An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c29.77

v2.c29.77

*Food and economy.* The only direct evidence for the reconstruction of the subsistence basis is the animal bones which were found in large quantities. Of the 2266 identified bones 72·29% came from Phase I, 19·06% from Phase II and only 2·65% from Pd II. The following animals are represented: sheep/goat (*Ovis orientalis vignei*/*Capra hircus aegagrus* L.), humped cattle (*Bos indicus* L.), pig (*Sus scrofa cristatus* Wagner), buffalo (*Bubalus bubalis* L.), blackbuck (*Antilope cervicapra* L.), chinkara (*Gazelle gazella* Pallas), chital (*Axis axis* Erxl.), sambar (*Cervus unicolor* Kerr), hare (*Lepus nigricolis*. F. Cuvier), fox (*Vulpes*. sp.) and mongoose (*Herpestes* sp.). In all phases sheep/goat bones account for between 60 and 80% of the bones, and these belong to the domesticated species. The economy of Bagor therefore was based from the outset on a combination of hunting-gathering and stock-raising. In Phase II the appearance of new material traits like copper tools, pottery, stone and bone beads and richly furnished graves as also the decline in the quantity of microliths and animal bones indicate increased economic stability and prosperity, and by inference imply greater reliance on stock-raising. The presence of perforated stones, ethnographically documented for their use as weights of digging sticks, might suggest practice of rudimentary agriculture. The presence of tortoise and fish bones shows the exploitation of aquatic resources as well.