essay
Mehrgarh: its place in the development of ancient cultures in Pakistan
forgotten cities on the indus • Mainz, Germany • Published In 1991 • Pages: 34-50, 243
By: Jarrige, Jean-François.
Abstract
The site of Mehrgarh and its discovery are discussed. In particular, the early dates (an aceramic neolithic horizon dates earlier than 9000 B.P.) from the site indicates this region wasn't a cultural backwater when compared with the Neolithic in the Zagros in the Middle East. In addition there are many similarities between the first farmers in the Zagros and in the Iranian Plateau when compared to Baluchistan, although these similarites do not indicate direct diffusion (i.e. Mehrgarh was not settled by colonists from these areas). Radiocarbon dating at the site has been complicated by root masses, some fossilized, in the stratum down to 7 meters which make many dates to appear later than they are. The Neolithic appears to have occurred simultaneously at Kili Gul Mohammad in the highlands and at Merhgarh in the lowlands probably due to seasonal migration between the two areas. The development of the neolithic at this site can be followed from an aceramic neolithic stage, where the earliest settlers obtained most of their meat through hunting while at the same time they harvested a wild variety of barley on a large scale, up to the start of the chalcolithic period where the use of copper can already be seen in neolithic graves. This large scale harvesting required large granaries. By 8000 B.P. these structures indicate there had to be a social organization capable of controling this storage and its distribution. The cemeteries also point to a social organization capable of some sort of craft specialization.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2004
- Region
- Asia
- Sub Region
- South Asia
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Archaeologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Sarah Berry ; 2002
- Field Date
- no date given
- Coverage Date
- 9000 BP-6500 BP (7000 B.C.-4500 B.C.)
- Coverage Place
- Mehrgarh, Kachhi, Balochistan, Pakistan
- Notes
- Jean-François Jarrige
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 243)
- LCSH
- Neolithic period