Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c19.s1: History of Excavation

v1.c19.s1.1

The Excavation at Hastināpur determined the chronological position of two ancient ceramics, i.e., ochre-coloured pottery (OCP) and painted grey ware (PGW) as being stratigraphically earlier than the northern black polished (NBP) ware. Unfortunately, however, the settlement at Hastināpur was found abandoned after each period, leaving a considerable hiatus in between. Therefore, the cultural evolution remained blurred. Moreover the excavation at Hastināpur raised several questions, which could be answered only by further digging at a few suitable sites in the Doab or in the surrounding area. Thus, in the course of exploration, Atrañjikhera attracted the attention. Since the mound was quite extensive, it was decided to conduct the excavation in two phases. The results of the first excavation are presented. (Gaur, 1983)