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Prior to the commencement of maritime archaeological studies, many amateur divers, fishermen and academicians had recovered numerous artefacts from the seabed, to be either published, showcased, exhibited or sold. The importance and aesthetic value of the artefacts were understood by the scholars and the first academic research of maritime archaeology commenced in the Mediterranean Sea sometime after 1950. Moreover, maritime archaeology was also introduced in the curriculum of some universities and colleges in the 19th century. Now maritime archaeology is swiftly developing because of the availability of new technological advancements that allow archaeologists and oceanographers to explore deeper depths of the ocean bed which were earlier unapproachable. As in other countries, maritime archaeological studies were initiated in India in the year 1983, onshore and offshore explorations in the waters along the west and east coasts of India have been undertaken and remains of submerged ports, shipwrecks, stone anchors and traditional boatbuilding have been documented. But many scholars, researchers and students of South Asia, Southeast Asia and adjoining regions are not well informed on the recent research and advances in the field of Maritime Archaeology in comparison to other parts of the world. Therefore, it is proposed to bring out a special volume on 'Maritime Contacts of the Past: Deciphering Connections amongst communities' that would undoubtedly enhance the knowledge of the scholars and researchers as well. Scholars of different countries involved in this research were approached for contribution and 31 wide ranging articles related to Maritime Archaeology cover the region from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean, from the North Pacific to the South Atlantic Ocean.

Contents: Preface; Foreword; Acknowledgements

1. The Archaeobiology of Indian Ocean Translocations: Current Outlines of Cultural Exchanges by Proto-Historic Seafarers

2. Indo-Roman trade: A View from the Sea

3. The Indian Ocean in the Seventh and Eighth Centuries

4. A Southern African Perspective of the Early Indian Ocean Trade

5. History of Maritime Contacts Between Vietnam and India: Archaeological Evidence from Oc Eo culture in Southern Vietnam

6. Early Contacts between India and the Andaman Coast in Thailand from the 2nd century BC to 11th century AD

7. Role of Ceramics in the Indian Ocean Maritime Trade During the Early Historical Period

8. East and Southeast Asian Trade Ceramics from the Excavations at the United Arab Emirates

9. Iron and Cotton in the Indian Ocean Littoral: New data from ThaKae, Central Thailand

10. Ancient Tissamaharama: The Formation of Urban Structures and Growing Commerce

11. Mediaeval South Asian Earthenware in Northern Sumatra: Its relevance for Contemporary Maritime Trade

12. A Brief Study Concerning Martaban Jars

13. Ceramic Decorations on Buddhist Temples in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand

14. Insights into Southeast Asian Maritime Trade During the 15th Century: Asian Ceramics from the Santa Cruz Shipwreck in the Philippines

15. An Overview of Maritime Archaeology of Southeast Asia and Future Prospects

16. Port and Harbour Archaeology of Stockholm

17. Nautical Iconography from the Iberian Peninsula in Prehistory

18. Nautical Angkor: An Iconological Study of Khmer vessels in Angkorian Bas-Reliefs

19. The Naval Architecture of Ancient Fujian Style Sailing Junks: An overview

20. Some Traditional Boats of South Asia

21. Sinhalese Outrigger Craft

22. The Naval Battle of DhÈt Al-“awÈri Revisited (ca 653, 654 or 655)

23. An Interdisciplinary Approach Towards the Dispersal of Southeast Asian Maritime Technology Across the Indian Ocean

24. Sailing Rigs of the Western Indian Ocean During the First Millennium AD

25. The Study of Stone Anchors in Dorset, UK

26. Basic Thoughts on Anchors from East and Southeast Asia

27. Sheltered Bays: Linguistic and Ethnographic Approach to Maritime Communities of Bahia-Brazil

28. Contemporary Extensions of Ancient Bali-India Connections within Balinese Traditional Theatre

29. Pursuing Relevant Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Programs in Developing Countries

30. Portuguese Ships and their Designs in the Indo-Portuguese Maritime Trade

31. An Overview of Maritime Archaeological Studies in India Index.