Ancient , 15, 2018-19: 115-133

ABRO, T.A.• , VEESAR G.M. •• & CHANDIO M.A. •••

INNOVATIVE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS ALONG WEST OF INDUS RIVER AND EASTERN KHIRTHAR PIEDMONT

ABSTRACT – The eastern piedmonts of Khirthar Hills carry specific significance in the matter of human presence since the times of first human revolution in which domestication of both animals and plants happened and later-on intensified. Though it happened in Mesopotamian civilization but the similarity can be perceived here in the Indus Valley as well.

The region under investigation was first looked by Frere in 1853 and after a sequence of visits was carried by number of archeologists to examine the region but being very tough terrain numerous localities remained unexplored and left several unresolved enigmas. Thus, the present research consist a physical data set from at least 32 sites associated with different phase are discovered and added for more information for making a step forward for understanding of the enigma(s). The attempt specifically focuses on the distribution of archeological sites in hilly environs, lake environs and plain regions for interpretation, analysis and understanding of the cultural change and development.

The analytical paradigms utilized in broader spectrum such as geomorphologic; site catchment; and site variation for inter and intra site analysis of cultural aspects of development and change within research region.

INTRODUCTION

After earlier phase of research since 1853 till 1981; no any work was carried till the recent research which was launched within and Kambar-Shahdad Kot districts of Sindh (Fig.#1). The search base remained accessible geography and water sources of the region like alluvial Plains, Hilly Piedmont, Palaeo-river channels, rain fed rivulets, and lakes.

The research carried till this time has showed that it has remain the abode of early cultures having ancient connecting routes between Central Asia, to South Asia for best interaction system which was evidently seen during Indus Urban phase.

Especially the region of district Kambar-Shahdad Kot furnishes fresh evidences of initial cultural stages in which pottery was handmade having chaff tempered as of the beginnings also reported from Quetta as Buff Ware, Cholistan and Thar as Hakra ware. The pottery continued with the development of wheel as seen in the Nal, Amrian, Kot Dijian, Indus period and onward cultures.

• Assistant Professor, Department of , Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur •• Professor, Department of Archaeology , Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur ••• PhD, Research Scholar, Department of Archaeology , Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur

115 Observing the actual archeological sites, it was perceived that there were four aspects of settlements from cultural sequencing points of view. The first aspect of sites is having single phase cultural material deposition called as Hakra (Neolithic age). After close examination of data; a distinct pottery group having Chaff temper was separate out based on the variation in the object manufacturing and the settlement occupancy. For instance, the settlement named as Bahawal Shah2 has variation in the manufacturing of clay objects mainly the pottery as it was collected was chaff tempered. Similarly, the settlement named as Toopi, Mugli, Karo Kotero contains surface scatter of only handmade pottery having solid clay bits included when pots were made indicating as continued occupation after this Neolithic age of Hakra.

Fig. # 1: Map of the research area.

Observing the communities of other regions around the Indus valley; it was clearly evident that the pottery contained similar characteristics of the Chaff Temper and

116 were found at of Pakistan, Tepe Guram and Tepe Sarab in western Iran (Baridwood 9161-62), Zagross Mountain, Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan.

The Second settlement aspect observed during survey of research area (Fig.#2); the other important settlements found were associated with Kot Dijian and Nal cultural traditions. Till today research in Indus valley has showed that the Kot Dijian culture had a very wide distribution in Eastern Sindh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Gomal, Tochi and Taxila valley but very meager evidences was found in Western Sindh. Only two sites were mentioned by Louis Flam namely Rajo Dero and Kohtrash with the presence of Kot Dijian (Flam 1981). The identity of this phase is attested or confirmed on the basis of characteristics like pots having short rim with black bands around the neck and fish-scale painting motif seen as very common features of the Kot Dijian culture. Some sherds having these characteristics are found from at least three sites namely Topi, Mugli, Karonhar-Jo-Daro and Kotero. All three sites are located in the hilly piedmont of Khirthar ranges and Indus plains ecosystem. These settlements are huge mounded sites.

