An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c34.279

v2.c34.279

Two major Pds of occupation were identified, the earlier, Pd I, of which may be regarded as Chalcolithic [4.14.1] in character on account of the presence of a few microliths along with copper. Within this Pd four structural Sub-pds have been noted, in the earliest of which, at one place, a sizeable complex of mud brick walls (average size of brick 32·5 × 12·5 × 10 cm) is encountered. As far as exposed it covers an area of about 30 × 24 m, there being clear indications that it extended much beyond. The distinguishing feature of this complex is that it consists of about a series of four parallel n.-s. walls, joining at the s. end of an e.-w. wall. This latter wall has two parallel walls to its s., from the s.-most of which again emerge three parallel n.-s. walls. The walls vary in thickness from 75 to 90 cm, while the intermediary space, measuring between 75 cm and 1·05 m, being filled in with sand. The extant height of the complex is about 2 m. There is little doubt that this was a very important structural complex of public utility, though in the absence of a large-scale excavation it has not been possible to determine its exact purpose. All through the Pd the residential houses are also made of mud brick, the walls being plastered with mud, in one case zigzag finger marks being observed on the plaster. Within the houses are noticed circular clay-lined ovens and even open-mouthed *chulhās*. Of further interest is the occurrence in these houses of circular or oblong pits, whose diameters or longer axes range from 90 cm to 1·3 m and average depth is about 60 cm, lined with a 1½ to 3 cm thick layer of white clay mixed with sand. In all probability the pits were used for some kind of storage, though no vestiges of the material stored therein have been found. Reed-impressed clay clods found during the excavation suggest that the house-roofs were flat, made of timber-and-reed plastered over with mud. That these Chalcolithic people were fully familiar with the use of kiln-burnt brick also is attested to by the presence in the s. part of the w. mound of a large wall, excavated up to a length of nearly 11 m, with several cross-walls. The burnt-brick walls have a reddish plaster, about 2·5 cm in thickness, consisting of sand and clay mixed with 15% of lime.