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Arts & Communication Safeguarding Sinauli’s royal chariot discovery

of the main factors that accelerate copper corrosion. In rich history. As research continues, it is hoped that further
addition, PVA films are relatively flexible, allowing them discoveries will shed more light on the ancient societies
to accommodate slight movements or vibrations in the that once thrived there, leading to a more comprehensive
copper substrate without cracking or becoming brittle. This understanding of India’s diverse past.
flexibility maintains the integrity of the protective coating.
PVA is considered non-toxic, making it a safe choice for Acknowledgments
applications involving direct human contact. 20-22 Due to We express our sincere gratitude to the Director General
these properties, a 0.5 – 1% solution of PVA in toluene is and Additional Director General (conservation) of the
commonly used as a preservative coating. Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, for their
The results of the 3D documentation of the royal invaluable contributions through fruitful discussion and
chariot (Supplementary Video S1), conducted after the suggestions, which greatly enhanced the quality of this
completion of its restoration and preservation are shown research work.
in Figures 10 and 11.
Funding
4. Conclusion None.
The discovery of a royal chariot at Sinauli has provided
valuable insights into the Chalcolithic era, highlighting Conflict of interest
its significance in archaeology and history. The numerous The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
copper artifacts found at the site indicate a sophisticated
society with advanced technology and intricate cultural Author contributions
practices. These artifacts not only showcase the Conceptualization: Manoj Kumar Bhatnagar, Sanjay Kumar
metallurgical skills of the time but also suggest that copper Manjul, Dharmendra Kumar
played an important role in daily life, potentially including Formal analysis: Dharmendra Kumar
religious practices. While the Sinauli findings have greatly Investigation: Manoj Kumar Bhatnagar, Dharmendra
enriched our understanding of this ancient civilization, Kumar
several questions remain unanswered, and there are Methodology: Rina Parmar, Dharmendra Kumar
opportunities for future research. Ongoing investigations Writing-Original draft: Dharmendra Kumar
aim to explore the cultural connections of the Sinauli people Writing-review & editing: Manoj Kumar Bhatnagar, Rina
with neighboring regions, offering a more comprehensive Parmar
view of their history. Continued exploration and detailed
analysis of the artifacts may reveal additional layers of Ethics approval and consent to participate
cultural complexity. Future investigations, employing
more sophisticated techniques, are expected to unveil Not applicable.
new insights into the variations in material composition Consent for publication
compared to similar objects.
Not applicable.
The excavation of the royal chariot not only safeguards a
significant archaeological discovery but also enhances our Availability of data
collective understanding of the past. The conservation
21
and restoration efforts have been meticulous and Data used in this work are available from the corresponding
specialized, involving a range of techniques and materials author on reasonable request.
to ensure the chariot’s long-term preservation. These References
efforts included removing consolidators and preservatives,
applying corrosion inhibitors, and using protective 1. Ratnagar S. The Aryan Homeland Debate in India. Illinois,
coatings to stabilize and protect this remarkable artifact. US: The University of Chicago Press; 2007. p. 349-378.
By preserving and showcasing this cultural heritage, we Available from: https://www.academia.edu/11955690/The_
Aryan_Homeland_Debate_in_India [Last accessed on 2024
honor the achievements of our ancestors and contribute Aug 28].
to humanity’s shared history. This underscores the
importance of preserving and studying cultural heritage as 2. Childe VG. The case for an Asiatic cradle of the Aryans,
a means to unravel the mysteries of bygone eras. Gordon Childe 1926 The Aryans A study of Indo
European origins. Ch. 5. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.;
Overall, the discovery and conservation of the royal chariot 1926. p. 94-137. Available from: https://www.academia.
from Sinauli offer a fascinating glimpse into ancient India’s edu/28387648/Gordon_Childe_1926_The_Aryans_A_

Volume 2 Issue 4 (2024) 9 doi: 10.36922/ac.2437