The other remarkable discovery from this region was the presence of a Nal cultural tradition of Baluchistan. This Phase is identified on the basis of pottery which is very finely painted, it includes geometrical, faunal and floral elements inserted into panel-like structures or continuous friezes, usually painted on the upper walls of the vessels. Furthermore, the loops, multiple crosses, stepped motifs and concentric circles are among the characteristic geometric elements of the figurative representations, often displayed in intricate combinations, enriched by special applications like bosses or ‘knob’. Pipal leave, birds, fish and especially hybrid animals constitute the remarkable repertoire of vegetal and faunal decorative motifs. The distribution of Nal cultural tradition in Baluchistan is mostly seen in Khuzdar, Kolwa, Las Bela and Khirthar regions. The presence of this tradition is also recorded in other distant regions, such as Eastern Iran or the southern parts of Afghanistan (Ute Franke-Vogt 2003/4: 87).

The present archaeological investigations along west of Indus River and eastern piedmont of Khirthar Hills covering Larkana and Kambar-Shahdad Kot Districts of Sindh has furnished evidences of both the Kot Dijian and Nal culture. The Early, Mature and Late Indus period were already discovered in this region and the authors has brought to light few more sites adding to the previous sites of the Early, Mature and Post Indus period. There was a chronological gap after the decline of Indus which archaeologists due to lack of proper investigations and research were unable to complete the cultural sequence, but now with recent research in this region, the earlier cultural traditions Amri, Nal, Kot Dijian are distinct and found in this region.

117 The third settlement aspect carried only one settlement named as Karonher jo Dar where from both the Kot Dijian and Indus period (2800-1900 BC) objects are collected.

The regions showed a continued occupation having fourth very distinct settlement aspect classified as Black & Red Ware and Grey Ware traditions of Post Indus period dated as 1500 BCE. Out of all documented settlements, a total of 25 sites are classified and associated with Black and Red Ware in the research area. This tradition is classified on the basis of firing technique in which pottery was baked burnt with longer flame the surface of black and Red ware is rubbed with smooth tool for shiny and glazed surface. Texture of pottery is very thin not thick then 1.5cms. Especially Black pottery is well fired with high temperature for Black polish it becomes Black and hard similar to stone ware bangles. These distinct wares were recognizable with and without slip; Black Ware and Red ware mostly of well burnt fabrics often with polished surface, the common shapes being the dish, bowls and featureless rim and curved sides. This particular Ware has a distinct identity of its own and is found at number of sites which has all the similar characteristics of the Black & Red Ware Pottery found in northern and central India following Late Indus Phase. These archaeological documentations provided best temporal view of the presence of Indus Valley people in the region.

Fig.# 2: Nal/Amri, Hakra & Kot Dijian sites in Indus Valley

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Fig.# 3: The distribution of Black & Red Ware culture in Indus and Ganga Valley including new discoveries

BACKGROUND STUDIES

After searching literature about the human occupancy of this region; the archaeologists also confronted rich cultural profile that belongs to Indus Valley Civilization. The first account was provided by Frere (1853); who reported the Remnants of an Ancient Civilization in the region. His report, being one of the earliest ones, gives valuable information in the form of a more pristine account of the sites.

K.N. Dikshit also in mid-1920 resumed further quick exploration. His work gained importance because it indicated the potential of region and attracted others as H.T. Lambrick (1927-1946) carried subsequent archaeological research in western Sindh and documented nine new sites in the Khirthar and Kohistan regions.

Majumdar (1934, 132-35), in Kohistan, the site of Kohtrash was reported. Krishna Deva and McCown 1949 reported the site of Rajo Dero in the Khirthar Mountains piedmont zone near the Gaj Nai . More recent research at Kohtrash; Louis flam 1981 relocated the site of Rajo Dero through the Sindh Archaeological Project and observed that the site was covered with Kot Dijian Pottery and with a few Amri-affiliated sherds, and some wares from Baluchistan assemblages. It was concluded that many sites in the Khirthar Mountains and Sindh Kohistan areas have a few potsherds of Kot Dijian

119 types on their surfaces, but the assemblages are dominated by Amri and Baluchistan type pottery groups.

Looking the other region of the Sindh; the early decades of the 20th Century saw an influx of archaeologists and explorers. R.D. Banerji looking for Buddhist period sites stumbled at Mohenjo Daro and exposed the metropolitan site of Mohenjo Daro (Banerji, 1922-23). In 1927, Nani Gopal began a series of Archaeological explorations and excavations in Sindh that uncovered several archaeological sites in the western Sindh (Majumdar, 1934).

