[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.t3.43 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.t3.43 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.t3.43 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c9.s18.t3.43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t3.43) Phase II: As elsewhere, the earliest reliable historical relics belong to the Mauryan times by which period the Megalithic culture was perhaps in an advanced stage. Excavations at DHARANIKOTA and the \*stūpa\* site at AMARAVATI provide substantially new evidence. The earliest occupation at the \*stūpa\* site was characterized by the use of iron, Black-and-red Ware and more significantly the NBPW. The earliest inhabitants lived in huts raised on posts, although there is evidence of the use of burnt brick. Of far-reaching importance is the occurrence of the NBPW in large quantities (Sarma, 1974a, 1975) in well-stratified contexts for the first time in peninsular India and that too in levels preceding and contemporary to the foundation of the \*stūpa\*. On the basis of other reliable finds such as inscribed granite uprights and a fragmentary pillar edict of Aśoka, the earliest NBPW horizons admittedly below the \*stūpa\* levels can be assigned to \*c.\* 4th century B.C. The corresponding levels yielding a scatter of the NBPW and Black-and-red Ware at DHARANIKOTA have been dated by ¹⁴C method to 475 ± 100 to 205 ± 100 B.C. The horizons of NBPW in the pre-\*stūpa\* level indicates an early advent of Buddhist missionaries from the n. (Sarma, 1974b). - [Previous: v1.c9.s18.t3.42](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t3.42) - [Next: v1.c9.s18.t3.44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t3.44) - [Up: v1.c9.s18.t3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t3) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t3.43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s18.t3.43) · Pramāṇa