An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c31.228

v2.c31.228

Three structural Sub-pds are noticed in the earlier part, I A, while the latter part, I B, starting with the bichrome pottery and a degenerate Harappa black-on-red ceramic, has not shown any structural remains. From the very lowest levels the Harappa ceramic showed all the known characteristic forms and painted patterns, although it might be stated that the range of the painted designs is limited. The wavy-painted greenish-grey 'reserved slip' ware, met along with the Harappa at the very lowest level, itself develops into a thicker ware with the wavy paintings now rendered in brownish pigment as well, both on the interior and the exterior of the dish type. Along with the Harappa, thick incised wares as also a coarse grey ware with bluish or reddish-brown horizontal bands rendered in the reserved-slip technique on a matted surface is also noticed. This ware appears to have its analogues at LOTHAL (Phase II) and ROJDI. The beginning of the bichrome ware also marks the first-noted occurrence of the grey-painted black-and-red ware although its incidence is restricted. Plain black-and-red ware was however found in plenty, side by side with the painted variety and the bichrome ware, the chief type in the latter being the bowl with a slightly everted rim and convex profile. The paintings are on the exterior upper part and comprise single motifs repeated or alternating pairs of motifs of series of vertical wavy line, concentric semicircles, vertical slashes, etc., there being no zoned patterns. They have a broad similarity with the late and post-Harappa wares in Saurashtra [11.4], although the typical Lustrous Red Ware [11.9] is absent. The grey-painted black-and-red ware [11.6.2] is comparable with similar painted pottery from AHAR², where it has been dated to around 1500 B.C. Thus we seem to have an approximate age for the inception of the bichrome wares, and therefore of Sub-pd I B, and of the end of the mature Harappa culture. This would go well with the known span of the Harappa culture, notwithstanding the fact that a shorter Harappa chronology is now generally favoured. An interesting diagnostic type occurring in the earliest level and continuing in a modified form into the succeeding stages with a progressively shortening handle is the typical handled saucepan. However only a very few have a circular-sanctioned lug or rod-handle while most of them have a strap-handle form with the top curved for easy grip. The former stud-handle variety is known from LOTHAL and other sites in Gujarat.