The Pakistani scholars also explore western Sindh and provided strong cultural purview were such as T. Sahrai, (1980), Ashtaque Ansari, (1990), Kaleem Lashari, (1990), Hakim Ali Shah Bukhari, (1993), Badar Abro, (1993) documented sites without creating any cultural sequence, however, most recently Tasleem Abro, (2019) added 32 settlement in this inventory. This very strong and illustrative preview of the region the present authors had archaeological venture and documented a total of 32 sites associated with various periods which had certainly added new informative chapters to the cultural of the region. These 32 sites have furnished evidence chronologically from Neolithic to 5th Century BC.

Fig.# 4: The recent induction of 32 sites of various periods

Present Archaeological Investigations

It is obvious that the tough terrain of piedmont of Khirthar ranges and adjacent western sides of the Indus River plain and at least 32 settlements were documented and it was noticed that the region was intensively occupied since longtime means at least from

120 5000 BCE which is Neolithic age and startup of exclusive technologies i.e. the pottery. The intensive surface analysis revealed presence of chaff tempered pottery which indicates the first experimentation of making pots through rough pottery in which the craftsman learnt about the proper use of fire and response of clay. This technique continued and was refined as some strong bits of clay were included while preparing the given pot and is commonly discovered from majority of sites throughout Indus Valley; scholars/archaeologists have called it as the Hakra ware dated as 3500-3100BC. After which rotating device known as potter’s wheel and well processed clay was used for making the pots which continued till today.

The most significant part of terracotta pot making behavior has become the best qualifier for chronology and cultural change and development. It is noticed that chaff tempered ware of 5000 BCE was the earliest tradition of pot making of the region under investigation and was contemporary of several communities living in other part of the world.

This discovery of earliest tradition of pot making suggests that people utilized first Piedmont and Lake Ecosystem simultaneously but the permanent residence was built within the lake environment (mention name of Site). Although the nomadic activity was also continued only one site namely Karo Kot where Hakra pottery was encountered that shows nomadic people were occupied this spot.

The settlements are of permanent nature in which the apparent positions of the sites are mounded with heavy presence of the cultural objects. Each settlement was occupied during various periods (table) which provided a complete cultural development sequence starting from Hakra period (graph) that how many actual deposition phases were present. It was noticed that some sites has a singly phase cultural objects (see table and graph) During the field survey, the it was attested that due to mega developmental projects like opening of RBOD canal brought some changes and amendments in the surface as settlement(s) are submerged under water for instance Bahawal Shah-2.

Fig.# 5: Graph showing the actual deposition phases within research region.

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The most distinct settlements with huge cultural deposition and prominent nature are described hereafter.

BAHAWAL SHAH-2

The site is located south of Bahawal Shah-1at 27°.24′.43″ North degrees Latitude and 67°.39′.57″ East degrees Longitude and now is entirely submerged under water where the pottery is visible showing thick concentration. A boat was used for the survey. The cultural material was spreading the almost one meter and somewhere even deeper beneath the water in a large area. It was difficult to collect artifacts in shallow waters. However, the collected material mainly pottery comprised of only plain chaff tempered pottery and have been associated with Neolithic period.

KARO KOTERO

The site is located at 27°.21′.30″ North degrees Longitude, 67°.30′.53″ East degrees Latitude, it is situated in south not far of a rivulet; there is a circular chamber entirely made of stone blocks measuring 8 meters in diameter having the 1.5 meters wall thickness. A thin concentration of a rough handmade pottery was observed scattered around the structure. Surveying 500 meters in east direction of that structure a huge quantity of handmade thick texture in both form as totally plain and others having appliqué designs pottery was documented. This type of pottery is associated with Hakra ware.

KARONHAR-JO-DARO

The site is located at 27°.30′.25″ North degrees Latitude and 67°.41′.59″ East degrees Longitude north of village Karonhar, and West of Khirthar hills in the plains. The site is about 12 meters high from the surrounding plains. The surface analysis of the site proved that it is culturally rich with remains of the Kot Dijian and Indus period cultural traditions. The cultural material found were semi-precious beads of carnelian, agate and lapis lazuli along with terracotta cake, terracotta bangles, terracotta beads and shell bangles, terracotta Cake and the perforated pottery. Burnt bricks were scattered on the entire surface of the site proving the permanent architecture and on the northern side of the mound a wall was visible with east-west orientation having the 2.80 meters length. The size of the bricks was 28x14x6cms. Cultural repertoire from Karonhar-Jo-Daro showed presence of several phases like Kot Dijian, Indus urban phase through buff Ware pottery of Baluchistan and the grey ware pottery.

