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Copper hoard found in Auraiya
20 Sep 2007, 0542 hrs IST,TNN
LUCKNOW: In a significant discovery a copper hoard, estimated to be around 4000 years old, has been discovered in district Auraiya of Uttar Pradesh. The exploration of the site has shown that the find-spot of the copper artefacts is part of an ancient site and comprises a thick cultural deposit.
The site of the discovery is located to the south of village Udaipurwa (Udaipur) bear the Arind or Rind river which is a small tributary of river Yamuna. It roughly covers an area of 1.5 to 2 acre. Presently this area is under cultivation.
The hoard discovered weighs about 25 kg and comprises various types of artefacts, including a barbed spearhead (harpoon), an anthropomorphic figure, flat shouldered axes, chisels and rings. Most of the artefacts, barring some rings and axes, are broken.
Dr Rakesh Tewari, director Directorate of Archaeology, says "the exposed section of the rain-gully in which the hoard has been found, indicates that the site may be containing about 1.5-2.00 m thick cultural deposit. The cultural material scattered on the surface is mainly represented by red ware dominated by well baked thick sectioned potsherds. The only identifiable shape in them is a vase. It appears to be representing a single culture site.A detailed investigation may reveal other aspects of the cultural assemblage of the site."
Since 1822, when a copper hoard was discovered in Bithoor around a 100 more copper hoards have been found in different places mainly in western UP, Haryana and Rajasthan. Red ware potsherds have also been found on the surface of most of these find-spots. Some of them such as Bahadarabad in district Saharanpur, Busauli in Badaun, Rajpur Parsu in Bijnore, Baharia in Shajehanpur and Saipai in Etawah have been subjected to archaeological soundings.
However, not much could be known about their associated culture and chronology.In view of this, the Udaipurwa hoard discovery is of considerable significance. The experts in the directorate are hopeful of getting enough charcol and other organic material during the proposed excavations for radiocarbon dating. A formal proposal on the count has already been submitted to the ASI, New Delhi.
The discovery of Udaipurwa was a chance one. Dr Tewari says, "it was on July 31, 2007 when a person who performed acrobatics noticed some objects crusted with green patina at a spot exposed by heavy rains while he was passing through a field. Curiosity prompted him to dig the spot which revealed the hoard. He collected the artefacts with the intent of selling them to earn some easy money."The information of the finds trickled to the Bela-police which swung into action and confiscated the hoard which was then kept in the custody of the Bidhuna police station. Thereafter, the Directorate of Archaeology was informed about the finds by the additional district magistrate Auraiya for necessary action.
kenb
20 Sep 2007, 0542 hrs IST,TNN
LUCKNOW: In a significant discovery a copper hoard, estimated to be around 4000 years old, has been discovered in district Auraiya of Uttar Pradesh. The exploration of the site has shown that the find-spot of the copper artefacts is part of an ancient site and comprises a thick cultural deposit.
The site of the discovery is located to the south of village Udaipurwa (Udaipur) bear the Arind or Rind river which is a small tributary of river Yamuna. It roughly covers an area of 1.5 to 2 acre. Presently this area is under cultivation.
The hoard discovered weighs about 25 kg and comprises various types of artefacts, including a barbed spearhead (harpoon), an anthropomorphic figure, flat shouldered axes, chisels and rings. Most of the artefacts, barring some rings and axes, are broken.
Dr Rakesh Tewari, director Directorate of Archaeology, says "the exposed section of the rain-gully in which the hoard has been found, indicates that the site may be containing about 1.5-2.00 m thick cultural deposit. The cultural material scattered on the surface is mainly represented by red ware dominated by well baked thick sectioned potsherds. The only identifiable shape in them is a vase. It appears to be representing a single culture site.A detailed investigation may reveal other aspects of the cultural assemblage of the site."
Since 1822, when a copper hoard was discovered in Bithoor around a 100 more copper hoards have been found in different places mainly in western UP, Haryana and Rajasthan. Red ware potsherds have also been found on the surface of most of these find-spots. Some of them such as Bahadarabad in district Saharanpur, Busauli in Badaun, Rajpur Parsu in Bijnore, Baharia in Shajehanpur and Saipai in Etawah have been subjected to archaeological soundings.
However, not much could be known about their associated culture and chronology.In view of this, the Udaipurwa hoard discovery is of considerable significance. The experts in the directorate are hopeful of getting enough charcol and other organic material during the proposed excavations for radiocarbon dating. A formal proposal on the count has already been submitted to the ASI, New Delhi.
The discovery of Udaipurwa was a chance one. Dr Tewari says, "it was on July 31, 2007 when a person who performed acrobatics noticed some objects crusted with green patina at a spot exposed by heavy rains while he was passing through a field. Curiosity prompted him to dig the spot which revealed the hoard. He collected the artefacts with the intent of selling them to earn some easy money."The information of the finds trickled to the Bela-police which swung into action and confiscated the hoard which was then kept in the custody of the Bidhuna police station. Thereafter, the Directorate of Archaeology was informed about the finds by the additional district magistrate Auraiya for necessary action.
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