Preface vii Illustrations xi CHAPTER 1 Introduction 1 History of Research-1, Excavation of Early Historical City-Sites-2, Discovery of Neolithic-Chalcolithic Levels-5, Recent Explorations in the Sarayupar Plain-8, Discovery of Chalcolithic Sites in the Lower Ganga Valley-10, Theoretical Issues-14. CHAPTER 2 Geographical Background 19 The Upper Ganga Plain-20, The Middle Ganga Plain-21, The Lower Ganga Plain-23, The Drainage System-24, Rainfall-28, Crops-28, Floods-29, Changes in the Courses of Rivers-29, The Ox-Bow Lakes-30, Pre-Holocene Aridity and Change in the Life-Cycle of the Ganga-30, Palaeo-environment and Anthropogenic Activity in the Middle Ganga Plain-31, Palynological Investigations in the Lahuradewa Lake-33, Anthropogenic Activity-35, The Tool Assemblage-36, Chronology-36. CHAPTER 3 Epi-Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Cultures 41 Introduction-41, History of Research-42, Mesolithic Sites of the Vindhyas and the Ganga Valley-43, Emerging Picture-56, Human Burials-61, The People-67, Sex and Age Distribution-68, Aesthetic Sense-69, Chronology-69. CHAPTER 4 The Neolithic Interlude 75 Koldihwa-76, Mahagara-77, Pachoh-78, Tokwa-79, Jhusi-80, Hetapatti-81, Neolithic Sites in the Middle Ganga Valley-82, The Emerging Picture-106, Chronology-108. CHAPTER 5 The Chalcolithic Cultures 113 Sohgaura-116, Narhan-117, Bhunadih-132, Waina-132, Khairadih-133, Chirand-134, Taradih-135, Senuwar-136, Champa-143, Manjhi-143, Raja Nal Ka Tila-144, Agiabir-146, Malhar-148, Tokwa-150, Jhusi-151, Sringaverapura-153. CHAPTER 6 Material Culture and Social Formations 157 Settlement Pattern-157, Agriculture and Pastoralism-159, Neolithic Plant Economy-161, The Domestication of Animals-168, The Development of Archaeozoological Studies in India-170, Pottery-173, The Emerging Picture-175, Chalcolithic Metal Technology-177, Concluding Remarks-184. Appendix (A-G) 195 Bibliography 201 Author Index 215 Site Index 219