TOOPI

A Rain feed rivulet is flow down from the Khirthar hills, in Northwest to Southeast directions. The site is located at 27°.35′.14″ North degrees Longitude, 67°.52′.57″ East degrees Latitude on the left edge of this rivulet. Now-a-days there is thick vegetation in the bed of rivulet channel. The nature of site of the Toopi hill is in conical shape where the pottery is scattered is on the top and on the slopes as well. The pottery

122 varieties include few sherds having Carinated on the shoulders. Few sherds have been observed in which local clay was used for manufacturing of pottery with lime bits visible in the section of pottery some sherds have cloth impression on the inner side. The plain and painted pottery having cultural affiliations with buff and wet pottery ware with Quetta Ware; Grey Ware having similarities with Faiz Muhammad Grey Ware; Red color pottery with short rim pottery is commonly found alongside Indus period. Chronologically, the Cultural associations is seen with Hakra period, Quetta wet ware, Faiz Muhammad Grey Ware, Amrian, Nal, Kot Dijian and Mature Indus pottery. This is long chronological sequence with multiple cultures; thus, the sub-surface analysis of the settlement is highly needed.

MUGLI

The site is located at 27°.32′.34″ North degrees Latitude, 67°.32′.49″ East degrees Longitude, at the edge of right bank of a rivulet coming from hills of Khirthar. Now-a-days there is thick vegetation in the bed of the channel. The nature of site where the pottery is scattered in flat slope and top of hill, from the surface of site Hakra period pottery, Buff/Wet Ware, Grey Ware, Amrian, Kot Dijian and Indus period pottery has been observed.

KOTERO

The site is located at 27°.22′.10″ North degrees Longitude, 67°.24′.46″ East degrees Latitude, to the east of a rivulet flowing from Khirthar Mountains to Hamal Lake. The surface indication has furnished evidence of a stone building measuring 4.5 meters with small corridors and the site is culturally very rich, where Hakra, Nal, Faiz Muhammad Grey ware, Amrian and Kot Dijian pottery is encountered. This site furnishes evidence of the presence of eastern and western cultural traditions and is an amalgam of Balochi and eastern Sindh cultural traditions.

BADAM-JO-DARO

Badam-Jo-Daro is located at 27°.27′.24″ North degrees Latitude and 67°.38′.51″ East degrees Longitude. It is a mound submerged under water only its top part is visible above water. It is spread in nearly 15 Acres, there is evidence of a structure made of cut bricks and there was evidence of a kiln for baking bricks. The site is divided into two mounds, as per local version these were two settlements one named Badam and other Punro, as oral tradition explain that both were brothers. On one edge of the mound there is a grave of Pir Qasim where people come for offering and blessings.

Cultural repertoire from Badam-Jo-Daro comprises of black ware and red ware along with the presence of some Indus period terracotta cakes and red ware with incised designs. The Red & Black Ware have almost same texture with minor variations found in Gujarat & Rajasthan, even the dia of rim is 10cms to 11cms and body or base is 0.4cms in thickness similar to Indian Black & Red ware (Mishra,- 2012). On the site a portion of

123 site was cut due to erosion of water and in section the Indus period artifacts were visible. Additionally, the copper pieces and shell bangles were collected from surface of the site.

CHANARAN-JO-MUQAM

The site is located 1½ kilometers north of modern town Nasirabad, on the right side of Indus Highway at 27°.24′.00″ North degrees Latitude and 67°.55′.15″ East degrees Longitude. The mound rise nearly 10 meters from the surrounding plain, presently most of the portions of the site is occupied by modern Grave Yard. From this site number of artifacts were collected such as shell bangles, the raw complete shells indicating the Bangles were manufactured at the site. and additionally, the plain, painted and grey ware pottery were recorded belonging to Late Indus Period.

