Excavations at Pakkakot: 2010-11 to 2015-16
The present monograph embodies a detailed account of the archaeological excavations carried out during 2010-11 to 2015-16 by the Banaras Hindu University under the direction of the author at the ancient settlement of Pakkakot situated on the choti saryu (Tons) river in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh. Five field seasons of excavation have revealed the existence of continuous human habitation from about 5 millennium B.C.E. to 15" century C.E. without having a cultural break. This long period of human civilization has exposed six periods of cultural levels, each having distinct characteristics with pottery and Antiquities.
In general the excavation has contributed in sum the features of Urban life in all aspects which in a way represent for the Middle Ganga Plain's cultural stratigraphy. The first period beginning from the earliest Neolithic, followed by Chalcolithic, and further succeeding NBP culture and developing into a township with Kushana Habitation extending to second century C.E. and later with the characteristics of rich cultural elements otherwise called - "Gupta" traditions extending upto the fifth century C.E. Further habitation continues upto the medieval period with some distinct features but the site was not fully occupied limited to some portion datable to 15" century C.E. This is confirmed by the findings of the glazed ceramics and the use of lakhauri bricks.
The fact that Pakkakot was situated on a major trade route and was connected with the Ganga flowing nearby with its tributary Chhoti Saryu (Tons), clearly indicate the settlement had the facility of using the river for the purposes of transport having a wharf and landing facilities for trading activities and facilitating the riverine communication. This evidence is unique and reporting for the first time.
The excavations has revealed major discoveries affiliated to Buddhist traditions in the form of: Monastery and a Chaityagriha built in brick exposing complete details. All these structural and cultural aspects resulted in making Pakkakot an important urban canter of Middle Ganga plain.
It is hoped that this excavation will work as a model and give further impetus to new researches for understanding the Archaeology of the Ganga plains.
