An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c39.717

v2.c39.717

**Mirzapur³**(29°58'; 76°49'), Dt Kurukshetra, with a low small mound about 200 m to the e. of RAJA KARNA KA QILA, excavated by the Kurukshetra Univ. on a small scale from 1972 to 1976. The earliest habitation, 1 to 1·50 m in thickness belongs to the late phase of the Harappa culture [4.10] and is characterized by mud brick structures of three phases. Evidence of a fireplace, a refuse pit, an oven and a corn bin has been found inside a room. The other finds include: a large number and variety of beads in semiprecious stones, such as agate, crystal, jasper and carnelian and a few steatite disc beads; terracotta bangles, beads, discs, marbles, toy cart frames [16.17] (very rare), toy cart wheels [6.19], cakes, both circular and triangular [6.27], plain as well as painted bull figurines and a painted curved figure, probably of a snake; faïence bangles, balls with incised decoration, beads and a beautiful figurine of stag with a horizontal hole, probably used as an amulet; and copper objects including a complete spearhead without mid-rib, chisels, bangles, needles and a fragmentary object probably representing a *paraśu*; and stone hones [16.2], querns and pestles [6.19]. The pottery is represented by a sturdy red ware painted in light-black colour with geometric and linear designs and plant, fish and bird motifs. The painted designs and shapes are very similar to those from BARA, SANGHOL, CHANDIGARH, MITATHAL II B, DAULATPUR and BHAGWANPURA². A few sherds bear incised decoration on the interior comparable with that occurring on the pre-Harappa pottery of KALIBANGAN I. Classical mature Harappa shapes [11.6.1] such as the perforated jar and beaker are totally absent. The goblet too seems to be very rare.