An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.24

v1.c9.s18.24

The sites which have yielded significant evidence for the dating of the period are HASTINĀPURA, AHICCHATRĀ, ŚRĀVASTĪ and KAUŚĀMBĪ. A series of numismatic evidence from both AHICCHATRĀ and KAUŚĀMBĪ provides a firm basis for dating the levels from 300 B.C. to A.D. 300. Correspondingly the material from these levels, notably pottery and terracottas, acquires a dating value. The excavation at ŚRĀVASTĪ produced comparable material from Pd II, which has accordingly been dated to *c.* 300-50 B.C. Both at ŚRĀVASTĪ and KAUŚĀMBĪ there is no difficulty in dating the immediately preceding period, characterized by the occurrence of NBPW to a date bracket of *c.* 550-300 B.C., which is supported by the limited number of ¹⁴C dates from KAUŚĀMBĪ and RAJGHAT. On the basis of comparative stratigraphy the dates of Pds II, III and IV of HASTINĀPURA, as given by the excavator, might require revision. Shapes in plain red ware of Pd II (PGW level) of HASTINĀPURA are comparable with those from Pd I (PGW-cum-NBPW levels) of ŚRĀVASTĪ. Similarly pottery shapes and other cultural material of Pd III (NBPW level) of the former site are comparable with Pd II (post- NBPW level) of the latter. The stratigraphy at HASTINĀPURA is further complicated by two gaps signifying breaks in habitation following Pds II and III and by the ascription of 200 years for the first gap and 100 years for the next. However significant changes in life-style of HASTINĀPURA appear to have taken place at two stages, i.e. *c.* 300 B.C. and *c.* 50 B.C./A.D., which is not noticeable at sites with a continuous occupation.