India, Nov. 14 -- The Origins of India is a deeply ambitious volume that reimagines the subcontinent's past through the lens of archaeology. Collecting essays written by about 50 of the finest archaeologists working today, the book brings together cutting-edge research and fresh interpretations to illuminate India's deep and complex past - from prehistoric man to the Indus Valley Civilisation and beyond. The book is organised as four sections that together trace the current state of archaeological research in South Asia. Section 1 opens with a discussion on how new dating techniques are reshaping timelines and interpretations. Section 2 focuses on current issues and debates in the world of Indian archaeology. Section 3 turns towards the Indus Valley Civilisation and its wider context; while Section 4 examines transitions to early history. The essays offer a layered account of an ancient past. Taken together, they seek to explore the country's deep history as complex, vibrant and shifting....