An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.t2.2

v1.c9.s18.t2.2

In this relatively isolated area inhabited by tribals there emerged a community in the early centuries of the Christian era, with its habitations situated mostly on highlands by the side of a stream or water reservoir. Their date is indicated by the find of Kushan coins at one of these habitations at BELWADAG, Dt Ranchi, and is confirmed by a ¹⁴C date (1970±90 B.P.). One of the settlements, KUNJLA, 4 km to the s.-s.-w. of Khunti, a subdivisional town in Dt Ranchi, was excavated in 1944 (Ghosh, 1948), revealing remains of an unpretentious brick house with several rooms fronted by a veranda. At SARADKEL (*IAR 1964-5*) a fortification wall of well-burnt bricks was an additional feature. The pottery at all these habitation sites is mostly wheel-made, of course fabric, thick section and terracotta red colour and represents the jar, bowl and vase with ledged lid and sprinkler, combined with incised decorated designs, indicating thereby a Kushan complex. Among other finds iron objects of diverse utility and shapes, including arrow-heads, chisels, nails, caltrops, rings, knives, etc., deserve special mention. In fact one of the sites yielded evidence of iron-smelting ovens, suggesting the local manufacture of the objects. Other finds are copper hooks, rods and bangles, beads of chalcedony, agate and carnelian, clay sealings, saddle querns, etc. The full-fledged Iron Age culture seems to be devoid alike of genesis and decay.