Adam Wainganga Mound
Adam Mound Nagpur · Adam Archaeological Mound Kuhi
Chalcolithic 1300–1200 → Early Iron Age 1200–300 BCE·Vidarbha Chalcolithic → Iron Age transition — Adam facies·🇮🇳 Maharashtra, Nagpur District, Kuhi Taluka, Adam village on Nag River 53 km SE of Nagpur and 2 km from Kuhi on Kuhi–Varoda road, Wainganga basin, Vidarbha, India
About
About Adam Wainganga Mound
Adam Wainganga Mound — Iron Age Chalcolithic–Megalithic transition site (1300–300 BCE) on Nag River at Kuhi, first recognized Chalcolithic-to-Iron Age mound in Vidarbha, excavated 1988–89 and revisited 2013–14 Khopadi survey by Deccan College (Shete–Pawar). Adam revealed Pre-Iron Black-and-Red Ware Chalcolithic → Early Iron Age (1200–700 BCE) with iron smelting, black polished ware, and megalithic burials nearby at Khairwada–Mahurjhari. Preceding Iron Age Deccan, Adam links Central Indian Chalcolithic to Vidarbha megalithic. 7–9 ha mound along Nag river with ash layers.
Why it mattersVidarbha transition type-site — defines Chalcolithic to Iron Age and megalithic antecedence
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chalcolithic–Iron hiatus length
Theories
- 01Vidarbha independent iron invention
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1300 BCE Chalcolithic Black-and-Red phase; Iron Age 1200 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic 1300–1200 → Early Iron Age 1200–300 BCE
- Culture
- Vidarbha Chalcolithic → Iron Age transition — Adam facies
- Builders
- Vidarbha transitional agro-pastoralists and smiths
- Purpose
- Transition hamlet controlling Nag River iron and Deccan–Malwa exchange
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1300 BCE
Chalcolithic Black-and-Red hamlet
c.1200 BCE
Iron smelting inception and ash pits
1988–89
Deo excavations define transition
On the ground
Structures & features
21.0341° N · 79.3677° E · 280 m · 2 mapped features
Northern Chalcolithic Terrace
settlementBlack-and-Red Chalcolithic house floors on northern Nag River terrace
21.0350° N · 79.3680° ESouthern Iron Smelting Area
workshopIron furnace pits and slag heap on southern mound toe
21.0330° N · 79.3670° E