Jignasa Journal Of History Of Ideas And Culture Part 01

Author(s): Vibha Upadhyaya and Others
Publisher: University of Rajasthan

Page 265

Pakkākot: Revealing new Archaeological Dimensions in Mid-Ganga Plain
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227
The uppermost two layers of Mound 2 belong to the Gupta period and also for a few centuries in Post-Gupta times. However, strata belonging to these periods were found highly disturbed in trench nos. XA3 and XC3 on Mound 2. The typical antiquities of this period and characteristic pottery types are the only criteria to establish the nature of cultural deposits of this period. The small finds of this period include human and animal figurines, beads of semi-precious stones and terracotta, seal and sealings, iron and copper objects, terracotta balls, etc.
The site was inhabited during medieval period too as glazed ware potteries were recovered from the surface. Mention may be made of several ponds and wells made of Lakhauri bricks which are still present nearby the Pakkākot mound. The deposits of this period are not available at this site now.
A stone slab with circular top and the head of Siva emerging from it was found from a pit of Period V (PI. 11). The left portion beyond head and the portion below chin are broken off. The right portion of slab is also damaged. The back portion of slab is flat and unadorned.
The god wears circular pearl rings in elongated ear lobes and an elegant jatājūta with circular bun secured by a fillet of which the string bifurcates the hair into two halves on the lower section and ends in a circular amulet in the middle on the forehead. The face of god shows an expression of bliss and repose with closed lips; the drooping eyes have narrow eyelids with marked pupils; the nose is sharply cut; and the third eye is incised with pupil.
Concluding Remarks: The excavations at Pakkākot brought to light following facts :
(i) It was observed that the people of the Neolithic culture were the first to make effective colonization at Pakkākot. Our close observation of the ceramic industries shows striking similarity both in fabric and forms with those recovered from Imlidih Khurd, Waina, Bhunadih, Senuwar, Lahuradewa and Chirand.
(ii) The limited excavation brought to light a five-fold cultural sequence ranging in date from 5th millennium B.C. to 7th century A. D. without any break in between all of them. All the five periods were characterised by their typical ceramic industries and other objects. Continuation of settlement is observed even in the medieval period. It is evidenced by glazed ceramics and ponds and wells made of lakhauri bricks found at the site and nearby areas.
(ii) The beginning of urbanization at Pakkākot is witnessed in Period III B which is marked by the use of NBPW. This phase marks the beginning of city life. The geographical situation of Pakkākot made it possible for its inhabitants to have commercial links with other contemporary towns and cities like Pataliputra, Rajghat and Vaisali. The archaeological evidences show that by the Sunga-Kuşāņa period Pakkākot had developed into a full-fledged urban centre.
(iv) While copper was in use in circa 1900 B.C., the properties of iron as the principal metal of daily use were truly understood by the people around 1300 B.C.
(v) Agriculture was the mainstay of the economy of our area and the concept of cultivating two crops in a year had already come in practice even in the Neolithic period datable to 5000 B.C. Cultivation of rice, wheat, barley, various types of millets, several types of pulses and oil seeds was done in the Neolithic stage.