An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c7.s3: 2.3 Fibre Plants

An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c7.s3

Language: English

2.3 Fibre Plants

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2.3.1 *Boehemeria platyphylla*. ATRANJIKHERA (OCW), where stem fibres have been used in making fishing-nets and cordage.

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2.3.2 *Carthamus tinctorius* (safflower). NEVASA (early historical, Indo-Roman). A rain-fed drought-resistant crop, with original home in the mountainous regions of Abyssinia and Afghanistan.

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2.3.3 *Crotalaria juncea* (*san*). HABBAL (with punch-marked coins).

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2.3.4 *Erianthus munja* (*munj*). Harappa.

2.3.5 *Gossypium* sp. (cotton). Harappa, Mohenjo-daro (Harappa); CHANDOLI, NEVASA (Chalcolithic); Mysore (Iron Age). Neolithic remains, 4000 years old, show that it was used as livestock feed in the Nile valley. It is believed to be indigenous in Asia and Africa, most likely brought under cultivation first in Sind and Gujarat.

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2.3.6 *Linum usitatissiumum*. See 2.6.2.