Chalcolithic cultures of Central India are adequately investigated and studied: Kishan Reddy

New Delhi, Dec 16, 2021: The Chalcolithic cultures of Central India are adequately investigated and studied.

Much of their aspects are sufficiently researched and analyzed. During last field season 2020-21, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) carried out excavations at two prominent sites of Chalcolithic affiliations in Central India in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

During field season 2021-22, ASI has received proposals for excavations at the sites of Chalcolithic affiliations at Eran, district Sagar and at Tewar, district Jabalpur of Madhya Pradesh.

Status of Archaeological Investigations in Central India

• Excavation at Eran during 2020-21: Eran (ancient Airikina) is situated on the left bank of the Bina (ancient Venva) river and surrounded by it on three sides. Eran is located 75 km north-west from Sagar district headquarter. The recent excavation at this site, during 2020-21, has unearthed a variety of antiquities including a copper coin, an iron arrowhead, terracotta bead, stone beads along with a copper coins, stone celt, beads of steatite and jasper, glass, carnelian, terracotta wheel, animal figurines, miniature pots, iron objects, stone querns, pestles and a red slipped terracotta with inscription in Devnagari. The occurrence of few specimens of plain, thin grey ware is noteworthy.  The use of iron was evidenced by few metallic objects at the site. This excavation at the site also revealed the remains of Chalcolithic culture with four major periods i.e. Period I: Chalcolithic (18^th -7^th BCE), Period II: Early historic (7^th – 2^nd century BCE), Period II B: 2^nd century BCE – 1^st century CE, Period III: 1^st – 6^th century CE and Period IV: late medieval (16^th – 18^th century CE).
• Excavation at Tewar during 2020-21: Tewar (Tripuri) village is located 12 km west of Jabalpur district on Jabalpur – Bhopal highway. The ancient site of Tripuri is situated nearly 2 km south west from Tewar village. During 2020-21 ASI conducted excavation of Tewar at two locations, TWR 1 and TWR 2. This excavation did not reach the natural soil and revealed four folds of cultural sequences i.e. Kushana, Shunga, Satvahana, and Kalachuri. Antiquarian remains in this excavation include viz remains of sculptures, hopscotch, terracotta balls, Iron nails, copper coins, terracotta beads, implements of Iron and terracotta figurine, in ceramics red ware, black ware, red slipped ware with shapes of handi, bowl, spouted pot, small pot, big jar, etc., structural remains consist of brick wall and structure of sandstone columns.

This information is given by the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region Shri G. Kishan Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.