[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989) › v1.c9.s16.6 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s16.6 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s16.6 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c9.s16.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s16.6) (3) \*Post-Chalcolithic but pre-NBPW stage in the middle and lower Ganga valley.\* The published information is scanty. The major sites are PANDU RAJAR DHIBI, MAHISDAL, both in the Ajay valley, w. of the lower Ganga valley, and CHIRAND and SONPUR, both in the middle Ganga valley. This stage is a continuation of the earlier Chalcolithic stage with a black-and-red ware except the addition of iron. At MAHISDAL for instance even microliths occur in a significant quantity in the iron-bearing level which shows evidence of local ironsmelting in the form of slag. MAHISDAL has iron arrowhead, spearhead, chisel, nail, etc., in addition to an abundance of ore and slag. The available ¹⁴C dates suggest a date of 750-700 B.C. for the beginning of iron at MAHISDAL and this date can be extended to the other relevant levels of the region. - [Previous: v1.c9.s16.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s16.5) - [Next: v1.c9.s16.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s16.7) - [Up: v1.c9.s16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s16) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s16.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s16.6) · Pramāṇa