John Croft wrote:
>
> Thinking of the issue of the Urheimat, I thought you folks may be
> interested in the following
>
> Linguistic Aspects of the Indo-European Urheimat Question
>
> by Koenraad Elst, Leuven (Belgium), December 21, 1998
> at http://sarasvati.simplenet.com/aryan/koenraad2.html
>
> The fact that such a reasoned account can be made for such a
> non-strandard location makes me realise how much current locations
> suggested are based on some pretty flimsy arguing and a process where
> people come to agree on such narrow evidence.
>
> An interesting argument (I found it whilst searching for web
> information on the Zarzian culture as a source of Proto IE. Does
> anyone know anything on the work of Bernard Sergent in PIE research?
>
> Regards
>
> John
>
Gerry here: Thanks for the Urheimat link. Looks as though India's
nationalism is ridding the linguistic world of an AIT (Aryan Invasion
Theory). My husband works for an Indian owned company and last summer
we had an opportunity to travel to Delhi; I felt this "nationalism"
first hand. But rather than calling it "nationalism" I'd rather think
of it in terms of "local pride" and a "desire to prove" what has been
written in the sacred texts.
And from my limited knowledge of the Rg-Veda, I do NOT think the texts
support an Aryan invasion. Once an internal chronology of the Rg-Veda
based on cross references between kings and poets is established, the
question of Aryan invasion should finally be put to rest. But so far,
THERE IS NO PROOF of a Vedic Aryan invasion from Central Asia (or
anywhere else).
Furthermore, the Dasas, the enemy of the Vedic Aryans, were NOT the dark
skinned aboriginals enslaved by Aryan invaders, they were Iranian tribes
living in the area (Asko Parpola, 1996).
But yes, the lightness of skin color does have a social advantage in
India. The sophisticated male, dressed in western attire was always of
a lighter skin than the street beggar. I could perhaps make the same
distinction for the women we met; however, all of them were dressed in
Indian saris and to me they all looked darker skinned than me. The sari
attire, however, didn't return the woman to the traditional role --
several of the young professional females jumped onto the backs of
motorscooters (side saddle) as we navigated the crowded streets of Delhi
with our driver.
You ask whether I know of Bernard Sergent. I am aware that he supports
the AIT (Aryan Invasion theory) and has published on the subject:
"Genese de I'Inde", Paris, 1997.
I am also aware that B.B. Lal, a supporter of the non-invasionist school
has also published "New Light on the Indus Civilization, Delhi, 1997".
QUESTION: Do you know if any archaeological evidence supports an Aryan
invasion? It seems to me that it shouldn't. And besides, how would
archaeological evidence confirm an invasion? Arrows stuck in the walls
at Monenjo Daro?
As far as Urheimat, I am aware that in the 18th century, India (along
with China) was looked to as inspiration for European Culture; wasn't it
Voltaire who looked to the Orient? Then in the 19th century India was
replaced by the Kurgan Culture (Russian Steppes) as Urheimat and source
of migrations into central and western Europe. The 20th century was
confused as to the source of Urheimat and much bloodshed occurred
although at the end of the century Sir Colin Renfrew looked to Turkey.
Now, at the beginning of the 21st century "Urheimat" continues to raise
it's ugly head. Do you know if anyone else has proposed a homeland? I
know that some folks wish to claim Bronocice and the salt mines as a
source.
Also, does anyone on the list know if there is linguistic evidence for
an Aryan invasion of India? What about solar, the sun, positive solar
directions etc. Anyone who has been involved in the Solar Energy
Industry knows the benefits of being able to identify the positive vs
negative solar directions and they also know that what is considered
positive to one geographic area can be thought of as a negative
influence on another.
Thanks in advance,
Gerry
--
Gerald Reinhart
Independent Scholar
(650) 321-7378
waluk@...
http://www.alekseevmanuscript.com