An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s6.26

v1.c9.s6.26

From the available evidence we find that the cattle (*Bos indicus*), sheep (*Ovis vignei* Blyth) and goat (*Capra hircus aegagrus* Gmelin) were commonly domesticated both at Kile Gul Mohammad and at the s. Indian sites. Besides, in both the areas bones of the horse tribe (*Equidae*) have been found. In the s. region, they are reported from the Neolithic-Chalcolithic deposits at HALLUR and in Pakistan from the pre-pottery levels at Kile Gul Mohammad (where it is highly probable that the identifiable fragments are those of *Equus hemionus* and not *Equus caballus*). The existence of the buffalo (*Bos bubalus bubalis*) is also attested at MASKI, NAGARJUNAKONDA and KODEKAL and of the spotted deer (*Axis axis*) at NAGARJUNAKONDA. Bones of the cattle, however, formed the large majority (80 to 85% of the collection), indicating that animal husbandry had become the chief source of their economy during that period. Among the cattle in s. India both the short-horned and the long-horned varieties of breed were known. Two more points merit our attention in this respect: (a) the occurrence of charred and split bones is indicative of the use of animal flesh as an item of diet; (b) the anchylosis of the hock joint and the presence of the exostosis on certain parts of the skeleton, as noticed by Alur, shows that the cattle were used for heavy draft or weight-bearing work. It may be recalled that the horse belongs to the category of animals domesticated primarily for transport and labour (Zeuner, 1963). The presence of the ass has already been reported from MASKI and BRAHMAGIRI. This animal must have served as a beast of burden. The pastoral and agricultural character of the economy of these communities is thus clearly indicated. Whether all these animals were locally domesticated from the corresponding wild species in each area or were brought as a ready-made breed, perhaps like the horse, has not been adequately investigated. Besides the assemblage reveals the presence of the dog (*Canis familiaris* L.), pig (*Sus scrofa cristatus* Wagner), fowl (*Gallus* sp.) and ass (*Equus asinus* L.). Among the wild fauna may be mentioned the tortoise, the monitor lizard, the common rat, the hare, three species of the deer, the *sambhar*, the spotted deer and the *barasingha nilgai*, black-duck and gazelle. The presence of so many species of wild animals indicates a mixed economy whereby hunting and trapping supplemented agricultural products as a source of food.