The cultural history of Varanasi, one of the oldest inhabited cities of the world, is woven with a multi-layered composition of myths and folklores. Each important locality of the city has some mythology in its background, which seems to convey a significant happening of the past. Myths have deep roots in our society. Thus, their study is a promising line, capable of revealing the roots of our civilization. The study of the history of Varanasi without mythology, therefore, remains incomplete. The theme of this book, which is a fresh addition to the series, New Discoveries in the History of Varanasi, extends beyond the recording of archaeological findings at Shooltankeshwar and Avimukta-kshetra (Kashi-Vishwanath area). Having a special place in the Shaiva mythology of Varanasi, the material findings of these sites add much to the socio-religious history of the place when scrutinized along with folk-religious traditions. This volume also demonstrates the utility of conjoining the results of scientific analyses of tangible and intangible facets of a multi-layered cultural centre like Varanasi. The book embodies the details of the findings from the excavations at Shooltankeshwar and Saraswati Udyan. These sites form a part of the long drawn archaeological project to study the history of Varanasi. Incidentally, the twin sites of Saraswati Udyan and Shooltankeshwar also represent the nucleus and periphery of the Shaiva landscape of Kashi. The modern Kashi-Vishwanath temple (Pukka Mahal), in the heart of the city, falls within the Avimukta-kshetra, which according to mythology was the abode of Shiva and his consort Parvati. Although at a distance from Pukka Mahal, Shooltankeshwar is reputed in mythology for witnessing the event when Shiva held the river Ganga on his trident before she was to enter into the city. Archaeological findings from these two sites are also significant for scientific evaluation of the antiquity and genesis of such myths. In combination with the other excavated sites of Varanasi, these two sites outline the lateral as well as linear historical growth of the settlement pattern of Kashi-kshetra. This book, besides providing authentic data to archaeologists, is also useful for art historians as some of the classic lithic compositions recovered in archaeological context at Saraswati Udyan are documented here. The tales of Ganga-avatarna (descent of Ganga) and Avimukteshwar (the resort of Shiva-Parvati) have been evaluated in the light of archaeological findings. The inferences, thus drawn, are significant for the scholars involved in the study of Indian historical and cultural studies. Contents: Preface Acknowledgements List of Illustrations Section I Introduction 1. Objective and Planning 2. History of Archaeological Investigations in Varanasi 3. Pottery Inventory (Kushan to Early Medieval) Section II Excavations at Shooltankeshwar 4. Cuttings and Structures: Shooltankeshwar 5. Pottery from Excavations: Shooltankeshwar 6. Antiquities from Excavations: Shooltankeshwar 7. Dating Shooltankeshwar Site Section III Excavations at Saraswati Udyan 8. Cuttings and Structures: Saraswati Udyan 9. Pottery from Excavations: Saraswati Udyan 10. Antiquities from Excavations: Saraswati Udyan 11. Chronology and Dating: Saraswati Udyan Section IV Mythological and Historical Deductions 12. Mythology of Shooltankeshwar and Saraswati Udyan 13. Historical Overview of Kashi-kshetra in Archaeological Perspective Bibliography IndeAbout the Author: An archaeologist and a teacher of repute, Professor Vidula Jayaswal, after superannuation from the Banaras Hindu University, where she served for more than four decades, is presently occupying the prestigious Prof. R.C. Sharma Chair of Archaeology and Art History, at Jnana-Pravaha, Centre for Cultural Studies and Research, Varanasi. She has also served Archaeological Survey of India as Deputy Superintending Archaeologist for a short period. Recipient of various scholarships and fellowships, she received specialized training in archaeology and anthropology at the University of Berkeley. Professor Jayaswal has not only carried out a number of archaeological and ethnological field studies, but has also been prompt in publishing the results. Author of over twenty books and research monographs, and about 70 research articles, Professor Jayaswal is known for her original contribution in Indian prehistory, ethnoarchaeology and interpretation of archaeological remains of the Historical Period of the Middle Ganga Plain. Besides, she could also infuse scientific temper to the study of archaeology, through some major projects financed by the Ford Foundation (USA), and the Department of Science & Technology (Government of India), of which she has been the Principal Investigator and Coordinator. Her recent publications include–The Buddhist Landscape of Varanasi; Early History of Varanasi: Recent Excavations at Rajghat (with B.R. Mani); Varanasi and Ganga: Geomorphological and Archaeological Investigations at Ramnagar (with Uma Kant Shukla & Meera Sharma) and The Sacred Landscape of Mundeshwari: The ‘Oldest Living’ Temple (with Arvind Kumar Singh & Meera Sharma). She has also edited several volumes including–Glory of the Kushans: Recent Discoveries & Interpretations; Varanasi: Myths and Scientific Studies and Ganga in Legend and History: