[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.s18.t2 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.t2: 4.18.4 Chota Nagpur region An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.t2 - **Language:** English ### 4.18.4 Chota Nagpur region ### [v1.c9.s18.t2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t2.1) While Chota Nagpur had a flourishing Neolithic culture \[4.6.5\], though no Neolithic habitation site has been located, there is no trace of a well-defined Chalcolithic culture here, which is intriguing, as to its w. the culture is represented at such sites as CHIRAND and SONPUR \[4.14.3\] and its e. flank is studded with Chalcolithic sites \[4.14.4\]. Bar celts of copper closely copying Neolithic celts, unfinished shouldered celts, axe-heads and other objects have no doubt been occasionally and isolatedly found at various places. In the copper belt of Singhbhum there are traces of copper workings where more than one copper vein had been anciently tapped. Old circular ventilation shafts about 1 m in diameter are found along with considerable dump and slag, the evidence of mining continuing e. to Rakha hills (Murray, 1940). An important Chalcolithic element—microliths represented by blades, burins, crescents, triangles of triangular, trapezoid or rhomboid sections—is noticed at various places. Thus, with the principal elements of the Chalcolithic culture present, it is surprising that no regular settlement of the culture has been identified. ### [v1.c9.s18.t2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.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. ### [v1.c9.s18.t2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t2.3) The sites have been named Asura sites (Roy, 1915, pp. 61 ff.), but this is confusing since it has no relation with the local iron-smelting tribe of the same name \[14.4\]. Some of the sites contain cinerary urns, but it is difficult to say whether they belonged to the original settlers or were planted later on. ### [v1.c9.s18.t2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t2.4) Dani, A.H., 1960, \*Prehistory & Protohistory of e. India\*, Calcutta. Ghosh, A., 1948, in \*Handbook of Ind. Science Congress\*, Patna, pp. 31-51 (for Asura sites & Kunjla). Murray, E.F.O., 1940, in \*Jour. Royal Asiatic Soc. Bengal\*, 6, pp. 78-90 (for ancient copper workings). Patil, D.R., 1963, \*Antiquarian Remains in Bihar\*, Patna. Roy, S.C., 1915, in \*Jour. Bihar & Orissa Res. Soc.\*, 1; 1916, in \*ibid.\*, 2; 1920, in \*ibid.\*, 6; 1926, in \*ibid.\*, 12 (for Chota Nagpur antiquities in general).—S.C. RAY ## Linked texts (3) - [Chirand](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.chirand) - [Sonpur](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.sonpur) - [Saradkel](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.saradkel) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t2) · Pramāṇa