Forum Pakistan

A settlement of the Neolithic, Bronze and Early Iron Age in northern Balochistan (Pakistan) is to be found in the Gumal valley to the north-west of Dera Ismail Khan. Since 1971 it has been studied by an expedition of the University of Peshawar headed by A.H. *Dani. He has identified six chronological periods. Period I (3300-100 BC) has not yielded any pottery and is the earliest period. Large pits with ashes, bones, stone microliths, grain grinders and mortars belong to this period. Period II (3100-2700 BC) is characterized by pits with high-quality wheel manufactured painted ware.

There is some similarity with the pottery of the Quetta culture in Balochistan (Kili-Ghul-Muhammad III-IV) and the Mundigak IIl5-IVl settlement in Afghanistan. Clay figurines, stone and bronze implements were found. Period III (2700-400 BC) is genetically connected with the first two periods. The percentage of ornamentation styles has changed. Its pottery relates it to the lower levels in * Amri and *Kot Diji.
Solid brick constructions belong to Period IV (24002000 BC). This material is typical of the classical development stage of the *Harappan Civilization. Period V of the later Harappa (first half of the 2nd millennium BC) yielded five cremation burials in which vessels of the Late Harappan type were found side by side with the *Gandhara culture or *Swat culture ware. Several burials were dug in Period VI that have been dated to the Early Iron Age. These studies shed light on the origins and decline of the Harappa civilization and *Indo-Aryan penetration into South Asia.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: A.H. Dani, 'Excavations in the Gomal Valley', AP, V. 1970-1; Allchin Brigget and Raymond, 'The Rise of Civilization in India and Pakistan', Cambridge, 1982.