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

本研究于2002年至2004年在印度北方邦Shravasti的Maheth遗址进行，是继1986-89年和1991-98年关西大学与印度考古调查局合作在Saheth和Maheth遗址进行的发掘之后的又一次研究。在前一个地点，与佛陀时代建立的名为Shravasti的寺院遗址相一致，我们的挖掘揭示了浴场和寺庙的遗迹，并为了解古代佛教遗址提供了线索。后者自19^世纪末发现以来进行了多次发掘<th>，我们在前人研究的基础上，通过出土材料和地层来考察古代城市社会的转型过程，尽管由于遗址的广阔性，马赫斯的整个形象仍然超出了我们的理解范围。本研究旨在更全面地了解之前的发掘结果。首先，我们在现场进行了广泛的勘探，记录了现状，并调查了几个结构，包括Imri Darwaza或门。其次，我们分析了出土材料，使我们能够考虑古代城市的物质文化，因为它们的数量和多样性。通过现场调查和资料研究，我们全面了解了古代城市化的历史发展。此外，我们还调查了与马赫特类似的遗址，以在早期历史时期的背景下对其进行研究。很难说，在先前的研究中，对各个地点的调查及其相应的历史背景化并不成功。因此，我们可以肯定，目前的研究产生了相当重要的成果，印度研究的许多方面。

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.