Abstract
Ancient Indian Cultures
AN article by M. E. and D. H. Gordon (J. Boy. Asiatic Soc. Bengal, 6, No. 2; 1940) contains interesting information concerning their studies in the Indus valley. The prehistoric cultures exemplified by Harappa and Mohenjo–daro are not necessarily isolated from those of the early historic period, as certain objects have been found in mounds in Peshawar and other neighbouring districts which appear to carry on the ancient traditions. Moreover, painted pottery such as is found in these mounds is made in all the same localities to this day. This does not mean that there is no distinction between the present–day painted pots and those of the early historic periods; but there are certainly similarities, which, with the other evidence put forth, tends to show that there is no hiatus of 2,000 years in these Indian cultures. Ancient metal and stone workings in the eastern portion of Chota Nagpur have been excavated by E. F. O. Murray and described in “The Ancient Workers of Western Dhalbhum”(ibid.). The ethnology and geology of the district are dealt with briefly and a description given of the very interesting finds of pottery, beads and stone implements. The old mines are also described. The author concludes that they belong to an ancient culture of a higher level than that attained by the present inhabitants of the region.
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Research Items. Nature 148, 697–698 (1941). https://doi.org/10.1038/148697a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/148697a0