An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s14.4

v1.c9.s14.4

Of all the Chalcolithic cultures, the Ahar² culture [4.14.1] stands apart on account of its distinct ceramic—the white-painted black-and-red ware [11.6.2]. It flourished in the Banas valley in Rajasthan but also extended beyond into the Chambal valley in Malwa in c. India as is clear from the KAYATHA evidence. Although it has been described as a Copper Age culture, the stone blade industry associated with it at GILUND entitles it to be classed as Chalcolithic. The origin of this culture is unknown but it can be said to have been a local development and the technique of producing the black-and-red ware may have been borrowed from the adjoining Saurashtra region where the Harappans had already mastered it [11.6.1]. The Ahar² people lived in large stone-built houses and their settlements were quite extensive as at AHAR² and GILUND.