Harappan Civilization and Oriyo Timbo.

• Author: Fairservis, Jr., Walter

The exemplary partnership of the Gujarat State Department of Archaeology and the University Museum of the University of Pennsylvania, under the general direction of Gregory Possehl and M. H. Raval, has produced invaluable evidence on the character of prehistoric life of western India. The present volume in the series of forthcoming publications is a case in point. Survey in the Bhavnagar District of Gujurat produced some 57 sites of various periods, the majority of which were located close to the two principal rivers of the area (Ghelo, Kalubhar). Oriyo Timbo, however, was found in the upland between and distant from these rivers. The low-lying site covers more than 3 hectares. Excavation undertaken over a single season of about 6 weeks produced a body of faunal evidence which was analyzed by the authors. These remains were almost entirely bovid and confined to the upper levels of the site, which Possehl has determined to be of Rangpur III Lustrous Red ware date and affinity. The Rangpur sequence has provided an unbroken sequence from what can be called Classic Harappan to the provincial Lustrous Red ware horizon. Thus it is likely that this horizon at Oriyo Timbo is akin to the Jhukar in Sind as a manifestation of the Late Harappan. The architectural remains, while...