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Papers by Amrita Sarkar
Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, 2024
Prehistoric investigation in the state of Mizoram, India is still in its infancy. Although the st... more Prehistoric investigation in the state of Mizoram, India is still in its infancy. Although the state of Mizoram is well known for its megalithic traditions, there is virtually no site investigated from the point of prehistory. Moreover, Mizoram’s location shows its importance to tracing, cultural,
linguistic, traditional and genetic linkages between east and South East Asia especially with the country of Myanmar. This paper lays down the first attempt to report the presence of Neolithic tools, which are
mostly accidental, solitary findings and understand its nature of development keeping in mind the uniqueness of Northeastern states in India coupled with migration and cultural transmission.
Culture, Traditions and Continuity: Didquisitions in honour of Prof. Vasant Shinde, 2021
Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, 2019
The Ahar-Banas chalcolithic culture complex (c. 3600BCE-1500BCE) is the most famed of the non-Har... more The Ahar-Banas chalcolithic culture complex (c. 3600BCE-1500BCE) is the most famed of the non-Harappan chalcolithic culture of western India and this culture is particularly noted for its incipient urbanisation stage. Two of the majorly excavated chalcolithic sites namely Balathal and Gilund have provided remarkable structural remains including both public and domestic architecture. Present work has focused on micro-level settlement of Balathal and Gilund along with the developmental phases of chalcolithic architecture, functions of the structures, site organisation, management and defence mechanisms, and to understanding the development of structures in the context of adjacent landscape. It also attempts to compare the structire from both the sites and see whether there can be a structural interpretation on a generic basis for Ahar culture sites.
A Short Report on the Preliminary Investigation at the Site of Papamiya Ki Tekdi – a Palaeolithic Site in Chandrapur District, Maharashtra, India, 2019
The site at Papamiya Ki Tekdi lies about 5 km north-east of the District headquarters Chandrapur ... more The site at Papamiya Ki Tekdi lies about 5 km north-east of the District headquarters Chandrapur on Ambe nullah (locally known as Jharpat nullah), the site has been reported by Archaeological Survey of India in 1960s, followed by subsequent explorations and one geo-archaeological excavation also. But unfortunately the site was forgotten by the Archaeological fraternity until recently when it came to light that larger portion of the site has been acquired to build a Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandrapur. Looking at the vulnerability of the site’s existence, the authors felt it important to take up an immediate survey to understand the extension and potentiality of the site for prehistoric studies.
Northwestern India is now emerging as one of those places where the transition(s) from hunting ga... more Northwestern India is now emerging as one of those places where the transition(s) from hunting gathering to farming occurred indigenously, so it is feasible to observe the processual change within the region as a whole. This transformation which represents a profound social change is generally attributed to traditional climate forcing model leading to a collapse of foraging economies. This paper discusses that the origin of agricultural lifestyle in northwestern India did not happen only because of the collapse of the foraging economies due to climatic factor but also because of the resilient cultural system they had.
Megalithic tradition which is a worldwide phenomenon has been practiced by the Mizo society in th... more Megalithic tradition which is a worldwide phenomenon has been practiced by the Mizo society in the North-eastern part of India till recently. Expressions of thoughts and memories were incised on the megaliths. It is a significant feature through which the early history of the Mizo society can be reconstructed. This article tries to highlight the various megaliths found in the villages of Farkawn and Khankawn, their associated folklores and features. It also attempts to draw attention to the fact that besides building megaliths in memory of deceased people it was also a medium for expressing individual human experiences and emotions of the Mizo society.
The Ahar-Banas Cultural Complex (c. 3600-B.C to c.1500 B.C.) is the most famed of the Non-Harappa... more The Ahar-Banas Cultural Complex (c. 3600-B.C to c.1500 B.C.) is the most famed of the Non-Harappan Chalcolithic Cultures of western India and is particularly noted for its ceramic repertoire, domestic and public architecture and use of seals and sealings. Ahar Cultural phase has been reported outside Rajasthan domain in Central India especially in the Chambal valley. At Navdatoli on the Narmada, the elements of the Ahar culture are found mixed with those of the Malwa culture and at Kayatha a distinct phase was noticed characterized by white painted Black and Red ware. This paper review the nature of Ahar materials found in Central India with its regional variations and try to throw some light on this nature of movement.
