An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s10.3

v1.c9.s10.3

In Gujarat the transitional cultures from the mature to the late Harappa is clear at LOTHAL, RANGPUR, SURKOTADA, DESALPUR, PRABHAS PATAN and SOMNATH, again farther s. at MEHGAM and TELOD in the Narmada and at BHAGATRAV and MALWAN in the TAPTI estuaries. LOTHAL A, a port town of the mature Harappa, shows in its late phase (LOTHAL B) a transformation comparable with that of RANGPUR. The convex-sided bowl shows change, whereas the beaker, goblet, small jar and basin gradually disappear and are replaced by newly evolved ones. No mud-brick houses, drains and baths are noticed, and the other structures are poor. The Harappa traits further deteriorate in RANGPUR II C which is marked by the appearance of the Lustrous Red Ware [11.9]. Terracotta Cakes [6.27] and perforated jars are absent. The use of faience and steatite altogether vanish. At SURKOTADA it is towards the end of Phase B and in Phase C that a white-painted black-and-red ware akin to that of AHAR^2 is found dominating in the Harappa complex, whereas at LOTHAL this ware is present right from the beginning [11.6.1]. The other types consist of the bowl-and-dish, handled bowl and channel-handled bowl. The typical Harappa goblet and perforated jar in red ware are also available but in a restricted way. There is no lustrous red ware present here. The other objects include terracotta bulls, cart frames, wheels, chert blades and copper and faïence objects. The earlier rubble masonry fortification was also reconstructed in this phase. DESALPUR also reveals a cultural continuity from the mature to late Harappa phases. In the late phase the cream-slipped bichrome ware is present in the form of dish and bowl. The white-painted black-and-red ware also makes its appearance, but there is no lustrous red ware. The handled sauce-pan in red ware with a deliberate curved top for firm grip which started in the mid-levels of the mature phase is in profusion in the late phase. Other objects include knives, chisels, rods and rings of copper and ribbon flakes of chert. ROJDI, PRABHAS PATAN, SOMNATH, AMRA and LAKHABAwal also indicate a kind of transformation of the Harappa culture. Pd II B of PRABHAS PATAN saw the decline of the lustrous red ware and emergence of plain slipped ware.