For verification of this paper, please visit on http://www.socialresearchfoundation.com/innovation.php#8

The present paper is a preliminary report of the systematic archaeological surface survey and analysis and result of Pakhodana village, tehsil - Khair, district-Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. This paper discusses the methodology, finding, and the result of the survey. The Village of Pakhodana is an attractive location for archaeological interest prone mound. During the first surface survey, I had reached at this mound in 2016 and further extensive survey by me in 2017 and 2018. Here this survey we fixed to draw attention to site which may be threatened by Proto historic cultural site. An attempt has made to establish a tentative chronology of the site with the help of ceramic analysis as well as a comprehensive study of potteries from Pakhodana with the others excavated or explored sites in this doab region such as Atranjikhera (Etah) and Lal Qila (Bulandshahr).

To establishment of the proto historic cultural status or background of the Village.

Human life started near about 6 million year before in somewhere in Africa continent. Six million year before humans ancestors walking with two feet, foods gathers, and very short in height. In Indian perspective, after the end of Mesolithic age proto historic cultural ages has been started. Neolithic age and proto historic age have been running parallel in past. This proto historic culture has been flourished by one hundred century AD. The relevant literature is reviewed below: D. P. Agarwal, Archaeology of India; This book dedicated to drown the complete archeologically profile of India. This book is very important to every research which were regarding to Indian archaeology. Pre history (Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic), Proto history (Ochre coloure pottery, Black & Red ware, Painted grey ware, and Northern Black Polished ware cultures) and many others Indian regional cultures profiles have been vastly described in this book. R. C. Gaur, Excavation at Atranjikhera; early civilization of the upper Ganga basin,This excavation report describes the proto historic cultural phase at Ganga-Yamuna doab region especially the famous archaeological site of Atranjikhera. This is used as the proto type source for our study. This book refers the main dictionary for the proto historic cultures. According to this source Black & red ware culture is sandwiched between the ochre coloure pottery culture and Painted grey ware culture. There were the large amounts of the artifacts diagrammed in this book. R. C. Gaur, Excavation at Bulandshahar Kiratpur OCP Site/ Unique Copper hoard Culture, This excavation report is very unique to describe Ochre colour pottery culture. Kiratpur is the single cultural site. Some differnts shapes of potteries which is not including in Atranjikhera excavation report have been entered in this report. Vibha Tripathi, Painted Grey Ware: Northern India, This source is very relevant to aforesaid thesis. To focused the third phase (Painted grey ware culture) are very deeply. Thus this book is relevant to the present research because it is directly concerned with many ideas for the thesis. K. C. Jain, Pre history and Proto history of India, This book helped to sketch to basic structure of the archeology profile of India. This book is very important to my aforesaid research which were regarding to Proto historic period of India. Proto history (Ochre coloure pottery, Black & Red ware, Painted grey ware, and Northern Black Polished ware cultures) and many others Indian regional cultures profiles have been vastly described in this book. Linda Ellis, Archaeological Method and theory and Encyclopedia This is one of the best source is about to know archaeology. This source refers for the very deep knowledge of archaeological method, theory, termanology, exploration process. Archaeological excavation process, tools, scalling and many other relevant topics entitled in this book. This book helped to sketch to basic knowledge of the archeology. This book is very important to my aforesaid research which were regarding to archaeology term. Indian Archaeology- A review This source is very relevant to aforesaid thesis. To focused the archaeological exploration work before this study are very relevant. In different time many explorers taken exploration and excavator taken excavation in the aforesaid district or aforesaid topic. Thus this book is relevant to the present research because it is directly concerned with many ideas for the thesis. Apart of that so many sources have been consulted which were admitted in bibliography.

Surface Survey at Pakhaudana

Archaeological surface survey is aimed identification of human past life span. For the successful execution of the present survey a number of factors are as follows, when we reached this site first time, this surveyed area was marked by GPS (Global Positioning System) with the help of Google Maps. At this mound an intrusive surveyed (It mean different things, in some cases artifacts and archaeological valued material were collected).  Huge vegetation from this site and topographically of aforesaid mound.  There are so many pieces of potsherds, artifacts and some big baked mud structure found from this habitational mound during this surveyed.

Finding- During the course of archaeological survey of the Pakhaudana village, These artifacts especially potteries have been discovered. The analysis of pottery pieces and theirs drawing are given below.

