In 1974, French archaeologist Jean-François Jarrige and Richard H. Meadow, head of the Pakistan Department of Archaeology, discovered the remains of the Mehergarh civilization in the Kacchi Plain of Balochistan, Pakistan. This region is located on the west side of the Indus River and extends to the Bolan River.
According to data obtained by radiocarbon-14 tests, the expansion period of this civilization is approximately from 7000 BC to 2500 BC (Neolithic era). The Mehergarh civilization is one of the best and oldest of the Neolithic era.
Information about the Mehergarh civilization
Location and Expansion: Although it was originally developed in the area near the Bolan Pass in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, this civilization spread from the southern valley of the Zhob River in Balochistan to the entire western part of the Indus River.
Various centers: The first traces of this civilization were found in the main center Mehergarh, thus the name of this civilization Mehergarh civilization. Other notable centers of this civilization located in the Kutch plain of the Indus Valley are – Tarkaikhella, Sherikhan Tarkaikh, Ranaghundai, Kotdiji, Kilegal Muhammad, Kachchibeg, Nausera, Pazishah, Nundara, Amrinal, Kulli, etc.
Archaeological materials found: Small human figures, humpbacked bulls, bone needles, cattle figurines, small shells, stoves for keeping houses warm, barns, swastika symbols, shells of marine animals, etc. have been discovered.
Different stages and characteristics of Mehrgarh civilization
First stage/level [Period – 7000 BC to 5000 BC]
- People were Semi-nomadic.
- The people of Mehergarh cultivated two types of food grains, barley and wheat.
- Evidence of separate granaries built for storing surplus food grains has been found.
- They used cows, goats, sheep, and humpbacked bulls for animal husbandry.
- Stone millstones and grinding tools have been found in this culture.
- The oldest agricultural implements are the sickle made of bitumen-like stone, among other items, were pots, pestles, mortars, hoes and various small stone tools.
- In this civilization, people used to build houses with bricks or clay of equal size baked in the sun.
- Because of the coastal area’s closeness to Mehergarh, sea oysters used to visit this location.
- However, the Baidurya stones from Afghanistan and the turquoise were likely transported from Central Asia or Persia.
Second stage/level [Period – 5000 BC to 4000 BC]
- In the second stage, in addition to signs of domesticated animals and agricultural production, signs of pottery, handicrafts and sewn clothes have been found.
- The burnt cotton seeds found here prove that the people of that time were familiar with ‘cotton’. This is considered to be the oldest sign of cotton cultivation in India and the world.
- The jewelry industry flourished during this time. Small conch shells, turquoise, carnelian, lapis lazuli, etc., are found in the garlands made of precious stones.
- It was discovered that goats, sheep, and cattle were domesticated animals.
- Earthenware was used extensively.
- Later, in approximately 4000 AD, the wheel was invented, making it simpler to create pottery.
Third stage/level
- The important technological information of this stage is that at this time people were able to extract usable copper from copper ore.
- It was during this time that they were engaged in commercial transactions along with agriculture.
- The people of Mehergarh first got used to making name stamps or seals at this level.
- From these, it can be assumed that an administrative infrastructure including trade and commerce was developed during the period.
- Another notable feature of the third level is the creation of nude or semi-nude female statues made of terracotta.
- These statues can also be seen in large numbers in the archaeological evidence of the later Indus or Harappan civilizations.
- Basically, the third stage of this civilization can be identified as the Copper-Stone Age.
- At least fourteen terracotta pans and ovens were found for smelting copper.
Fourth to Seventh Stage/Level [Duration- 3500 BC to 2500 BC]
- During this period, the use of terracotta increased greatly. The Mehergarh civilization reached its peak in this period.
- During this period, artistic thinking is found in single-colored, two-colored, or multi-colored fired pottery.
- Excellence in technical production occurred. The location of two-story and three-story row houses in various centers of this civilization also indicates advanced civic life.
- There is proof that cutting canals were used during this time to irrigate fields.