An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s9.t1.1
An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s9.t1.1
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v1.c21.s9.t1.1
In India the antiquity of this metal goes back to the Harappa [4.9] period. Gold ornaments are known from LOTHAL (Harappa), ROJDI (late Harappa), TEKKALAKOTA (Neolithic-Chalcolithic [4.14.8], Phase I), DAIMABAD (Chalcolithic [4.14.6]), KAUŚĀMBĪ (300 B.C.) and the Megalithic burials [4.17]. Gold foil beads and small gold objects are reported during the early historical period from NEVASA, NASIK, JORWE, PANDU RAJAR DHIBI, VAIŚĀLĪ, NAGARJUNAKONDA, etc. Except in the Harappa period gold was a scarce metal all through. From the Kushan period this metal was no longer scarce and its use in the form of coins was quite popular. Gupta gold coins show excellent gold metallurgy [3.1].