An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c39.183

v2.c39.183

*Pd VI, early historical*. This Pd is characterized by an increase in the use of clay vessels and the introduction of the Red Polished Ware. Other ceramic industries include the black-and-red, coarse black, black-slipped, coarse red and tan wares. Of these the coarse black ware seems to have been used primarily for cooking as shapes like the frying-pan and saucer with blackened bottoms indicate. The Red Polished Ware has been extensively found in w. India, invariably associated with either Kṣatrapa or the late Sātavāhana level. It is made of an extremely fine levigated clay and is burnt uniformly to a brick-red colour. In fabric this Ware closely resembles the Roman Samian ware and other red wares of the e. Mediterranean region. Maheshwar shows another technological similarity between the two wares: certain sherds bear unmistakable evidence of having been moulded. The typical shape in this Ware is the sprinkler.