Ochre Colour Pottery Phase: - This is the 1^st phase of the proto historic period. These were finding of the OCP phase-

S.No.-01-

Figure No. – 02: OCP Basin

S. No.    -    02

Type      -   OCP Basin

Colour  -   Red        

Fabric  -  Coarse fabric

Rim     -   Prominently out turned

Slip    -  unslipped

Reference  -  ARJ, Figure No. - 01, I/B-01 (Gaur, R.C., Excavation at Atranjikhera Motilal Banarsidass, Indological Publishers, Delhi, 1983)

 S.No.-03

Figure No. – 03: OCP Bowl

 S. No.    -   01          

Type       -   OCP Bowl

Colour   -   Dull red

Fabric   -    Coarse fabric      

Rim      -    Vertical and featureless

Slip      -    unslipped

Reference  -  ARJ, Figure No. - 29, I/B-22 (Gaur, R.C., Excavation at  Atranjikhera Motilal Banarsidass, Indological Publishers, Delhi, 1983)

 Black and Red Ware Phase: - This is the 2^nd phase of the proto historic period. These were finding of the B&RW phase-

S.No.- 01

Figure No. – 01: B&RW Vessel

S. No.     -    01

Type       -   B&RW Vessel

Colour    -   Dull red

Fabric    -   Coarse fabric

Rim       -   Out-turned, thickened and featureless

Slip       -  Unslipped

Reference -   ARJ, Figure No. - 04, II/VL-2 (Gaur, R.C.,  Excavation at Atranjikhera Motilal Banarsidass, Indological Publishers, Delhi, 1983)

S.No.-02

Figure No. – 02:  B&RW Dish

S. No.     -   02

Type      -  B&RW Dishes

Colour  -  Dull red

Fabric   -  Medium fabric

Rim      -   Vertical and featureless

Slip      -   Unslipped

Reference  -   ARJ, Figure No. - 28, II/D-18 (Gaur, R.C.,  Excavation at Atranjikhera Motilal Banarsidass, Indological Publishers, Delhi, 1983)

Painted Grey Ware Phase: - This is the 3^rd phase of the proto historic period. These were finding of the PGW phase-

S. No.-1

Figure No. – 01: PGW Basin

S. No.   -    01

Type    -    PGW Basin

Colour -   Red

Fabric  -   Medium

Rim     -  Incurved roughly clubbed

Slip     -    Unslipped

Reference -  ARJ, Figure No. - 20, III/BN-15 (Gaur, R.C., Excavation at Atranjikhera Motilal Banarsidass, Indological Publishers, Delhi, 1983)

S. No.-2

Figure No. – 02: PGW Arrow Head

S. No.   -   02

Type     -   PGW Arrow Head

Design  -   Fine point, Socketed, Elliptical cross section, lustrous

Reference -    ARJ, Figure No. - 04, III/-3 (Gaur, R.C.,  Excavation at Atranjikhera Motilal Banarsidass, Indological Publishers, Delhi, 1983)

 S. No.-3

Figure No. – 03: PGW Bowl

S. No.    -   03

Type    -   PGW Bowl

Colour -   Grey

Fabric  -  Fine fabric

Rim     -   Slightly Inturned and thickened

Slip     -   Unslipped

Reference  -   ARJ, Figure No. - 43, III/ B-25 (Gaur, R.C.,  Excavation at Atranjikhera Motilal Banarsidass, Indological Publishers, Delhi, 1983)

Northern Black Polished ware Phase: - This is the 4^th phase of the proto historic period. These were finding of the PGW phase-

Figure No. – 01: NBPW Storage Jar

S. No.  -    01

Type    -    NBPW Storage Jar

Colour  -   Red ware

Fabric -  Coarse fabric

Rim     -  Flaring and featureless

Slip    -   Unslipped

Reference - ARJ, Figure No. - 17, IV/J-13 (Gaur, R.C.,  Excavation at Atranjikhera Motilal Banarsidass, Indological Publishers, Delhi, 1983)

Figure No. – 02: NBPW Basin

S. No.   -  02

Type    -   NBPW Basin

Colour  - Red

Fabric  -  Medium

Rim  -   Inturned and nail headed

Slip  -   Slipped

Reference - ARJ, Figure No. - 26, IV/BN-14 (Gaur, R.C.,  Excavation at  Atranjikhera Motilal Banarsidass, Indological Publishers, Delhi, 1983)

The research methodology is essential qualitative historical investigation and critical analysis, with an exploratory qualitative research process depending on primary, secondary and archaeological sources.

Artefacts especially potteries

The researcher mainly takes on primary sources, which is important in any historical research in order to get authentic and reliable information. The exploration process provides very few data as compared to excavation of the sites. Beside of that artefacts, which were collected from a large number of sites by the process of exploration, can provide a good settlement pattern. This research mainly depends on archaeological sources. The most important archaeological sources are artefacts especially potteries.

This research set the order of proto historic cultures like Ochre coloure pottery culture succeeded by Black & Red ware culture succeeded by Painted grey ware culture and these are succeeded by Northern Black Polished ware culture in village Pakhodana.