The Ahar-Banas Cultural Complex (c. 3600 B.C. to c.1500 B.C.) is the most famed of the Non-Harapp... more The Ahar-Banas Cultural Complex (c. 3600 B.C. to c.1500 B.C.) is the most famed of the Non-Harappan Chalcolithic Cultures of western India and is particularly noted for its ceramic repertoire. Ahar Culture has conventionally been characterized as white painted Black and Red as this is a unique feature not found in any other contemporary Chalcolithic Cultures. This particular paper argues on the basis of new research insights that Ahar Culture is not only about white painted Black and Red ware but on the other hand excel in incised pottery which constitutes 65-70% of its ceramic repertoire. In fact Ahar Culture shows a limited preference for painted pottery. This paper also tries to indicate distinct distinguishable features in ceramic morphologies pertaining to different Cultural phases and doing that has been able to build up a seriation by ordering the assemblages of types of pottery on the basis of co-occurrences from two extensively excavated sites viz, Balathal and Gilund.
The macrobotanical remains were recovered from the Early Historic vessel from Gilund, Rajasthan b... more The macrobotanical remains were recovered from the Early Historic vessel from Gilund, Rajasthan by employing dry and wet sieving techniques in the Palaeobotany laboratory. The retrieved archaeobotanical material was in carbonized and semi-carbonized state. It involves cultivated barley grains, a single cut grain of rice and a seeds of weed plant along with a bulk of wood charcoal pieces. These could survive in the carbonized state by being exposed to heat or fire. The impressions of grass leaves were found on well backed brickbats occurred in the vessel. Few molluscan shells were also retrieved during wet sieving.
This paper is a preliminary report of the archaeological investigation conducted in the Ghaggar B... more This paper is a preliminary report of the archaeological investigation conducted in the Ghaggar Basin from March to April 2007. This research mission forms a part of the Indus Project of Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto. his venture aims at various study purposes, such as the holistic understanding of the Harappan culture in the Ghaggar Basin including aspects such as archaeology, geology, climatology and related environmental studies. he work conducted in 2006-2007 consists of exploration along the Ghaggar River in Haryana and Rajasthan in India, and excavations at Girawad, Farmana and Mitathal with different objectives and scales of research. Along with the results of the above work, the general outline of this research project is also mentioned.
Technology forms an important aspect of any culture as it is a gauge for assessing economic and s... more Technology forms an important aspect of any culture as it is a gauge for assessing economic and social developments during the various phases of history. The rate of technological change until the Chalcolithic phase was slow. However, around 6500 years ago during the Chalcolithic period, a
momentous cultural transition began, generating new needs and resources and led to high level of technological development. This paper is a review of both pyro and non‐pyro technologies as is evidenced from different chalcolithic sites throughout India which could help us in reconstructing the scientific knowledge and their practical application by Chalcolithic Cultures.
This paper deals with pottery assemblage from the chalcolithic phase of the site of Gilund in Raj... more This paper deals with pottery assemblage from the chalcolithic phase of the site of Gilund in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. Though pottery from this site has been studied earlier (Shinde et al 2002), however there was no literature available on the ceramic chronology of Gilund with layers ascertained to it. This paper tries to build up a ceramic
chronology in the site in order to indentify different phases in the chalcolithic period and ascertain layers to these phases. It further attempts to put forward certain developmental trends and characteristics of chalcolithic pottery for the site of
Gilund with probable functional interpretations.
This paper deals with pottery assemblages from the chalcolithic sites of Balathal and Gilund of t... more This paper deals with pottery assemblages from the chalcolithic sites of Balathal and Gilund of the Ahar Culture of southeast Rajasthan. The author tries to build up ceramic chronologies for each of these individual sites in order to identify different phases in the chalcolithic period and ascertain layers to these phases. It is done to evaluate whether pottery assemblage do give us much information on history and society of Ahar people. It further integrates data from these two major excavated sites and attempts to provide certain developmental trends and characteristics of chalcolithic pottery of the specific prehistoric “culture region”, once the type site (Ahar) has been established and culture region has been defined (Ahar/Banas/Mewar/southeast Rajasthan).
