arma-, armaka 'ruined site'

[Paul K. Manansala]

 "Dominique.Thillaud" <thillaud at UNICE.FR>
wrote:

> Erik Seldeslachts wrote:
> >It is difficult to see how this can be taken as a proof of a pre-Aryan
> >urbanised
> >culture being followed by Aryans without cities but living among ruins. It
> >is just an
> >indication of population shifts caused by major geological shifts, nothing
> >more.
>
>         Why "geological" ? I can understand why the Aryans are excluded by
> you: "that's the other theory". But why not God's wrath, or anything else ?
>         Almost all rivers of plains change their course along their history
> without destroying civilizations! To my knowledge, countries such
> Bangla-Desh suffer each year major geological disasters but survive.
>         Strong climatic changes occur in Mesopotamia but it seems that
> Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Romans and Arabians play a greater role in the
> cultural changes of the country ...

But then you have civilizations like those in Mesoamerica and Ponape
which vanish due to geological/climatic change.  The Sahara was once
a fairly populated and wet region until weather changes caused mass
migrations.

>
>         I understand well why a theory showing the Indus Valley
> civilization (eventually "Dravidian") destroyed by invaders (eventually
> "Aryan") don't is today a "politically correct" one. But the arguments
> against it are poor (most of them "in absentia") and highly suspect to be
> justified by non-historical motives.
>         We have some simple facts:
>         - Indus Valley civilization disappears, just leaving ruins.

More like remains of deserted cities.

>         - subsequent dwellers of the country speak a language strongly
> related to a great lot of languages spoken out of this country.

And related to languages spoken within the country.

>         - the same dwellers have ancient text talking about destruction of
> cities.

But not about origin elsewhere.  In fact, all the peoples in the
Vedas are already situated in India. The destruction of cities comes
from warfare between different kingdoms in India.

>         Against:
>         - We've never found a "Dravidian" corpse with an "Aryan" spade in
> the breast.

Nor an "Aryan" cultural complex.  Or even an "Aryan" skeletal series in
a relevant time period.

>         - We've never found prooves of incendy in the ruins.

Nor of Kurgan or other Central Asian complexes.

>         - The Dravidian tradition don't knows stories about his own
> destruction.

>         - The Aryans living today in India are very peaceful.
>

Not anymore so than most people.  Remember the subcontinent has had
almost continuous strife since WWII.  At least four major
insurgencies, and cold/hot conflicts between India and Pakistan and
internally in Sri Lanka.

Regards,
Paul Kekai Manansala