An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.29.1

v1.c9.s18.29.1

Within the early historical period three subperiods may be distinguished on the basis of pottery and other objects: early (600-300 B.C.), middle (300-50 B.C.) and late (50 B.C.-A.D. 300). In the early subperiod the key position is held by the NBPW which appears to have been introduced in the sixth century B.C. at sites like ŚRĀVASTĪ, KAUŚĀMBĪ and RAJGHAT. But at several sites its introduction could have been appreciably later and in any case not earlier than the 4th century B.C. Except for its glossy shining surface and black or steel-blue colour, occasionally with a golden or silvery flourish, the NBPW does not introduce any significant innovation in shapes over the preceding wares such as the PGW, the Black-slipped Ware and black-and-red ware in the w. region and the Black-slipped Ware and painted black-and-red ware in the e. The shapes, nature of clay and firing in the NBPW show a continuity of the earlier tradition. The main shapes in the NBPW are the bowl and dish, but other shapes like the bottle-necked vase, lids and miniature vessel also occur. That the ware was a prized commodity is evident from some specimens showing attempts to repair the broken fragments. A careful examination of the ¹⁴C dates and the archaeological context at sites like ŚRĀVASTĪ, KAUŚĀMBĪ and RAJGHAT shows that the peak period of the occurrence of the ware at sites in e. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is from 550 to 300 B.C., whereafter its manufacture and use become scarce.