By an interesting coincidence the village of Gilund in Rajasthan, north-west India was host to an... more By an interesting coincidence the village of
Gilund in Rajasthan, north-west India was
host to an important Chalcolithic settlement
of the early third millennium BC and to some
of the last indigenous potters still working
in the twenty-first century AD. The author
shows how her study of the prehistoric potters
was enhanced by what she learnt from their
modern successors, pointing out that she
was only just in time. These potters will
be the last to practice and in this respect
ethnoarchaeology is itself under threat.
Book Reviews by Amrita Sarkar
Lewis R Binford is an American archaeologist known for the initiation of what came to be known as... more Lewis R Binford is an American archaeologist known for the initiation of what came to be known as 'New Archaeology'. New Archaeology brought in a paradigm shift with the application of quantitative methods and the practice of archaeology as a rigorous science. This book is a collation of thirty seven lectures delivered by Lewis Binford in 1982 as a series of lectures entitled as 'Strategies of Archaeology'. This book provides a refreshing approach that gives us an insight of the unique pedagogical approach of Binford.
Books by Amrita Sarkar
Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute, 2022
This monograph offers a comprehensive and detailed study of Indian Neolithization. It represents ... more This monograph offers a comprehensive and detailed study of Indian Neolithization. It represents different archaeological traditions and perspective of Indian neolithic cultures including current debates. Is also explores the significance of environmental factors and the evidence presented in this book reflects the strength and diversity across India. The book has been written to facilitate students of archaeology and history and also to laymen who are interested to know the origin and early history of agriculture and domestication in India.
In this book an attempt has been made to explore the possibility of reconstructing various aspec... more In this book an attempt has been made to explore the possibility of reconstructing various aspects of Chalcolithic technologies of South Asia. In order to reconstruct that, the archaeological evidences related to craft and manufacturing and the ethnographic data of the modern communities have been considered.
Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, 2024
Prehistoric investigation in the state of Mizoram, India is still in its infancy. Although the st... more Prehistoric investigation in the state of Mizoram, India is still in its infancy. Although the state of Mizoram is well known for its megalithic traditions, there is virtually no site investigated from the point of prehistory. Moreover, Mizoram’s location shows its importance to tracing, cultural,
linguistic, traditional and genetic linkages between east and South East Asia especially with the country of Myanmar. This paper lays down the first attempt to report the presence of Neolithic tools, which are
mostly accidental, solitary findings and understand its nature of development keeping in mind the uniqueness of Northeastern states in India coupled with migration and cultural transmission.
Culture, Traditions and Continuity: Didquisitions in honour of Prof. Vasant Shinde, 2021
Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, 2019
The Ahar-Banas chalcolithic culture complex (c. 3600BCE-1500BCE) is the most famed of the non-Har... more The Ahar-Banas chalcolithic culture complex (c. 3600BCE-1500BCE) is the most famed of the non-Harappan chalcolithic culture of western India and this culture is particularly noted for its incipient urbanisation stage. Two of the majorly excavated chalcolithic sites namely Balathal and Gilund have provided remarkable structural remains including both public and domestic architecture. Present work has focused on micro-level settlement of Balathal and Gilund along with the developmental phases of chalcolithic architecture, functions of the structures, site organisation, management and defence mechanisms, and to understanding the development of structures in the context of adjacent landscape. It also attempts to compare the structire from both the sites and see whether there can be a structural interpretation on a generic basis for Ahar culture sites.
A Short Report on the Preliminary Investigation at the Site of Papamiya Ki Tekdi – a Palaeolithic Site in Chandrapur District, Maharashtra, India, 2019
The site at Papamiya Ki Tekdi lies about 5 km north-east of the District headquarters Chandrapur ... more The site at Papamiya Ki Tekdi lies about 5 km north-east of the District headquarters Chandrapur on Ambe nullah (locally known as Jharpat nullah), the site has been reported by Archaeological Survey of India in 1960s, followed by subsequent explorations and one geo-archaeological excavation also. But unfortunately the site was forgotten by the Archaeological fraternity until recently when it came to light that larger portion of the site has been acquired to build a Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandrapur. Looking at the vulnerability of the site’s existence, the authors felt it important to take up an immediate survey to understand the extension and potentiality of the site for prehistoric studies.
