。首先，我们在现场进行了广泛的勘探，记录了现状，并对包括Imri Darwaza或Gate在内的几个结构进行了调查。其次，我们分析了出土的材料，因为它们数量众多，种类繁多，使我们能够从物质文化的角度来思考古代城市主义。通过现场调查与材料研究相结合，我们对古代城市主义的历史发展有了较为全面的认识。此外，我们还调查了与Maheth相似的遗址，以便在早期历史时期的背景下对其进行研究。在之前的研究中，对各自遗址的调查及其相应的历史背景化几乎可以说是不太成功的。因此，我们确信，目前的研究在印度研究的许多方面取得了相当重要的成果。

The present research had been practiced from 2002 to 2004 at the site of Maheth, located at Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh in India.This research succeeded the excavations practiced at the site of Saheth and Maheth in collaboration between Kansai University and the Archaeological Survey of India during 1986-89 and 1991-98. At the former site, identified with the monastic site called Shravasti that was established at the time of the Buddha, our excavations revealed remains of baths and monasteries, and gave clues to the understanding of ancient Buddhist sites. At the latter, practiced several excavations since its discover in the late 19^<th> century, we examined the transitional process of the ancient urban society through excavated materials and strata based on the preceding studies, although the entire figure of Maheth is still beyond our understanding because of the vastness of the site.The present research aimed at more comprehensive understanding of the results of preceding excavations. Firstly, we practiced the extensive exploration at the site, recorded the present condition, and surveyed several structure including the Imri Darwaza or Gate. Secondly, we analysed the unearthed materials that enabled us to consider about the ancient urbanism in terms of material culture because of their great number and variety. As a result of site survey parallel with material study, we came to understand the historical development of the ancient urbanism comprehensively.In addition, we surveyed similar sites to Maheth to examine it in the context of the Early Historical Period. It can be hardly said that surveys on respective sites and their consequential historical contextualisation are not much successful in the preceding studies. Therefore we are assured that the present research produced quite important fruits for many aspects of Indian studies.