An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c11.s14: 6.14 Nails
An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c11.s14
- Language
- English
6.14 Nails
v1.c11.s14.1
The earliest nails of copper have been found in the Chalcolithic [4.14] levels of NAVDATOLI. They are round or rhomboid with a convex, outspread or square head. Iron nails have been found at TAKALGHAT, KHAPA, SANUR and MASKI—all Megalithic [4.17]. They also occur in the early historical levels of PAUNAR, HASTINĀPURA, NEVASA, TER, BRAHMAPURI, NASIK, KARAD, PRAKASH, BAHAL, TRIPURI, SOMNATH and KAUSĀMBĪ. They are long and tapering with heads variously shaped—circular, hooked, knobbed, oblong, bulbous and beaked. In the same levels at HASTINĀPURA, NAGARA, NEVASA, SISUPALGARH and GANGAPUR copper nails have also been found. They are sharply pointed and have a round or flat body with a rectangular or square section and flat, circular or knobbed head. The ones from HASTINĀPURA are noteworthy for their head forms. Iron nails of the shapes mentioned above continued in use till late historical times, as evidenced at PAUNAR (600-800) and HASTINĀPURA (10th-11th century).
v1.c11.s14.2
For sites see respective entries in vol. II.—A. BANERJI