In this book, while studying the ceramics of Balathal, an effort has been made to go beyond the pots and pans in order to penetrate into many hitherto unknown aspects of Ahar Culture. Considering the paucity of standard books on ceramics available in India, a brief account on ceramic data retrieval, recording, ordering, description, tabulation, analysis and synthesis of results to achieve the objectivity has been provided. How ceramic variability and quantitative analysis can be useful in interpreting the cultural process and lifestyle of the people is extensively dealt with. Use of scientific methods, like XRD and Thin Section analyses in classification of ceramics, understanding technology, provenance of raw materials, identifying local and non-local ceramics, has been discussed. Besides issues like study of labour division, gender and economics of ceramic production have also been discussed. A maiden attempt has been made to understand the role of climatic stress of ceramics. Ethno-archaeological study of modern potters of the region and catalogue of Chalcolithic ceramics of Balathal have been put forward in the appendices. With 23 colour plates and more than 170 figures, this book will be useful for the beginners as well as researchers of the subjects of archaeology, history and anthropology.



Author Bio: Anup Mishra is currently working in the Department of Ancient History and Culture, M.J.P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly. An alumnus of Deccan College, Pune, he has been awarded Doctor of Philosophy for his research on "Chalcolithic Ceramics of Balathal, District Udaipur, Rajasthan." His main area of specialization is multi-disciplinary scientific approaches to Chalcolithic and Early Iron Age ceramics of Rajasthan and Upper Ganga Valley. He has also carried out ethno-archaeological study of modern potters in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. He has published more than 20 research papers in various reputed journals and is a regular participant at national and international conferences. At present he is actively engaged in exploration and excavation of Early Iron Age sites in the region of Upper Ganga Valley. His excavation at the site of Abhaipur, Pilibhit, U.P., and subsequent discovery of first PGW human burials in 2005-06 is significan.