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Use of Bone Tools at the Sites of Burzahom and Chirand

Bone tools are made up of different tissues such as teeth, ivory, antler, etc. During the Palaeolithic period, these tools acquired various forms. Archaeologists studied them for get answers to numerous questions. The people of Chirand and Burzahom were especially skilled in using these tools, which they made themselves. The people of Chirand used tools made of polished stones and bones for their survival. The bone tools would be made with domestic animal tissue.

Burzahom

Burzahom is an archaeological site in the valley of Kashmir. Excavations there have exposed four phases of cultural importance. Periods I and II illustrate the Neolithic age; Period III illustrates the Megalithic age and Period IV relates to the Early Historical Period.

The Burzahom site exposed the evolution from the underground and ground-level housing features of Neolithic natives to mud-brick structures of the Megalithic people. Moreover, the huge cache of tools and equipment made of bone or stones found at the site shows that the inhabitants were involved in activities like hunting and farming. The unearthed antiquities of architecture, art, customs and rituals specify that the people of Burzahom had connections not only with people in the Gangetic plains but also with those in central Asia and southwest Asia.

Location

The Burzahom site is a primitive settlement in a village of the same name in the Srinagar District. It is about 9.9 miles, or 16 km, northwest of Srinagar. The site’s altitude is about 1,800 m, or 5,900 feet above sea level. It is located in the northernmost part of India.

History

Initial excavation in Burzahom was done in the year 1936. It was carried out through the Yale-Cambridge Expedition led by Thomson Paterson and Helmut de Terra, a geologist, archaeologist, explorer, anthropologist, and author from Germany. After that, the Frontier Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (TFCASI) made investigations regarding the site in 1960-71. TN Khazanchi and his associates carried out these investigations. Moreover, TN Khazanchi was the leader of his team that was involved in the excavations.

Chirand

Chirand is an archaeological site situated in the Saran district of Bihar. It is located on the bank of the Ganga river. This site has a primitive mound from the Neolithic era and shows the supremacy of the Pal dynasty that was ruling at the time of the pre-medieval phase. The stratified Chalcolithic, Neolithic, and Iron Age settlements, including the evolution in human habitation styles from 2,500 BC to 30 AD, were exposed by excavations in Chirand.

The Ghaghara river meets the Ganga at a distance adjacent to Revelganj. Sone River also meets the Ganga a bit far away from Chirand. Around 1.6 miles, or 2.5 km, towards the north of the mound, a dry river bed is located, one of the roundabout dry loops of the river Gandaki.

History

During the mediaeval period, the Pala dynasty ruled over the region. Moreover, Ananda, a believer of Buddha, passed away in Chirand. The king of the Chero Dynasty, Mayurdhwaj, also ruled from Chirand. In addition, historian WW Hunter, famous for publishing nine volumes of India’s Imperial Gazetteer, recorded a description of the Chirand village when he visited it in 1871.

Conclusion

The study material concludes that the people of Chirand and Burzahom used tools made with polished stones and bones. Moreover, the place was full of people who lived in pits because of poverty. Therefore, the people were skilled with various techniques and mastery of making bone tools. In addition, Chirand is an archaeological place located in the Saran district of Bihar, India, whereas Burzahom is also an archaeological place. Still, it is located in the valley of Kashmir, India.

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What is Burzahom known for? Explain.

Ans. Burzahom is the foremost historical site located in the Kashmir valley. It has huge archaeological sign...Read full

Who excavated the Chirand site?

Ans. The State Directorate of Archaeology in Bihar conducted the excavations at the Chirand mound between 1962 an...Read full

What is Chirand famous for? Explain.

Ans. Chirand is an archaeological site located in Saran district, Bihar. It comprises a big primitive mound,...Read full

What is the meaning of the name 'Burzahom'? Explain.

Ans. What is the meaning of the name ‘Burzahom’? Explain.