Contents: Preface. I. Introduction : 1. Study area. 2. Review of archaeological studies in Bogra district. 3. Objectives. 4. Methodology. 5. Plan of the book. II. Environmental Background : 1. Introduction. 2. Geology and landforms. 3. Drainage : A. Rivers. B. Bils and tanks. C. Water-table. 4. Soils. 5. Climate : A. Temperature and humidity. B. Rainfall. C. Flood. D. Drought. 6. Flora. 7. Fauna. III. Historical outline. IV. Exploration & excavation in Bogra district : 1. Introduction. 2. Site description. 3. Trial excavations at Govinda Bhita and Kansher Dhap : A. Govinda Bhita. B. Kansher Dhap. V. Cultural materials : 1. Ceramics : A. Northern black polished ware. B. Rouletted ware. C. Glazed ware. D. Ancient ceramics. 2. Terracotta artifacts : A. Terracotta plaques. B. Terracotta beads and net sinkers. C. Terracotta balls. D. Terracotta discs. E. Terracotta ring wells. F. Terracotta seals and sealings. 3. Semi-precious stone beads. 4. Glass beads. 5. Sculpture. 6. Inscriptions. 7. Coins. 8. Metal artifacts. 9. Architecture. 10. Bricks. 11. Mortar and plaster. 12. Tiles. VI. Settlement patterns and systems : 1. Settlement patterns and systems in archaeology : a brief history. 2. Limitations. 3. Size and distribution of sites. 4. Factors affecting settlement patterns. VII. Conclusions :1. Conclusions. 2. Scope for further research. VIII. Bibliography. IX. Appendix I : Master chart of archaeological sites of Bogra district. X. Appendix II : Dimensions of bricks and nature of mortar from sites in Bogra district. XI. Appendix III : Dimensions of bricks from selected sites of the subcontinent. XII. Index.
"The value of Dr. Rahman’s work lies in the fact that the examined first hand the sites with a critical eye evaluating the evidence afresh, determining chronology where permissible. He took extra-ordinary initiative of making trial trenches at two spots and correlating the excavated finds with those found in exploration. The area was wholly or partly studied by earlier authors. Dr. Rahman, an archaeologist of younger generation, being equipped with advanced ideas is unhesitant in depreciating works of such predecessors. His evaluation may be taken as comparative technical incompetence of those pioneer works. This study encompasses sites belonging to a period from early historic to early mediaeval and examines the ecological setting. Documenting the datable materials along with a close study of geographical elements is its particular focus. The resultant reconstruction of the cultural sequence in the regional context and the recognition of the settlement patterns are no less significant. Those familiar with Bangladesh archaeology will be particularly thrilled by the discovery of northern black polished ware and the Rouletted ware at quite a few places by Dr. Rahman during his investigation within the study area. The survey sites being time and again related to Mahasthangarh or Pundranagar, the earliest urban site of Bengal, the central role of the ancient metropolis becomes more spectacular as well as meaningful.
The present work will remain as a basic source book for the Bangladesh archaeology and the field oriented students will find it as a model for their further work." (jacket)
