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Ram Dubey, G.K. Lama and Ashok Kumar Singh. The mound is extended in a wide area, about 2 km square and located on at least four different mounds (1-4) at Pakkākot.
The main objectives and challenges of the excavations were as follows: (i) To know the cultural sequence of all the four mounds. (ii) Trace out the main entrance of the fortified area. (ii) Horizontal excavation to find out structural remains.
(iv) Similarities and dissimilarities with other sites of the mid-Ganga plain in the light of the findings of Pakkākot.
To solve the aforesaid problems we opened 16 trenches in first year's excavation measuring 5 x 5m in different localities of the mounds and 41 trenches in current year's excavation measuring 5m x 5m, 4m x 4m and 3m x 3m on mound nos. 1, 2 and 3.
During our excavations, we noticed the behaviour of the river Tons and found that it has played a vital role in the settlement of inhabitants of Pakkākot in different periods. On account of menace of the river, the inhabitants were forced to settle at the safer places in different periods. It is well proved from the flood deposits in the section of the trenches excavated by us. In the later period the inhabitants made fortification and watch towers for the security purposes.
Cultural Sequence
The excavation revealed the following cultural sequence: Period I : Neolithic (5000-1500 B.C.) Period II : Chalcolithic(1500-900 B.C.) Period III
NBPW (900-200 B.C.) IIIA
(900-500 B.C.) III B
(500-350 B.C.) IIIC
(350-200 B.C.) Period IV : Sunga-Kuşāņa (200 B.C. - 300 A.D.) Period V : Gupta and Post-Gupta (300 A.D. - 700 A.D.)
All the five periods were characterised by their typical ceramic industry and other objects. The features of these periods are described below:
The deposit of Period-I (Neolithic habitation) was found on Mound-1 represented by about 45 cm of cultural deposit in trench nos. 9 and 14 (Fig. 2). This year trench No. 23 measuring 4m x 4m was laid out on this mound (Fig. 3). This period was marked by the ceramics of cord-impressed red ware, rusticated ware and red ware which were made on slow wheel. Some of the potsherds are handmade also. Rice husk is used as degraissant, which is seen both on the surface and in the core of potsherds. The potsherds are generally thick in fabric. The pots of medium quality are also met with. Generally the pots are ill-fired and the clay used in the ceramics is not well levigated. Shapes are also limited in comparison to the overlying Chalcolithic Culture. They include bowls, including pedestalled bowls, medium sized vases, martbans, footed vessels and a few spouted vessels. The inhabitants of
