The end of the Neolithic period saw very different kind of developments in different areas. While in the Indus and Saraswati valleys there emerged, though slowly, a full-fledged civilization, in central India and
Deccan a very different kind of culture developed which, though using metal, never reached the level of urbanisation. This was known as Chalcolithic culture.
The culture based on the use of copper and stone was termed as Chalcolithic, meaning stone-copper Phase.
The Chalcolithic cultures flourished during the third millennium and second millennium B.C. Some of these cultures were contemporary with the Harappan culture and other were decidedly later than Harappan.
Must read: Agriculture, Trade and Commerce in Chalcolithic Cultures
Must read: Religion in Chalcolithic Cultures
Features of Chalcolithic Culture
These cultures shared certain common features.
They are all characterised by painted ceramic, usually black-on-red
A specialised blade and flake industry of the silicious material like chalcedony and chert
Copper and bronze tools, though on a restricted scale.
Their economy was based on subsistence agriculture, stock-raising and hunting and fishing.
Important Chalcolithic Cultures
Some important Chalcolithic cultures are:
Ahar culture c.2800-1500 B.C
Kayatha culture c. 2450-i 700 B.C.
Malwa culture c. 1900-1400 B.C.
Savalda culture c. 2300-2000 B.C.
Jorwe culture c. 1500 -900 B.C.
Prabhas culture c. 2000-1400 B.C.
Rangpur culture c. 1700-1400 B.C.
Painted Pottery of Chalcolithic cultures
The most distinguishing feature of the Chalcolithic cultures is their distinct painted pottery.
The Kayatha culture is characterized by a sturdy red-slipped ware painted with designs in chocolate colour, a red painted buff ware and a combed ware bearing incised patterns.
The Ahar people made a distinctive black-and-red ware decorated with white designs.
The Malwa ware is rather coarse in fabric, but has a thick buff surface over which designs are made either in red or black.
The Prabhas and Rangpur wares are both derived from the Harappan, but have a glossy surface due to which they are also called Lustrous Red Ware.
Jorwe ware too is painted black-on-red but has a matt surface treated with a wash.
Some of the most well-known pottery forms are dishes-on-stand, spouted vases, stemmed cups, pedestalled bowls, big storage jars, and spouted basins and bowls.
Chalcolithic Cultures Regions and Sites
Most of the Chalcolithic cultures flourished in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat
and Maharashtra.
The settlements of Kayatha culture are only a few in number, mostly located on the Chambal and its tributaries. They are relatively small in size and the biggest may be not over two hectares.
In contrast to small Kayatha culture settlements those of Ahar Culture are big. At least three of them namely Ahar, Balathal and Gilund are of several hectares. Stone, mud bricks, and mud were used for the construction of houses and other structures. Excavations reveal that Balathal was a well fortified settlement.
The people of Malwa culture settled mostly on the Narmada and its tributaries. Navdatoli, Eran and Nagada are the three best known settlements of Malwa culture. Navdatoli measures almost 10 hectares
and is one of the largest Chalcolithic settlements in the country. It has been seen that some of these sites were fortified and Nagada had even a bastion of mud-bricks. Eran similarly had a fortification wall with a moat.
Unfortunately not more than half a dozen settlements of Prabhas culture are known.
The Rangpur culture sites are located mostly on Ghelo and Kalubhar rivers in Gujarat.
The Jorwe settlements are comparatively larger in number. More than 200 settlements are known from Maharashtra. Prakash, Daimabad and Inamgaon are some of the best known settlements of this culture. The largest of these is Daimabad which measured almost 20 hectares.
Must read: Urban planning and culture in the Indus Valley Civilization
Houses in Chalcolithic Cultures
The Chalcolithic people built rectangular and circular houses of mud wattle-and-daub. The circular houses
were mostly in clusters. These houses and huts had roofs of straw supported on bamboo and wooden rafters. Floors were made of rammed clay and huts were used for storage also.
Decline of Chalcolithic cultures
The Chalcolithic cultures flourished during the third millennium and second millennium B.C. A large number of settlements like Kayatha, Prabhas, Ahar, Balathal, Prakash and Nevasa were deserted, to be reoccupied after four to six centuries later. It has been postulated that these cultures declined due to decline in rainfall which made it hard for the agricultural communities to sustain.
For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalcolithic
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES . Consider the following information: UPSC 2024
Archaeological Site : State : Description
1 . Chandraketugarh : Odisha : Trading Port town
2 . Inamgaon : Maharashtra : Chalcolithic site
3 . Mangadu : Kerala : Megalithic site
4 . Salihundam : Andhra Pradesh : Rock-cut cave shrines
In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
Ans (b) EXPLANATION: ֍ Chandraketugarh is an archaeological site. Located on the Vidyadhari, once an important tributary of the Bhagirathi, Chandraketugarh is situated 35 kilometres northeast of calcutta in the district of 24 Parganas of West Bengal. It served as the kingdom of King Chandraketu. According to historians, the place dates back to the 3rd century, which is pre-Mauryan era. While there’s another section that believes that the place is a part of the ancient kingdom named Gangaridai. The archaeological studies also say that once the destination was an important port city with huge walls. Hence (1) is not correctly matched. ֍ Inamgaon is a chalcolithic settlement located in the state of Maharashtra. Hence (2) is correctly matched. ֍ Mangadu, in Kerala is a prehistoric site where megaliths have been found. Hence (3) is correctly matched. ֍ Salihundam, is in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. It is a historically important Buddhist monument of ancient Kalinga and a major tourist attraction. It is a village lying on top of the hill. There are a number of Buddhist stupas and a huge monastic complex on a hillock amidst scenic surroundings. There are no rock-cut cave shrines here. Hence (4) is not correctly matched.
