Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c15.s3.1

v1.c15.s3.1

The total yield of beads at Ahar was 191, of which 109 were made of terracotta. It is generally found that the beads show a concentration mostly in Phase Ib and Ic whereas none of the sub-phases of Period II shows much use of beads. The bead materials were mainly agate, bone, calcite, carnelian, crystal, faience, glass, jasper, lapis lazuli, schist, shell, steatite and terracotta. Except lapis lazuli, all other rocks are locally available in Rajasthan. In spite of that it is found that the people of proto-historic Ahar seem to show predilection for the use of terracotta. The range of raw materials used and the shapes executed bring out certain characteristic of the bead-making industry in proto-historic Ahar. The selection of material, the method of perforation, the mode of decorating the surface of beads and the exquisite polish in some cases are noteworthy.