An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.22

v1.c9.s18.22

The chronology of the period is not as beset with problems as that of the preceding ones. In the later half of the period, 200 B.C. to A.D. 300, the evidence of coins [5.4] and inscribed materials [5.5] is of great help. A similarity of types in pottery, terracottas, beads and other objects—the result of an increasing degree of standardization—has been noticed at several centres. A stratigraphic study of these objects provides a useful framework of chronology, which however has suffered from a somewhat exaggerated importance given to the ocurrence of the NBPW [11.16]. While there is no denying its great significance, the occurrence of this *de luxe* ware in a uniform cultural context may be disputed; further, with a fairly long span of life (600-100 B.C.), its dating value is rather limited. [Some would push the time-brackets backward, cf. HASTINAPURA.]