[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989) › v1.c11.s17 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c11.s17: 6.17 Ovens An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c11.s17 - **Language:** English ### 6.17 Ovens ### [v1.c11.s17.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c11.s17.1) The earliest specimens of ovens come from SARAI NAHAR RAI (Mesolithic \[4.5\], ¹⁴C date 8395 ± 110 ʙᴄ ). They are oblong or circular on plan, with burnt clay lump and animal bones, charred and uncharred. In the dwelling pits of BURZAHOM (Neolithic \[4.6.1\]) clay- or stone-lined hearths are found in the centre located on raised platforms and with ashes, charcoal and burnt clay. In one case three hearths appear in a row. In the late Neolithic \[4.6.4\] phase of CHIRAND a series of open longitudinal ovens is laid on circular floors. Similar hearths continue in the Chalcolithic \[4.14.3\] levels of the same place. Circular hearths are also reported in Neolithic \[4.6.9\] levels at HALLUR. At KALIBANGAN (Harappa \[4.9\]) within each house are found ovens both underground and overground, resembling modern tandurs in that region; the former have mud-plastered walls, and the latter, also with mud walls perhaps plastered, have bridged side-opening for feeding fuel Similar ovens are also found at SANGHOL in the late Harappa \[4.10\] times. At GILUND ovens have whitewashed exteriors. Large hearths with a unit of two or four cooking positions are common at AHAR⁴; they are laid on a square platform decorated with depressed chevrons. ### [v1.c11.s17.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c11.s17.2) The five-armed hearths are plain. They suggest the practice of community cooking. ### [v1.c11.s17.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c11.s17.3) Ovens are reported from Chalcolithic houses at CHANDOLI, ERAN, INAMGAON, NAVDATOLI, NEVASA, SONGAON, etc. They are lime-plastered and clay-lined with knobs inside and are either two- or four-armed, rectangular, square or semicircular on plan, ranging in diameter from 30 to 80 cm, with remains of ashes, charcoal, burnt wood, clods of clay, lime, etc. Remains of a series of ovens occur in late Harappa times at MALWAN. Ovens belonging to PGW \[4.15\] levels are known from sites in the Ganga-Yamuna valley, e.g. ALLAHAPUR, AMBKHERI, ATRANJIKHERA, HASTINĀPURA and KASERI. They are either closed or open hearths laid on mud floors, oval or rectangular in shape and are at times placed in rows. At ORIUP and PANDU RAJAR DHIBI ovens on kitchen floors are known from pre-Iron Age habitations. ### [v1.c11.s17.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c11.s17.4) The early NBPW \[4.16\] levels of AHICCHATRĀ, NOH, PURANA QILA, SAMBHAR and VAIŚĀLĪ have yielded two- and four-armed multiple ovens in mud-floored kitchens. Domestic kitchens of Sātavāhana times reveal interesting features. At BHOKARDAN have been found twin hearths resting on lime floors measuring 40 × 10 × 6 cm and three community hearths in the shape of a channel on rammed tile floors. At BRAHMAPURI large kitchens and two ovens with fixed storage jars and charred \*ragi\* lying near them have been excavated. ### [v1.c11.s17.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c11.s17.5) Ovens on kitchen floors, datable to Śuṅga-Kushan times, are reported from AWRA, CAMPA, KUMRAHAR, MASAON, NOH, SAMBHAR, TRIPURĪ and UJJAIN. They are of clay or are brick-lined, at times plastered, circular or oval in shape, two or three in a row, with built-in storage vessels close by. In the Megalithic \[4.17\] habitations at KESARAPALLE and KUNNATTUR there are oval ovens with finger-tip decorations. ANTICHAK, GILUND, KAUSAMBI, KAYATHA, NAGARA, PALLAVAMEDU, PURANA QILA and SARAI MOHANA have various ovens, more or less of modern types, in the late historical period. They are built on mud floors and are circular or oval on plan. ### [v1.c11.s17.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c11.s17.6) Sankalia. H D , \*et al\* , 1975. in \*Expedition\*. 17. 2. p 3 (for Inamgaon) Sharma, R S , 1975-6, in \*Puratattva\*, 8, pp. 67-8 For sites see respective entries in vol. II.—C. 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