xx, 322p., 14, Col., 60 B/W., Figs., 40 Maps, Bib., Index, 28 cm. (Archaeology of South Asia II)
CONTENTS
CONTENTS:- 1. Introduction 2. Environmental Changes 3. Indus Civilization or Harappa Culture 4. Chaleolithic Cultures 5. Iron Age Cultures 6. Role of Central Himalayas 7. Conclusion
DESCRIPTION
This book "Bronze and Iron Ages in South Asia", second in the series of Archaeology of South Asia, incorporates the latest results of research on Indus valley civilization and other cultures of Bronze and Iron Ages.
The book attempts to give an interdisciplinary survey of Indian archaeology giving due emphasis to technology and environmental changes. The Indus civilization, which required a much fuller treatment, has been studied in great detail as also most of the Chalcolithic and Copper Hoard cultures. The Iron Age cultures and some of its outstanding issues such as the origin of iron technology, making of wootz steel and the way iron contributed to the socio-economic processes associated with the second urbanization have also been dealt with in detail. This work also shows that a close interaction existed between the Ganga Valley and the Central Himalayas since the Bronze Age. The concluding chapter summarizes the evidences and points towards the lacunae to be filled and the new directions of research. The book clearly delineates the difference between the characters of the first Bronze Age urbanization of the Indus Valley and the second Iron Age urbanization of the Ganga Valley. It brings out a multidisciplinary synthesis of archaeological, linguistic and paleo-climatic data. Profusely illustrated with maps, line drgs. and plates, the book will be immensely helpful for the scholars of South Asian archaeology & history.
