Axel examines whether the people who composed the Rigveda were pastoralists or agriculturalists by analysing the text’s descriptions of agriculture and comparing them to those found in other Indo-European languages. He explains how tracing the history of words like “phala” (plowshare) can reveal insights into cultural and technological exchange in prehistoric language communities.

Palmér also touches on his future research plans, focusing on the relationship between Indo-Iranian and Balto-Slavic languages, and how his frequent interactions with other SCAS fellows have broadened his interdisciplinary perspective.

Axel Palmér is a Human Past Junior Fellow in residence at SCAS in the academic year 2024-25.