1991-92 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

1991-92Objective: To study agricultural practices in context of differentcultures in time and space: To sketch the perspectives of ecologifal potential ofcontemporary agro-ecosystem and their contemplatedfurther development: To determine the interaction of pre-historic manwith the floral wealth': To reconstruct regional models of environmentaround the cultural settlementsA. The charcoal remains from Neolithic-Chalcolithic site at Senuwar (ca 2,000- 600 B.C.), Rohtas, Bihar, were studied and the details are as under:NEOLITHIC Cca 2,000-1,800 B.C.)Wood charcoals of Madhuca indica, Capparis sepiaria, Streblusasper, Shorearobusta, Trewia nudiflora and Bambusa species were identified. The occurrence ofShorea robusta indicates the exploitation of quality timbers by the settlers.NEOLITHIC-CHALCOLITHIC (ca 1,800-1,200 B.C.)Besides, timber-taxa from preceding phase, Aegle marmelos, Cassia fistula,Mesua ferrea and species of Albizia, Acacia, Lagerstroemia and Ziziphus were alsoencountered. Amongst these,-lhe wood of M. ferrea is one of the heaviest as wellas hardest timbers, which further suggests the knowledge of quality forest products.CHALCOLITHIC (ca 1,200-600 B.C.)In addition to the use of timber plants in the early two phases, Mangifera indica,Dalbergia sissoo and Cedrus deodara were also exploited as ·timber woods. Theoccurrence of hemp/bhang (Cannabis sativa) charcoals suggests that the settlers atthis place were known with the narcotic properties of this plant.The occurrence of pomegranate (Punica granatum) from Rohira, Punjab (ca.2,000 - 1,700 B.C.) has suggested the cultivation of pomegranate in the orchardhusbandry of Harappans.K.S.SaraswatB. The study conducted earlier on Harappan site at Shikarpur in Kutch,Gujarat (ca 2,500 - 2,200 B.C.) has been finalized. lWenty two samples fromMahorana, in Ludhiana (ca 2,100·1,900 B.C.) were processed and charcoals wereinvestigated. This site covers a transitional phase between Pre-Harappan andBaran cultures. The study has revealed the predominance of Acacia, Capparis,Prosopis spicigera, Tamara, Ziziphu.r,etc. The taxa recovered typify the arid conditionprcvailcd during 4,000 years B.P. which is also synchronous to the present daycondition.ChanchalaProgramme 7.7 : Aerospora of Lucknow its biochemical and45