Northwestern India is now emerging as one of those places where the transition(s) from hunting ga... more Northwestern India is now emerging as one of those places where the transition(s) from hunting gathering to farming occurred indigenously, so it is feasible to observe the processual change within the region as a whole. This transformation which represents a profound social change is generally attributed to traditional climate forcing model leading to a collapse of foraging economies. This paper discusses that the origin of agricultural lifestyle in northwestern India did not happen only because of the collapse of the foraging economies due to climatic factor but also because of the resilient cultural system they had.
Megalithic tradition which is a worldwide phenomenon has been practiced by the Mizo society in th... more Megalithic tradition which is a worldwide phenomenon has been practiced by the Mizo society in the North-eastern part of India till recently. Expressions of thoughts and memories were incised on the megaliths. It is a significant feature through which the early history of the Mizo society can be reconstructed. This article tries to highlight the various megaliths found in the villages of Farkawn and Khankawn, their associated folklores and features. It also attempts to draw attention to the fact that besides building megaliths in memory of deceased people it was also a medium for expressing individual human experiences and emotions of the Mizo society.
The Ahar-Banas Cultural Complex (c. 3600-B.C to c.1500 B.C.) is the most famed of the Non-Harappa... more The Ahar-Banas Cultural Complex (c. 3600-B.C to c.1500 B.C.) is the most famed of the Non-Harappan Chalcolithic Cultures of western India and is particularly noted for its ceramic repertoire, domestic and public architecture and use of seals and sealings. Ahar Cultural phase has been reported outside Rajasthan domain in Central India especially in the Chambal valley. At Navdatoli on the Narmada, the elements of the Ahar culture are found mixed with those of the Malwa culture and at Kayatha a distinct phase was noticed characterized by white painted Black and Red ware. This paper review the nature of Ahar materials found in Central India with its regional variations and try to throw some light on this nature of movement.
The Ahar-Banas Cultural Complex (c. 3600 B.C. to c.1500 B.C.) is the most famed of the Non-Harapp... more The Ahar-Banas Cultural Complex (c. 3600 B.C. to c.1500 B.C.) is the most famed of the Non-Harappan Chalcolithic Cultures of western India and is particularly noted for its ceramic repertoire. Ahar Culture has conventionally been characterized as white painted Black and Red as this is a unique feature not found in any other contemporary Chalcolithic Cultures. This particular paper argues on the basis of new research insights that Ahar Culture is not only about white painted Black and Red ware but on the other hand excel in incised pottery which constitutes 65-70% of its ceramic repertoire. In fact Ahar Culture shows a limited preference for painted pottery. This paper also tries to indicate distinct distinguishable features in ceramic morphologies pertaining to different Cultural phases and doing that has been able to build up a seriation by ordering the assemblages of types of pottery on the basis of co-occurrences from two extensively excavated sites viz, Balathal and Gilund.
The macrobotanical remains were recovered from the Early Historic vessel from Gilund, Rajasthan b... more The macrobotanical remains were recovered from the Early Historic vessel from Gilund, Rajasthan by employing dry and wet sieving techniques in the Palaeobotany laboratory. The retrieved archaeobotanical material was in carbonized and semi-carbonized state. It involves cultivated barley grains, a single cut grain of rice and a seeds of weed plant along with a bulk of wood charcoal pieces. These could survive in the carbonized state by being exposed to heat or fire. The impressions of grass leaves were found on well backed brickbats occurred in the vessel. Few molluscan shells were also retrieved during wet sieving.
