An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c23.s1.3

v1.c23.s1.3

Except for copper antimony rods from the third phase of the pre-NBPW black-and-red ware deposits [4.13] at NAGAL and from the Megalithic [4.17] levels at PEDDABANKUR antimony rods have so far not been reported from any site till the period marking the emergence of the NBPW [4.18.1]. Apart from the plain kohl sticks of copper with either both or one end rounded, etc., found in the NBPW and early historical levels at a large number of sites, e.g., Taxila (Marshall, 1951, pp. 585-7) including Sirkap (Ghosh, 1947-8, p. 78), HASTINĀPURA, TRIPURĪ, RAIRH, BESNAGAR, NASIK, KAYATHA, NAGARI, PRAKASH, SONPUR, RAJGHAT⁴, VAIŚĀLĪ, TIRUKKAMBULIYAR KAUNḌINYAPURA, CHIRAND, BUXAR, AHICCHATRĀ, NOH, CAMPĀ MASAON, TUMAIN, TAKIAPER, BANGARH, etc., specimens with either one end decorated or shaped for use as ear-cleaner or tooth-pick and decorated in the middle have been found at HASTINĀPURA, Taxila (Marshall, 1951, pp. 585-6), NAGDA and RAIRH. The specimen from RAIRH has a *tri-ratna* symbol at the other end of the rod. According to Marshall (1951, p. 585) antimony rods of bone, ivory, copper or bronze which occur at Taxila from the 3rd or possibly the 4th century B.C. were introduced there by the Greeks.