Papers by sudarshan chakradhari
Indian Journal of Archaeology, 2023
The well-known archaeological site of Nindaur (Lat. 25°03'33" N, Long. 83°21'49" E, and Elev. 265... more The well-known archaeological site of Nindaur (Lat. 25°03'33" N, Long. 83°21'49" E, and Elev. 265 ft) is located on the Chakia-Hata-Bhabhua road, about 9 km from Chand in the Kaimur district of Bihar and about 14 km east of the Chakia town of Chandauli district in Uttar Pradesh. It covers an area of approx. 400x500 m with a height of about 15 m from the surface level. The mound of Nindaur is considered to be the largest settlement between the two important Mahajanpadas, Kashi and Pataliputra. A seasonal river named Karath, originates from the Kharaujha Tal, flows at a distance of 500 meters towards the east side of the ancient mound, which would have been a source of water for the people residing or travelling through this part during the ancient times. This small river finally joins river Gohuwanawan near village Ichanv, which further meets the river Durgawati, which joins river Karmanasa, a tributary of river Ganga. Apart from the river, there are several Pokharas (ponds) and wells located nearby which would have been used by the ancient people as source of water in this area. Even in the village of Nindaur, there are more than ten wells. Because of its strategic location near the Kaimur hills and availability of water sources, it plays a vital role in terms of trading centre between Kashi and Pataliputra, Rajgriha and Bodhgaya.
Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, 2023
This research paper deals with the explorations that had been recently carried out at the site of... more This research paper deals with the explorations that had been recently carried out at the site of Ramdihra in Sasaram (Rohtas) District, Bihar. The explorations aimed at understanding the archaeological potential of the site along with tracing out its significance in terms of its lying on the ancient route connecting the Kashi-Pataliputra-Bodhgaya.
Radiocarbon dates from the archaeological site of Sakas, Bihar, India
Radiocarbon, Apr 29, 2024
Dates from recently excavated Gangetic site of Sakas in Bihar, India, place it at ca.1800–1100 BC... more Dates from recently excavated Gangetic site of Sakas in Bihar, India, place it at ca.1800–1100 BC. The ceramic and lithic chronologies have been interpreted as Early Farming, Transitional and Chalcolithic/Developed Farming in date. However, depending on where in the Ganges Plains is studied, the time frame of Early, Developed and Advanced Farming periods varies widely, from 7th millennium to 2nd millennium BC and beyond, making the chronological framing of absolute dates within a regional scheme highly complex. In this paper we report the new radiocarbon results from Sakas and note how while these are critical for cementing the absolute dating of the site, until such time as a more stable periodization linked not only to relative and absolute dates but also human lifeways within the different zones of the Ganges plains is created, there remains difficulties in understanding how Sakas and other sites of similar date fit into the changing social, cultural and economic systems in this region.
Radiocarbon, Apr 29, 2024
Dates from recently excavated Gangetic site of Sakas in Bihar, India, place it at ca.1800–1100 BC... more Dates from recently excavated Gangetic site of Sakas in Bihar, India, place it at ca.1800–1100 BC. The ceramic and lithic chronologies have been interpreted as Early Farming, Transitional and Chalcolithic/Developed Farming in date. However, depending on where in the Ganges Plains is studied, the time frame of Early, Developed and Advanced Farming periods varies widely, from 7th millennium to 2nd millennium BC and beyond, making the chronological framing of absolute dates within a regional scheme highly complex. In this paper we report the new radiocarbon results from Sakas and note how while these are critical for cementing the absolute dating of the site, until such time as a more stable periodization linked not only to relative and absolute dates but also human lifeways within the different zones of the Ganges plains is created, there remains difficulties in understanding how Sakas and other sites of similar date fit into the changing social, cultural and economic systems in this region.
Radiocarbon, 2024
Dates from recently excavated Gangetic site of Sakas in Bihar, India, place it at ca.1800-1100 BC... more Dates from recently excavated Gangetic site of Sakas in Bihar, India, place it at ca.1800-1100 BC. The ceramic and lithic chronologies have been interpreted as Early Farming, Transitional and Chalcolithic/Developed Farming in date. However, depending on where in the Ganges Plains is studied, the time frame of Early, Developed and Advanced Farming periods varies widely, from 7th millennium to 2nd millennium BC and beyond, making the chronological framing of absolute dates within a regional scheme highly complex. In this paper we report the new radiocarbon results from Sakas and note how while these are critical for cementing the absolute dating of the site, until such time as a more stable periodization linked not only to relative and absolute dates but also human lifeways within the different zones of the Ganges plains is created, there remains difficulties in understanding how Sakas and other sites of similar date fit into the changing social, cultural and economic systems in this region.
