ARCHAEOLOGY IN ASIA The relics and monuments of Buddhist Kashgar Monday 2 March 2015 In her talk to well over 50 TAASA members and guests, Marika Vicziany, Emeritus Professor at Monash Institute in Melbourne made a passionate case for the importance of continuing the archaeological work of the Monash Institute and others in the Kashgaria region. Material objects found in the region and preliminary investigation suggest that Kashgar was one of the main entry points of – TAASA Review June 2015

Buddhism into China and Professor Visziany described a number of sites where she hopes full excavation work will soon be possible. Everybody hates the archaeology department Monday 13 April 2015 In this 2nd talk in TAASA’s lecture series, we benefited from archaeologist Bob Hudson’s personal involvement in the successful campaign for heritage listing of the walled cities of Pyu (1st – 3rd centuries BCE) and the current campaign to achieve UNESCO status for Bagan.

Dr Hudson gave us a brief but thorough background to the significance of these sights and amusing insights into the politics and complexity of the UNESCO heritage listing process. Member Talk & Auction Preview at Bonhams Wednesday 18 March 2015 TAASA members enjoyed a preview at Bonhams’ premises in Paddington, Sydney of both its forthcoming general Asian Art auction and an auction of a 19th/20th century Chinese snuff bottle collection of some 360 pieces.

In her presentation, Yvett Klein, Bonham’s Asian Art Specialist, brought out for closer inspection a selection of bottles which demonstrated either particular rarity, beauty or historical interest – including an unusual group of bottles produced in the Cultural Revolution period. Viewing of the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences’ Asian Jewellery Exhibition & Collection Thursday 19 March 2015 A repeat event due to popular demand, MinJung Kim, Curator of Asian Arts and Design, walked the group through the exhibition A Fine Possession: Jewellery and Identity...