DANDHERAY-JO-DARO

The site is located some 5 kilometers north of Karonhar at 27°.32′.10″ North degrees Latitude and 67°.42′.13″ East degrees Longitude. Site spread on 15 acres of surface area where one wall made up of brunt lumps in oval shape and others small circular features at the center of site was seen. Additionally, an oval shape feature measuring 47 meters in North-South and 43 meters East-West directions was also noticed. The shell bangles were in large quantity scattered on the surface along with pottery and one complete jar was found from site. The large oval shape feature made up to brunt clay lumps indicated that some portions of site were probably fortified.

BAHAWAL SHAH-1

The site is located at 27°.24′.49″ North and 67°.39′.57″ east. It is a mounded site submerged in water of the lake Hamal. The mounded site Bahawal Shah-1 is a large sized mound is spread on 300 square meters and culturally rich mainly the pottery of black ware and red ware; both of the wares have similarly to the Indian red and black wares.

Pottery is scattered beneath the water and water is very transparent so that the pottery is quite visible. The most important feature is that the highest part of the mound is approximately three meters high from the water level suggesting the appearance of water is latter phenomenon.

BAHAWAL SHAH-3

The site is located east of Bahawal Shah-2 and Southeast of Bahawal Shah, close to the RBOD at 27°.24′.42″ North degrees Latitude and 67°.40′.08″ East degrees Longitude. The site is presently under water in the lake environs due to the construction of RBOD. The site is spread in large area where different relief pottery was collected that shows that this site was industrial the people supplied the stamp pottery to the other settlements. This assumption was further attested after documentation of variety of moulds with different designs. The same motifs pottery was encountered from Bhambhore ((Khan, F.A., 1963, Majumdar, N.C. 1981), Misri Shah (Shaikh, N. 1995), Kahu-Jo-Daro (Majumdar, N.C.,

124 1981), Mansurah (pottery displayed in SALU Museum), in Sindh and Tulmba site (Mughal, M.R., 1967), in Punjab that attest the diffusion of stamp pottery. The collected pottery from Bahawal Shah is mostly floral and geometrical designs and some pottery is the combination of geometric and natural designs.

DAMBI-JO-DARO - 1

The site is located at 27°.29′.49″ North degree Latitude and 67°.37′.35″ East degree Longitude. Cultural repertoire from site contains a variety of black polished bowl with flat base are common having rims towards inner side while the other bowl rims are turned outside. In addition to the black bowls; the red ware bowls are also common, decorated rims with grooved lines and double rims. The body sherds having grooved line are circular and uniform and some are pressed with cordon lines. The collection of objects from site includes one cubical weight; thick texture yellowish/cream sherds; one partially broken terracotta ball and copper pieces.

DAMBI-JO-DARO - 2

The site is located at 27°.30′.20″ North degrees Latitude and 67°.39′.22″ East degrees Longitude. Cultural repertoire from the site shows great similarity with Dambi- Jo-Daro-1 site as the black polished, and red ware has been found with pointed rims and slightly curved towards inner side. The grooved line decoration on the body of a black bowl shoulder having fine texture was observed. A terracotta pipe with both edges erected upwards seems rims. Interesting feature is that one side is plain; while the other is decorated with wavy thin incised lines, thumb pressing and grooved lines.

As mentioned above that the several sites are occupied repeatedly and continually. The classification of periods was made based on the pottery motifs and supported with other cultural items as previewed in the following table. It was not surprised that few settlements were having occupancy traces of single period after which it was deserted. The questions like, where and why people left from those specific spots are beyond present focus of this study.

S. Site Location Period/ Phase Discover/Report No: 27°.24′.43″ North Chaff Tempered Abro, T. 2018 01 Bahawal Shah-2 67°.39′.57″ East Pottery Hakra; Nal; Flam, Louis / 27°.35′.14″ North 02 Toopi Amrian & Kot unpublished data 67°.52′.57″ East Dijian Periods Hakra; Nal; Flam, Louis / 27°.32′.34″ North 03 Mugli Amrian & Kot unpublished data 67°.32′.49″ East Dijian Periods 27°.21′.20″ North Abro, T. 2018 04 Karo Kotero Hakra Period 67°.30′.53″ East