Delhi, 2022
Rajasthan has been a centre for copper mining and smelting since the prehistoric period. Copper w... more Rajasthan has been a centre for copper mining and smelting since the prehistoric period. Copper was one of the earliest metals used by human beings all over the world. In India, copper ore is found in various parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. The Aravalli hills of Rajasthan are rich in minerals and metals such as copper ores. Several sites have been discovered in this region, around the districts of Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Alwar. The researcher
mainly focused on Shekhawati region of Rajasthan and its adjoining area which is situated in the north Aravalli region. It is because these areas have several ancient mines like khetri, singhana, sunari etc. and evidence of ancient metallurgical activity. Shekhawati is a semi-arid region located in the north-eastern part of Rajasthan. From the administrative and geographical point of view, Shekhawati is limited to Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts only (Agrawal:1978). This was an important ancient mining and metallurgical activity area in different phases of Indian history
Cambridge University Press, 2024
Dates from recently excavated Gangetic site of Sakas in Bihar, India, place it at ca.1800–1100 BC... more Dates from recently excavated Gangetic site of Sakas in Bihar, India, place it at ca.1800–1100 BC. The ceramic
and lithic chronologies have been interpreted as Early Farming, Transitional and Chalcolithic/Developed
Farming in date. However, depending on where in the Ganges Plains is studied, the time frame of Early,
Developed and Advanced Farming periods varies widely, from 7th millennium to 2nd millennium BC and
beyond, making the chronological framing of absolute dates within a regional scheme highly complex. In this
paper we report the new radiocarbon results from Sakas and note how while these are critical for cementing the
absolute dating of the site, until such time as a more stable periodization linked not only to relative and absolute
dates but also human lifeways within the different zones of the Ganges plains is created, there remains difficulties
in understanding how Sakas and other sites of similar date fit into the changing social, cultural and economic
systems in this region.
This preliminary report presents an overview of the survey and excavation work at Lohari Ragho I ... more This preliminary report presents an overview of the survey and excavation work at Lohari Ragho I in 2015 and 2017 that was carried out jointly by the Banaras Hindu University and University of Cambridge under the auspices of the TwoRains project. The site of Lohari Ragho I is situated c.9km to the west of Rakhigarhi, and based on surface collections appears to have been occupied in the Early, Mature and Late Harappan periods, as well as in the Early Historic period. The investigations that have been carried out include detailed surface mapping, systematic surface collection, excavation of vertical soundings and horizontal trenches, local-scale surface and subsurface landscape survey, and large-scale settlement location survey.
Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, 2020
This paper seeks to investigate the ancient settlement pattern and archaeological material cultur... more This paper seeks to investigate the ancient settlement pattern and archaeological material culture to support the oral and literary history and main reasons of disappearance of the sites in Varanasi. On the basis of archaeological records,it has been observed that, Pre-NBPW culture settlement were the earliest (3 %), followed by NBPW (8%), Sunga (11%), Kushana (27 %), Gupta (22%) and Early Medieval (29%). We have continous records of human settlement up to Medieval Period. Most of the sites are situated on the bank of Ganga and Varuna River. It suggests that the disrict was occupied in Pre-NBPW period for a longer span of time. But as observed in other districts, the number and size of Kushana settlement was continued to increase. However Gupta Period settlement records are unsatisfactory and there is much decline in the number of sites in comprison of Kushana period. There is an increase of settlement in early medieval period but it is only the half of Kushana Period settlements. A comparative study of potsherds and antiquities recovered from these sites shows that they may be ascribable from Pre-NBPW to early medieval period. Sites of Ayar, Sarshawa, Harsos, Bahutra, and Zakhini are very rich in the sense of archaeological potential. Horizontal excavations of both the sites may be able to throw light on various aspects and give a new dimension to the archaeology of middle Ganga plain.
Ceramic Tradition of Ganeshwar Jodhpura Complex
University, 2019
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Papers by sudarshan chakradhari
mainly focused on Shekhawati region of Rajasthan and its adjoining area which is situated in the north Aravalli region. It is because these areas have several ancient mines like khetri, singhana, sunari etc. and evidence of ancient metallurgical activity. Shekhawati is a semi-arid region located in the north-eastern part of Rajasthan. From the administrative and geographical point of view, Shekhawati is limited to Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts only (Agrawal:1978). This was an important ancient mining and metallurgical activity area in different phases of Indian history
and lithic chronologies have been interpreted as Early Farming, Transitional and Chalcolithic/Developed
Farming in date. However, depending on where in the Ganges Plains is studied, the time frame of Early,
Developed and Advanced Farming periods varies widely, from 7th millennium to 2nd millennium BC and
beyond, making the chronological framing of absolute dates within a regional scheme highly complex. In this
paper we report the new radiocarbon results from Sakas and note how while these are critical for cementing the
absolute dating of the site, until such time as a more stable periodization linked not only to relative and absolute
dates but also human lifeways within the different zones of the Ganges plains is created, there remains difficulties
in understanding how Sakas and other sites of similar date fit into the changing social, cultural and economic
systems in this region.