This paper is a preliminary report of the archaeological investigation conducted in the Ghaggar B... more This paper is a preliminary report of the archaeological investigation conducted in the Ghaggar Basin from March to April 2007. This research mission forms a part of the Indus Project of Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto. his venture aims at various study purposes, such as the holistic understanding of the Harappan culture in the Ghaggar Basin including aspects such as archaeology, geology, climatology and related environmental studies. he work conducted in 2006-2007 consists of exploration along the Ghaggar River in Haryana and Rajasthan in India, and excavations at Girawad, Farmana and Mitathal with different objectives and scales of research. Along with the results of the above work, the general outline of this research project is also mentioned.
Technology forms an important aspect of any culture as it is a gauge for assessing economic and s... more Technology forms an important aspect of any culture as it is a gauge for assessing economic and social developments during the various phases of history. The rate of technological change until the Chalcolithic phase was slow. However, around 6500 years ago during the Chalcolithic period, a
momentous cultural transition began, generating new needs and resources and led to high level of technological development. This paper is a review of both pyro and non‐pyro technologies as is evidenced from different chalcolithic sites throughout India which could help us in reconstructing the scientific knowledge and their practical application by Chalcolithic Cultures.
This paper deals with pottery assemblage from the chalcolithic phase of the site of Gilund in Raj... more This paper deals with pottery assemblage from the chalcolithic phase of the site of Gilund in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. Though pottery from this site has been studied earlier (Shinde et al 2002), however there was no literature available on the ceramic chronology of Gilund with layers ascertained to it. This paper tries to build up a ceramic
chronology in the site in order to indentify different phases in the chalcolithic period and ascertain layers to these phases. It further attempts to put forward certain developmental trends and characteristics of chalcolithic pottery for the site of
Gilund with probable functional interpretations.
This paper deals with pottery assemblages from the chalcolithic sites of Balathal and Gilund of t... more This paper deals with pottery assemblages from the chalcolithic sites of Balathal and Gilund of the Ahar Culture of southeast Rajasthan. The author tries to build up ceramic chronologies for each of these individual sites in order to identify different phases in the chalcolithic period and ascertain layers to these phases. It is done to evaluate whether pottery assemblage do give us much information on history and society of Ahar people. It further integrates data from these two major excavated sites and attempts to provide certain developmental trends and characteristics of chalcolithic pottery of the specific prehistoric “culture region”, once the type site (Ahar) has been established and culture region has been defined (Ahar/Banas/Mewar/southeast Rajasthan).
By an interesting coincidence the village of Gilund in Rajasthan, north-west India was host to an... more By an interesting coincidence the village of
Gilund in Rajasthan, north-west India was
host to an important Chalcolithic settlement
of the early third millennium BC and to some
of the last indigenous potters still working
in the twenty-first century AD. The author
shows how her study of the prehistoric potters
was enhanced by what she learnt from their
modern successors, pointing out that she
was only just in time. These potters will
be the last to practice and in this respect
ethnoarchaeology is itself under threat.
Lewis R Binford is an American archaeologist known for the initiation of what came to be known as... more Lewis R Binford is an American archaeologist known for the initiation of what came to be known as 'New Archaeology'. New Archaeology brought in a paradigm shift with the application of quantitative methods and the practice of archaeology as a rigorous science. This book is a collation of thirty seven lectures delivered by Lewis Binford in 1982 as a series of lectures entitled as 'Strategies of Archaeology'. This book provides a refreshing approach that gives us an insight of the unique pedagogical approach of Binford.
Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute, 2022
This monograph offers a comprehensive and detailed study of Indian Neolithization. It represents ... more This monograph offers a comprehensive and detailed study of Indian Neolithization. It represents different archaeological traditions and perspective of Indian neolithic cultures including current debates. Is also explores the significance of environmental factors and the evidence presented in this book reflects the strength and diversity across India. The book has been written to facilitate students of archaeology and history and also to laymen who are interested to know the origin and early history of agriculture and domestication in India.
In this book an attempt has been made to explore the possibility of reconstructing various aspec... more In this book an attempt has been made to explore the possibility of reconstructing various aspects of Chalcolithic technologies of South Asia. In order to reconstruct that, the archaeological evidences related to craft and manufacturing and the ethnographic data of the modern communities have been considered.