125 Hakra; Nal; Flam, Louis / 27°.22′.10″ North 05 Kotero Amrian & Kot unpublished data 67°.24′.46″ East Dijian Periods Karonhar-Jo- 27°.30′.25″ North Indus & Kot Dijian Nissen, Hans J., 06 Daro 67°.41′.59″ East Period (1983), Jhukar (Re- 27°.34′.00″ North Banerji, RD, 07 Late Indus visited) 67°.07′.00″ East (1918-19), Bahawal Shah-1 27°.24′.49″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 08 68°.39′.57″ East Pottery 27°.24′.48″ North Moulds & Stamp Abro, T. 2018 09 Bahawal Shah-3 67°.40′.05″ East Pottery 27°.26′.12″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 10 Soan Taro 67°.38′.26″ East Pottery 27°.23′.57″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 11 Whare-Jo-Daro 68°.39′.32″ East Pottery Dhambi-Jo- 27°.29′.49″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 12 Daro - 1 67°.37′.35″ East Pottery 27°.27′.13″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 13 Punro 67°.38′.50″ East Pottery Dhambi-Jo- 27°.30′.20″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 14 Daro - 2 67°.39′.22″ East Pottery Halepotan-Jo- 27°.38′.58″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 15 Daro 68°.14′.02″ East Pottery Thikrian- Waro- 27°.39′.11″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 16 Daro 68°.13′.43″ East Pottery Dhamrah-Jo- 27°.39′.17″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 17 Daro 68°.14′.50″ East Pottery Labaran-Waro- 27°.42′.23″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 18 Daro 68°.18′.55″ East Pottery 27°.37′.15″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 19 Pir Nandal Shah 67°.07′.59″ East Pottery Chotiyaro-Jo- 27°.33′.17″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 20 Daro 68°.05′.42″ East Pottery 27°.31′.26″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 21 Fateh Bilawal 68°.03′.32″ East Pottery 27°.30′.54″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 22 Nathar-Jo-Daro 68°.03′.17″ East Pottery Chanaran- 27°.24′.00″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 23 Waro-Muqam 67°.55′.15″ East Pottery 27°.26′.33″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 24 Janan Chan 67°.49′.28″ East Pottery Khandu-Jo- 27°.30′.50″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 25 Muqam 67°.45′.54″ East Pottery Dandhero-Jo- 27°.32′.10″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 26 Daro 67°.42′.13″ East Pottery Village Jahan 27°.26′.54″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 27 Khan 67°.40′.44″ East Pottery 27°.23′.33″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 28 Nang Daro 67°.40′.53″ East Pottery

126 Village 27°.26′.20″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 29 Muzawar 68°.14′.40″ East Pottery 27°.25′.57″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 30 Aavey-Jo-Daro 68°.14′.32″ East Pottery 27°.27′.26″ North Red & Black Ware Abro,T. 2018 31 Karray-Jo-Daro 67°.37′.40″ East Pottery 27°.27′.24″ North Red & Black Ware Abro, T. 2018 32 Badam-Jo-Daro 67°.38′.51″ East Pottery

Interpretation of Data

The research area comprises of various eco-zones where archaeological sites were discovered. In those eco-zones the Khirthar Mountains have greater role. People lived in those mountains and carried movements through passes specifically towards Indus plains.

The research resulted in the recording and documenting of 32 sites. Some of them are previously recorded by other scholars (table) and same sites were re-visited. The most important evidence uncovered during this research was the presence of a cultural ware known as ‘Nal’. The Nal is the cultural tradition found in Balochistan and is reported at Sohr Damb, Miri Qalat, Mehrgarh and various other sites in Balochistan (Asthana Shashi, 1985 & Shudai, Hand et.al. 2009). The presence of Nal cultural tradition at Kotero, Toopi and Mugli signifies an important aspect of the communication through the Khirthar passes. The Nal cultural tradition also was part of the formative stage in Indus plain such as the Kot Dijian and Amrian cultures of the Regionalization Era (Kenoyer1998). Jonathan Mark Kenoyer mentions that “The Black and Red Ware Culture is a Late Indian and early Indian Archaeological culture of the northern of central Indian subcontinent, associated with the Vedic Civilization. In the western Ganges plain it is dated to 1450-1200 Century BCE, and is succeeded by the Painted Grey Ware Culture; whereas in the Central and Eastern Ganges plain (Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Bengal and Central India (Madhya Pradesh) the Black & Red Ware appears during the same period but continues longer, until 700-800 Century BCE, succeeded by the Northern Black Polished Ware culture” (Kenoyer, 1998).

