An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c10.s4.6

v1.c10.s4.6

The later part of Pd IV of ROPAR, Stratum III of AHICCHATRĀ, Pd IV of PURANA QILA and Pd V of MATHURA have yielded coins of the Gupta period, and along with them terracotta sculptures, moulded plaques, sealings, etc., which are stylistically assignable to the period of the Guptas, thereby corroborating the correctness of the assessment made from other disciplines. In still later periods Hūṇa, Indo-Sassanian, Rajput, Sulṭānate and Mughal coins are met with and they confirm the continued late occupations of sites like PURANA QILA, HASTINĀPURA, ROPAR, AHICCHATRĀ, SIRPUR, BRAHMAPURI and VADODARA. In the Deccan, Sātavāhana coins help to determine the early phases of BRAHMAPURI ranging from the 3rd century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D., CHANDRAVALLI Pd II from the 1st to the 3rd century A.D., NEVASA Pds IV and V from the 3rd century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D., Nasik Pd II B from 200 B.C. to A.D. 50, NAGARJUNAKONDA Pd IV from the 2nd to the 4th century A.D., etc. The associated pottery types range from the NBPW to typical kaolin slipped pots which were prevalent during the Sātavāhana rule, the Red Polished Ware [11.23], the Rouletted Ware [11.21] and plain red ware, the last one sometimes with decorative designs. Roman coins or imitation Roman coins that are noticed at least three of the above sites further confirm the date of the pottery as well as throw interesting light on the trends of contemporary life as revealed in fine brick-built structures, underground drains, characteristic beads of semiprecious stones, translucent glass bangles, kaolin-covered terracottas, etc., showing a state of prosperity perhaps attained through maritime trade with the w. world.