Acknowledgements Illustrations CHAPTER 1 Introduction History of Research, Excavation of Early Historical City-Sites, Discovery of Neolithic-Chalcolithic Levels, Recent Explorations in the Sarayupar Plain, Discovery of Chalcolithic Sites in the Lower Ganga Valley, Theoretical Issues. CHAPTER 2 Geographical Background The Upper Ganga Plain, The Middle Ganga Plain, The Lower Ganga Plain, The Drainage System, Rainfall, Crops, Floods, Changes in the Courses of Rivers, The Ox-Bow Lakes, Pre-Holocene Aridity and Change in the Life-Cycle of the Ganga, Palaeo-environment and Anthropogenic Activity in the Middle Ganga Plain, Palynological Investigations in the Lahuradewa Lak3, Anthropogenic Activity, The Tool Assemblage, Chronology. CHAPTER 3 Epi-Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Cultures Introduction, History of Research, Mesolithic Sites of the Vindhyas and the Ganga Valley, Emerging Picture, Human Burials, The People, Sex and Age Distribution, Aesthetic Sense, Chronology. CHAPTER 4 The Neolithic Interlude Koldihwa, Mahagara, Pachoh8, Tokwa, Jhusi, Hetapatti, Neolithic Sites in the Middle Ganga Valley, The Emerging Picture, Chronology. CHAPTER 5 The Chalcolithic Cultures Sohgaura, Narhan, Bhunadih, Waina, Khairadih, Chirand, Taradih, Senuwar, Champa, Manjhi, Raja Nal Ka Tila, Agiabir, Malhar, Tokwa, Jhusi, Sringaverapura. CHAPTER 6 Material Culture and Social Formations Settlement Pattern, Agriculture and Pastoralism, Neolithic Plant Economy, The Domestication of Animals, The Development of Archaeozoological Studies in India, Pottery, The Emerging Picture, Chalcolithic Metal Technology, Concluding Remarks. Appendix (A-G) Bibliography Author Index Site Index