The second important discovery was the Black Ware and Red Ware found at the sites in the plains, ancient channels and lake environs. This Black Ware and Red Ware is the same family as the Black & Red Ware found in Post-Indus period in northern and central India (Wheeler, 1947). This Black & Red ware was first described in India by Sir Mortimer Wheeler about five decades ago (Wheeler, 1947). This provides a clear indication of the Balochi and Kot Dijian cultures presence in the earlier development phase in the Indus region, giving impetus to the Mature Indus Phase and finally its decline which was one of the reasons to re-examine Jhukar material. This phase after the decline seems to have given way to the second urban phase with Black & Red Ware culture providing a base for the new urban phase of the 5th Century AD and onwards.

127 The Black and Red ware tradition from northern and central India is of 13th – 14th Century BCE paving way for the Painted Grey Ware and Northern Black Polished Ware being the beginning of 2nd Urban Phase in South Asian contexts. This phenomenon is found in western Sindh though Jim Shaffer deny the presence of this ware in the western part of Indus (Shaffer, 1993). However, the present discoveries of this ware in western Sindh on various sites in plains and in lake environs have revised the previous information. The Black ware and Red ware cultural tradition of Sindh succeeded the Late Jhukar phase in Sindh and in reality this tradition shows the beginning of a new era of urbanization after the decline of Indus. This tradition is described as Localization Era of Indus Valley and is bracketed between 1500 Century BCE and onwards (Kenoyer1998). Similarly, at some sites, particularly in eastern Punjab and Gujarat, Black & Red Ware pottery is associated with Late Harappan Pottery and may have directly influenced the Painted Grey Ware and Northern Black Polished Ware cultures (Tribhuan, 1961).

Tracing the history of region the role of ancient channels were focused. It was find out the Warah Course and Shahdad Kot Course were occupied by ancient people(Louis Flam 1981). The earlier discovered sites i.e. Thariri Ubhan Odho (Kazi & Mallah, 1991), Bhando Qubo (Shaikh & Veesar, 2000-01), Karoonhar-Jo-Daro and Ghazi Shah (Flam, 1981) all are located on Warah Course, while Jukhar site is located on Ghar Branch i.e. on ancient courses. The recently documented sites Toopi, Mugli and Kotero are located in hilly environ of Khirthar Mountains, where clear evidence of rivulets are coming from Khirthar. At present these rivulets are dry and only during rainy season water flows in these rivulets where Kotero and Mugli sites are located. Both sites are significant and huge in area where stone structures were witnessed. Both settlements furnished very important evidence in fact a combination of cultures for instance, the Nal, Quetta Ware with Hakra, Amrian, Kot Dijian and Indus period pottery. On the other hand if we look on the left bank of river Indus the Palaeo-channels flowing from the west of Rohri Hills known as Khairpur Course, on which i.e. Pir Surhiyo, Naro Waro Dhoro, Kot Diji, are found and several settlements in desert environs i.e. Dubi cluster, Ganero-8, Ali Nawaz Rajper, Garho Bhiro-2 and Garho Bhiro-3, Taloor-Ji-Bhit, even Chanhu-Jo-Daro are located. The Khairpur course was the main contributor in the development of these sites. These Palaeo-channels on both sides of River Indus have contributed in the formation of Indus Civilization and provided a base for this development. This eastern side of Indus has also furnished evidence of Hakra, Kot Dijian, Mature and Late Indus. These Palaeo-courses coming from Cholistan which enter into Nara Desert, were the part of Hakra river. Raini Course where several settlements i.e. Magrian-Jo-Pat, Ghob Bhir, Loal Mari, Poongar Bhambhro, Bhir sites and other settlements witnessed the prosperity during Hakra, Kot Dijian and Indus period sites.

All these Palaeo-channels on the right and left bank of River Indus dried and also the rivulets flowing from of the hilly areas, dried due to climatic and environmental changes and as such resulted in the decline of urban centers that finally led to its collapse. The prosperous period of the 3rd Millennium saw a decline in the early 18th Century BCE, followed by the 2nd Urbanization Era formative period in the shape of Black & Red Ware

128 in Indian side and Black Ware and Red Ware in Sindh, which was encountered at number of sites i.e. Halepotan-Jo-Daro, Nathar-Jo-Daro, Chanaran-Jo-Muqam, Chotiyaro-Jo- Daro and other several settlements. This new evidences on one hand has the presence of early cultural traditions of the formative stages of the Indus Civilization in the form of Nal, Amri, Kot Dijian presence on the other hand the new ceramic ware called by the author as Black Ware and Red Ware provides the continuity of the cultural sequence after the Jhukar phase in Sindh. This interpretation of cultural sequence most defiantly need further authentication through excavation but one thing is sure that the region carried rich remains for scientifically establishing sequence of cultural tradition in this archaeologically potential zone.

