Iron Age 'habitational sites' found in Vidarbha region

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Hindustan Times, March 1, 2003

 

 

Iron Age 'habitational sites' found in Vidarbha region Sarita Kaushik

Mahurjhari, February 28 <http://www.hindustantimes.com/on/img/0.gif>

Experts say the most enigmatic question about Megalithic cultures has

been the paucity of habitational sites. Though there are around 5,000

Megalithic burial sites in the country, only 40 to 50 dwellings of

this period have been found.

In a significant discovery that could affect the archaeological belief

that Megalithic people were pastoral nomads or semi-settled

agriculturists, the Department of Archaeology, Deccan College, Pune

has found 'habitational sites' of the late Chalcolithic (Copper Stone

Age) and early Megalithic (Iron Age) period here.

 

The Mahurjhari excavation already holds a significant place in

archaeology as the largest bead-manufacturing centre ever known to

belong to the early historic period, but sustained excavations since

as early as 1935 by various archaeological agencies had revealed only

burial sites pertaining to the protohistoric period here.

 

According to experts, the most enigmatic question about Megalithic

cultures is this paucity of habitational sites. Though there are

around 5,000 Megalithic burial sites in the country, only 40 to 50

habitational sites of this period have been found. It is this paucity,

which has prompted several scholars to postulate that Megalithic

people were pastoral nomads who did not settle in one place but only

came back for burials.

 

Dr Ravi K Mohanty, who has been heading this excavation while

revealing the discovery to Hindustan Times, informed that this

hypothesis was now set to change. He said that the present evidence

had been found 'where it was not expected to be.' The newly discovered

habitational site is located some one and half kilometres from the

present-day village and the Megalithic burial excavations. This, he

said, was the reason why it remained elusive despite the long years of

exploration and excavation. Now the same hypothesis of a habitation

being only a little distance away from much-excavated burial sites

could be the new strategy.

 

Head of the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and

Archaeology, Nagpur University, Prof. Chandrashekhar Gupta called the

finding 'fanstastic.' His colleague Dr Ismail Kellellu also lauding

the significance of this Deccan College finding said, ?The site is

just by the side of the road. So far nobody could think of its

presence. It was sheer luck, guided by the physiographical study of

Dr. Mohanty including a site catchment analysis that led to its

discovery. The reasoning is to look for a meandering water source.

Generally speaking, wherever there is a water source, one would come

across such habitation as is true for this newly discovered site as

well. Barely five hundred metres from the habitational site is a small

nullah, which once must have been a perennial one.?

 

Vidarbha has four habitational sites as against 110 burial sites. This

was confusing but the new discovery, Dr. Ismail feels, would

definitely encourage archaeologists for a good topographical study of

site near burials and come across habitation within a radius of five

kilometres.

 

The evidence found at this new discovery includes typical iron-age

pottery in mica red, black on red, black on red painted and thin red.

There is also some evidence of Chalcolithic pottery with stone

implements beside iron and copper objects. Structure with several

floors, storage bins and hearth has sealed the evidence of habitation.

The successive floor levels show continuous sedentary occupation.

There are remains of house walls singed in fire.

 

Bones of domestic animals have also been found. Dr. Thomas, an expert

in the zoo-archaeology, with the excavation team said that there was

evidence that the bones were of animals like sheep, goat, pigs, horse

and cattle. There is also evidence of grains and cereals that is being

further studied by experts. Palaeobotanist of Deccan College, Pune Dr

MD Kajale informed that these include rice, wheat, black gram, green

gram and lentils, among others.