An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s6.34

v1.c9.s6.34

4.6.1 *N.-w. region*. The Neolithic culture of the Kashmir valley, represented by BURZAHOM, the type site excavated by the ASI for several seasons (*IAR 1960-1*, p. 11; *1961-2*, p. 17; *1962-3*, p. 9) is different from that of the rest of the country. The culture, according to our present knowledge, spreads between Anantnag and Pampur, where many sites, viz. BEGAGUND, GOFKRAL, HARIPARIGON, JAYADEVI-UDAR, OLCHIBEG, PAMPUR, SOMBUR, THAJIWOR, etc., have come to light. The culture was first recognized at BURZAHOM by the Yale-Cambridge expedition in its limited trial trenches as early as the 30s of this century (De Terra and Paterson, 1939). But regular excavations were taken up by the ASI only in 1959. The culture is divisible into two phases, Early and Late. The Early Phase is represented by dwelling pits, handmade ceramics, viz. coarse grey, different shades of red, drab, buff and brown wares, varieties of bone tools, stone axes, harvesters, etc. The Late Phase, besides continuing certain traits of the Early Phase, is characterized by a change in the residential pattern, introduction of an individualistic ceramic industry in the form of a black burnished ware, distinctive human and intentional animal burials in pits and the occurrence, though sparsely, of metal in its upper levels. Characteristic of the culture is the complete absence of the microlithic industry.