An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c28.95

v2.c28.95

Nine Pds of occupation were identified in AC III, and following the custom then prevalent (at least in India) they were called ‘strata’, their numbering starting from the top to bottom. The strata could be surely dated by the coins they yielded. While Stratum IX, the lowest, was represented only by pits cut into the natural soil, strata VIII and VII, excavated in a limited area, had mud and mud-brick houses; the former had round cast coins with simple symbols and the latter square ones [3.1] with more complex symbols. Strata VI and V, both with scanty remains of baked-brick structures, had in addition to cast coins those of the Pañcāla rulers of the first century B.C. Stratum IV, with blocks of single contiguous chambers of burnt brick, measuring 46×23×5 cm, had Kushan coins and at its later stage imitation Kushan coins. Stratum III had four phases of construction and renovation of a temple complex with the unusual plan of a central square altar within an irregular compound, the w. wall of which had small cells to contain terracotta, deities. The stratum was marked by the first appearance of coins of Acyu, unanimously identified with Acyuta who was defeated and whose territory was annexed by Samudragupta in the first half of the 4th century. Acyu coins continues to occur till the last days of site, perhaps due to the shortage of other coins that could replace them. Stratum II was devoid of and significant structures but had a large number of pits filled with ash and potsherds probably representing potter’s kilns and was without coins (except those of Acyu), but Stratum I had below its walls three hidden hoards of 203 debased Indo-Sassanian coins of Ādivarāha and Vigraha. The houses of this stratum had rooms roughly built of brickbats at the back and a spacious court in front, showing that the city was then sparsely populated and ample open space was available. A feature of the excavated area was the existence of a road consolidated again and again with the rising level from Stratum III down to Stratum VIII.