In 1st phase the main colour on potteries were red, ochorous, buff red, and dull red. There are various shapes of the potteries bowl, basin, dish, vessel, and ribs of potteries have been explored. Some pieces of grey and dark red potteries found in 1st phase in some sites. Some potteries are well fire and some potteries are hard baked. There were one brick was explored from Pakhodana village. The 2nd phase (Black & Red ware) habitat in very thin line at mound. The both colour of Black & Red have been found at same surface of pottery. Most of potteries were wheel-made, red coloure outside and black colour inside. This could be resulted after processing of inverted fire. These potteries have characterized with fully and partially black inside and dull red to buff red in external skin. At that processed being fire and smog inside potteries is black and outside containing oxidation coloure would be red. The painted tradition of the potteries very differs from each of BRW sites in India. This Cultural level was found between Ochre colour pottery and Painted Grey ware cultural level. Bowl, basin, vessel, dish and vase, these were the main shapes of the potteries which have been explored. In the 2nd phase some figures were seems to close red ware potteries. These potteries have tapering slide, flaring slide and clubbed rim. The 3rd phase has been assigned the time horizon of 1200 to 600 BCE. Historians were suggested this phase as 2nd urbanization in Indian context. PGW phase was succeeded BRW culture and proceeded by Northern Black Polished ware. This PGW pottery was made of very fine materials. These potteries have been show very fine and smooth texture. Its reflects grey and silver grey in colour and smooth surface with matt finish. With the local clay effect some regional potteries were red in colour. The peoples of this aforesaid culture were well matured in about fire techniques. This fire technique had composed of high temperature and pots turn process. These incised potteries have incised with geometric design, dots, circle, wave, checks, dashes, and many natural motifs etc. During this phase the neck of the potteries is very simple but its figs have various design. Mostly rim shaped inturned, slightly inturned or incurved. Bowl, basin, vessel, dish and vase, storage jar, plate, and painted design these were the main shapes of the potteries which have been explored. Bowl and dish shapes were the most common finding. Some design of Banas culture from Rajasthan like wavy line was explored here. One arrow head was explored from village Pakhodana in khair tehsil. This phase is preceded by the Painted Grey Ware phase. This NBPW culture covered big time frame in Indian history. This culture stretched from 600 BCE to 50 CE. It was a pottery with superfine polished. It is very thin, minimum size with 1.5 mm. This deluxe pottery are wheel made, well fired made and of with well levigated clay. These potteries have shine skin look like metallic polished. This shine look of potteries has result from oil polishing. Archaeologist suggested that iron oxide and some plant extract or juice were rubbing on potteries and after that it were in fire processed. The impression on the surface of the potteries with dots, circle, semi-circle, wavy lines, and some other motifs. Bowl, basin, vessel, dish, vase, these were the main shapes of the potteries which have been explored. Bowl and dish shapes were the most common finding. The main shapes of rim are straight, tapering and convex. The period from OCP to NBPW is proved for the agricultural development along with increasing of population, cultural plurality, social mobility and social progress, technique progress, development of art and architecture and economic development and prosperity. To sum up, Pakhodana is the typical proto historic site.

1. Agarwal, D.P., Archaeology of India. New Delhi: Select Book Service Syndicate, 1984. 2. Agarwal, D.P., Copper Bronze Age in India. Delhi: Munshiram, 1971. 3. Agrawal, D.P., Chakabarti, D.K. Essay of Indian Proto-History. Delhi: B.R. Publication, 1979. 4. Allchin B, Allchin, Raymond. origin of a civilization: The Prehistory and early archaeology of south asia. New Delhi: Viking, 1997. 5. Ann, Kipper Barbara. Archaeological feildwork. USA: Blackwell Publication, 2007. 6. Chakrabarti, D. K., Oxford Companion to India Archaeology: Stone age to 13th century. New Delhi: OUP Publication, 2006. 7. Chakrabarti, Dilip Kumar. Archaeological geography of the Ganga plain: The lower and middle Ganga. Delhi: Permanent Black, 2001. 8. Dasgupta, Nupur. The Down of technology in Indian Protohistory. Calcutta: Punthi Pustak, 1997. 9. Dhavalikar, M. K. A Comprehensive History of India. New Delhi: Mnaohar Publishers & Distributors, 2013. 10. Gaur, R. C., Atranjikhera Excavation. Delhi: Motilal, 1983. 11. Gaur, R. C. , Excavation at Bulandshahar Kiratpur OCP Site/ Unique Copper hoard Culture. Jaipur: Jaipur Publication Scheeme, 1995. 12. Jain, K.C. Prehitory and Protohistory of India. New Delhi: Agam Kala Prakashan, 1979. 13. Nautiyal, K.P. Protohistoric India. New Delhi: Agam Kala Prakashan, 1989. 14. Singh, Purushottam. Archaeology of the Ganga Plain. Simla: Indian Institute of Advanced Study, 2010. 15. Indian Archaeology- A review 16. Avari, Burjor, India: The Ancient Past, A history of the Indian sub-continent from c. 7000 BC to AD 1200, Routledge, London & New York, 2007,