Old Burma-Early Pagan

Component identifier:

Series 3

Content Summary:

Luce's magnum opus was published in 1969-70 in three volumes by Artibus Asiae and the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. Luce's life-work on the history, iconography and architecture of Pagan is in vol. 1 (text). Based on lithic inscriptions and other primary sources, it radically changed the history as presented in the Burmese chronicles. He acknowledged the assistance of Bo-hmu (i.e. Colonel) Ba Shin, U Tin Oo (for the photographs in vol. 3 ) and the staff of the Burma Historical Commission and the Burma Archaeological Department.

This comprehensive work remains the only scholarly research treatise on Pagan (now spelt Bagan), although there are now a number of more popular books. Vol. 1 (text) is in three parts: Part A. History, chapters I to VII, pp. 1-128; Part B. Iconography, chapters VIII to XI, pp.129-227 and Part C. Architecture, chapters XII to XX, pp.228-422. The manuscripts show these parts as I, II and III.

Files have sometimes been labelled just as “Old Burma” or “Early Pagan”, rather than the full title.

The entire manuscript has been preserved, with corrections and additions. There are also proof copies and correspondence relating to this work. Reviews of this work can be found in Series 9, File 2.

The work was reviewed by U Lu Pe Win (retired Director-General of Archaeology, Burma), in Journal of the Burma Research Society, vol. LIV, parts I and II (Dec. 1971), pp.1-30. Some critical reviews, for example one by Katika U Thet Tin, are also in the collection.

Names:

G. H. Luce

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