An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c11.s22: 6.22 Sickles
An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c11.s22
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6.22 Sickles
v1.c11.s22.1
Reaping implements, with a short handle and semicircular blade, the earliest known sickles are found at the Harappa [4.9] sites. They are of copper/bronze, generally with a sharp edge. While sickles have not been reported from any Chalcolithic [4.14] site, the Megalithic [4.17] specimens, of iron, resemble the Harappa ones and occur at MASKI, SANUR, BRAHMAGIRI, ADICHANALLUR, PERUMBAIR and HASHMATPET. The same type continued in the 'Āndhra' levels of BRAHMAGIRI. Curved and tanged sickles were used in the early historical cultures, having been found at UJJAIN, KAUŚĀMBĪ, NAGDA, HASTINĀPURA, ROPAR, MAHAL, RAJGHAT⁴, PURANA QILA, PRAKASH, SAMBHAR. RAIRH, SISUPALGARH, NAGARA and TER. Three types of sickles are found at NEVASA (150 B.C.–A.D. 200), viz. with curved blade, horizontal broad blade and short, broad blade.
v1.c11.s22.2
Mackay, E.J.H., 1938, *Further Excavations at Mohenjo-daro*, Delhi, 1, p. 471. Vats, M.S., 1940, *Excavations at Harappa*, Delhi, 1, pp. 388-9. For sites see respective entries in vol. II.—A. BANERJI