Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c10.s2.t1: Lithic Artefacts
Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c10.s2.t1
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Lithic Artefacts
v1.c10.s2.t1.1
Stone artefacts have been recorded from all the occupational Periods I to IV. Amongst them rectangular milling stones, rectangular to oval hard-stones or ground-stones and large trapezoidal holes retouched for hafting are worth noting. The milling stones or saddle querns, sometimes with one raised end, were made from a medium to coarse grain basalt. Hard-stones or pestles were manufactured from a medium to fine grain basaltic pebbles and had grinding scars on one or both surface. Another important type worth mentioning is a large knife-like scraper made of large cortex flakes, which has been found through the entire sequence at Mundigak. These flakes were usually retouched along one edge and were occasionally polished through use.
v1.c10.s2.t1.2
The tools of Period I were still in use in Period II. Flint blades and points were used in Period II for the first time. These blades are large and have triangular and trapezoidal cross-sections. Bifacially flaked lanceolate flint point found in Period II continues throughout the sequence.
v1.c10.s2.t1.3
The main lithic artefacts remained unchanged through different periods. Stones with a long axes groove appeared in phase III and increased in later periods. In phases V and VI microlithic blades were introduced in quantity and then continued through the remaining periods of occupation.
v1.c10.s2.t1.4
Technological activities increased, tanged lozenge shaped point was located along with luxury items e.g., copper pins with flat ends and twisted shafts. Utilitarian objects like small curved knives or sickles and chisels have also been recorded. Besides these, two socketed axes and one adze were the important metal objects. Of the artefacts from Period III which were analysed, only the axes and adze had a composition approaching that usually associated with low grade bronze. These artefacts had a tin content of nearly 5 per cent, the highest recorded at Mundigak. Other artefacts had lower tin content. By Period III, the differential characteristics of various alloying compositions had been clearly understood by the smiths, and metallurgy was led into a new phase of sophistication and specialization.
v1.c10.s2.t1.5
The types of spindle whorls prevalent in Periods I and II were changed in Period III. Conical types are found replaced by disc-shaped whorls, both of terracotta and steatite.