An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c29.1066

v2.c29.1066

**Brahmagiri**, Dt Chitradurga, close to Siddapur, each with two Minor Rock-edicts of Aśoka discovered in 1891 and edited and published in 1892 by B.L. Rice, which, besides indicating the s.most extent by the Mauryan empire, indicate that the locality was known as Isila, the headquarters of the *mahāmātras* of Suvarṇagiri. In 1940 M.H. Krishna (*AR Mysore Arch. Dept for 1940*, p. 63), intensively explored the area for the location of Isila and discovered a habitation site on the n. side of the adjacent bouldery granite hill with medieval stone temples, remains of an apsidal brick structure, pottery, beads of terracotta, shell, semiprecious stones and metal, terracotta figurines, numerous megaliths [4.17.8], neoliths [4.6.9], microliths [4.14.8], etc. He also excavated 16 trenches in different parts of the site and recognized five cultural strata: Microlithic; Neolithic; Iron Age; Mauryan; and Cāḷukya-Hoysaḷa. The Microlithic culture was designated by him as ‘Roppa culture’, the trench wherein it was identified being located within the limits of the village Roppa.