CONCLUSION

The present research was carried in contemporary Larkana and Kambar- Shahdad Kot districts of Sindh province of Pakistan. This resulted that it is very potential zone for Archaeological investigations. The survey of the research area 32 sites has been recorded. The research area comprises of various geographical units like Khirthar Mountains, piedmonts, plains, lakes and ancient river channels all showed the evidence of ancient settlements.

The research investigation in this region was to look for evidences for filling up the gaps in the knowledge. Jhukar culture following the Indus decline was scarcely known and the intention was to check the cultural development prior to Indus and Late and Post-Indus cultures. The re-investigation of Jhukar culture site and further intensive investigation in the research area resulted in the discovery of Neolithic, Hakra, Amri, Nal, Kot Dijian, Mature Indus and Post-Indus Black Ware and Red Ware ceramic tradition of the 2nd millennium BC, which was followed by the painted Grey ware and Northern Black Polished ware towards the second Urban Phase in the 1st millennium BC. This painted Grey ware and Northern Black Polished Ware are yet to be traced of which no evidence was unearthed in these two districts under study. However, this area and its surrounding region has great potential and may in future provide ample evidence and further new discoveries.

The Hakra culture sites were previously discovered in Cholistan and Thar Desert in upper Sindh (Mughal, 1972, Mallah, ). This present identification in western Sindh was a new development. These sites furnished evidences of the Amri, Nal and Kot Dijian cultures. Prior to this research Nal cultural period was distributed in Balochistan at various sites and also was found at Mehrgarh in period VI along with Kot Dijian culture and Faiz Muhammad Grey Ware. These earlier cultures played an important role in the development and rise of Indus Civilization. The Post-Indus period evidences were very hardly seen at earlier discovered and recorded sites. The presence of Black Ware and Red Ware though still in its initial stages clarified the profile of cultural development and filled the existing gaps in the knowledge and provided a base for future research on the

129 eastern and western side of Indus River. This cultural continuity needs to be examined and studied in a new perspective.

Various cultural tradition emerge from Baluchistan on western edge of the district Kambar-Shahdad Kot i.e. Nal and on the other from eastern side of Sindh Thar, Hakra Ware, Kot Diji Culture tradition converge together in this region. It is a place where the cultures are encountered together at the sites in hilly environs Topi, Mungli and Kotero site. The structure at Mungli, Kotero and Khando Pir sites are very similar to Kot Diji sites where they used Pebbles/Stone blocks in their houses, which are small in size and also with corridors/chambers. Recent research has been study of archaeological sites, especially in its chronological aspects on typo-technical of pottery designs, settlement pattern and ecological study of region in which resources of each region were discussed in details, archaeological sites were documented and their environs were described. The detail description of sites were updated and their chronology was re- defined on the basis of typological study/relative chronology on the basis of recent field work, which helps to form the data base for the researcher and an archaeologists. Recent research and documentation of settlements in this region showed the importance of this region, how region was prosperous since long time. The evidence of Hakra, Kot Diji, Nal and Amri cultures from sites in Khirthar piedmont region and the emerging of these cultures in said region are very important to understand the development of early cultures in the 1st urbanized phase leading to the further onward early phase giving rise to 2nd urban phase. This region this has furnished evidence from 6th millennium Neolithic phase onwards as explanation of development of Indus civilization in shape of Baluchistan and Indus cultural traditions.

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______AUTHORS’ ADDRESS: DR. TASLEEM ALAM ABRO, Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur (SINDH-PK) E-mail: [email protected] DR. GHULAM MOHIUDDIN VEESAR, Professor, Department of Archaeology, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur (Sindh-PK) Email: [email protected] MUHAMMAD AMIN CHANDIO, PhD Research Scholar, Department of Archaeology, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur (Sindh-PK) Email: [email protected]

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