Atranjikhera
Atranji Khera · Atranjikhera Painted Grey Ware Site · Kali Nadi Settlement
OCP 1200 → PGW 1100–600 → NBPW 600–300 BCE·Upper Gangetic OCP → PGW → NBPW (Gangetic Iron Age)·🇮🇳 Uttar Pradesh, Etah District, Jalesar Tehsil, left bank of Kali Nadi tributary of Ganga near Atranjikhera village 15 km north of Etah, India
About
About Atranjikhera
Atranjikhera — PGW–NBPW stratigraphic type-site (1200 BCE–300 BCE) on Kali Nadi near Etah, excavated 1962–69 by R.C. Gaur (AMU). Deepest Gangetic sequence: Ochre Coloured Pottery → Black-and-Red Ware → Painted Grey Ware → NBPW → Sunga with 10 m continuous deposit. First site to show PGW as Iron Age horizon with iron in Upper Ganga. yielded iron arrowheads, NBPW, punch-marked coins, and evidence of rice cultivation. Key to Gangetic Iron Age chronology linking Hastinapura to Kausambi. Chronology-type for PGW→NBPW transition.
Why it mattersGangetic Iron Age stratigraphic type-site — defines OCP→PGW→NBPW sequence with iron
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01PGW iron source — local or imported?
Theories
- 01Gangetic Iron Age indigenous iron transition per Gaur
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.1200 BCE OCP phase; PGW 1100 BCE
- Period
- OCP 1200 → PGW 1100–600 → NBPW 600–300 BCE
- Culture
- Upper Gangetic OCP → PGW → NBPW (Gangetic Iron Age)
- Builders
- Gangetic Iron Age farmers (PGW artisans)
- Purpose
- Stratigraphic type-village documenting PGW→NBPW Iron Age transition on Ganga plain
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.1200 BCE
OCP occupation
c.1100–600 BCE
PGW Iron Age with iron arrowheads
c.600–300 BCE
NBPW and punch-marked coins
1962–69
R.C. Gaur excavations define Gangetic sequence
On the ground
Structures & features
27.6927° N · 78.6895° E · 175 m · 2 mapped features
Lower PGW Levels (Northern Sector)
settlement1100–600 BCE PGW horizon with painted grey ware and iron north
27.6937° N · 78.6887° EUpper NBPW Levels (Southern Sector)
settlement600–300 BCE NBPW horizon with Northern Black Polished Ware south
27.6912° N · 78.6906° E