An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c31.168

v2.c31.168

**Daulatpur² (29°57′; 76°56′),** Dt Kurukshetra, on a nullah branching off from the Chitang (Dṛṣadvatī), 15 km e. of Thanesar, with a 6 m high mound, excavated by the Univ. of Kurukshetra during 1968-70 (*IAR 1968-9*, p. 8) and again during 1976-8, on the latter occasion to ascertain if there was an overlap between the late Harappa [4.10] and PGW [4.15] cultures noticed at BHAGWANPURA², only 8 km to its n. It may be at once said that no such overlap has been noticed in the excavated area. The excavation has revealed that the earliest deposit, Pd I, belongs to the late Harappa culture with five structural phases with post-holes, walls of mud brick and ill-fired brick of various sizes (52×36×10 and 42×32×? cm) suggest different types of building activities. Mud corn bins were in use for the purpose of storage. However the most significant discovery of these levels is the existence of walled constructions, round to oval in shape and burnt inside, most probably designed as ovens (*bhaṭṭis*). Their bottoms contain a thin layer of ash and are filled with thrown-off material, including pottery and animal bones, thus precluding their use for any religious activity. The ceramic industry mainly consists of a thick sturdy ware having red to oily surface. The pottery types are a mixed assemblage which includes pre-Harappa [11.2], Harappa [11.3] and Cemetery H types and are on the whole comparable with that of BARA. Incision of various geometrical designs is also a decorative technique in addition to paintings of simple designs in black colour. The other finds include: bangles, a chisel, a fish-hook and a razor-blade of copper; wheeled bird and animal figurines; toy-cart wheels [15.19]; beads, bangles and balls of terracotta; beads; bangles and balls with incised decoration in faience; a few steatite disc beads; bone engravers; shell bangles; and charred grains. Several terracotta circular and triangular cakes [6.27] and grinding and rubbing stones [6.19] have also been found. The charred grains recovered from the site are under study. The discovery of the copper fish-hook [6.6] and bone engravers suggests that hunting and fishing supplemented the food supply of these people. On the basis of pottery and other finds these remains can be bracketed with those of SANGHOL I B, MITATHAL II B, MIRZAPUR, BHAGWANPURA² I A and BANAWALI III.