An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c16.s13.7

v1.c16.s13.7

Gaur [1969] states that in Phase A the ware has a fine quality though pots in impure clay and with gritty core, ill-fired and turned on a slow wheel, are also present. But generally the ware has a fine to medium fabric and is turned on a fast wheel. Thick sherds are also found. A smooth black slip is uniformly applied on the surface, giving a fairly shiny appearance but lacking the lustre of the NBPW. Instance of burnishing are also noticed. The core is grey. [Hedge (1975) on the basis of his examination of a few sherds from HASTINĀPURA, says that the black pigment is composed of magnetite. When a fragment is heated in an open crucible the black colour turns red. It is possible to infer that the black slip is produced by the application of liquid clay containing finely ground red ochre, burnishing it and baking in a reducing atmosphere].