Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c20.s3.t2.2

v1.c20.s3.t2.2

Regarding iron age in north India, one of the most crucial sites is that of Atrañjikhera which we have discussed in chapter 11. The iron-bearing layer, C-14 dated 1155 ± 110 BC (sample TF-191) is associated with the PGW phase which was preceded at Atrañjikhera by OCP phase (up to 1500 BC) and B&RW (black and red ware) phase (1450-1200 BC). The B&RW potteries resembled those of the Ahar and Gilund complexes. It is quite probable that around 1400-1300 BC, a branch of the BRW people left Ahar region, which is not far away, crossed Chambal and settled at Atrañjikhera and then Noh. (Gaur, 1983: 20) The copper-smiths in their group might have stumbled on to the discovery of illdefined wrought iron as indicated by the presence of a few indeterminate objects which have not been so far analysed. In the PGW phase also, fourteen indeterminate objects were obtained along with iron slag pieces and 135 iron objects of 14 varieties. The indeterminate objects could be the results of first few smelting experiments, and if so, the credit for discovering iron at Atrañjikhera area should go to the B&RW people, rather than the PGW culture.