An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c16.s6.t1.1

v1.c16.s6.t1.1

The black-and-red ware is the characteristic ceramic industry of the Chalcolithic period in the lower Ganga valley [4.14.4]. It was first discovered at PANDU RAJAR DHIBI in 1959 and since then intensive fieldwork has brought to light nearly 50 sites in almost all the important river valleys lying to the w. of the Ganga. Its distribution from Dt Birbhum in the n. to the periphery of the coastal region beyond TAMLUK, Dt Midnapur, in the s. suggests a wide diffusion of Chalcolithic settlements located mainly on the flood plains of the older alluvium at a point where it merges with the wide alluvial plains of the Ganga. The following are some of the important sites: Dt Birbhum—BELUTI, DAULI, Ghurisha, Jaker Danga (HARAIPUR), KIRNAHAR, KOTASUR, MAHISDAL, MANDIRA, NANUR, Ranir Dhibi (Jashpur), POTANDA, Sakardihi and SURAT RAJAR DHIBI (Supur); Dt Bankura—CHIADA, Dihar and POKARNA; Dt Purulia—Deultaur; Dt Burdwan—Baneswar Danga, BHARATPUR, Eruar, Ganga Danga, Hazra Danga (Basantapur), MANGALKOT, Rajagram and SANTAL DANGA; Dt Murshidabad—Gitagram; Dt Midnapur—Ichapur, Natshal, SIJUA and TAMLUK.