Pottery in India

Pottery production began in the Neolithic period. Pottery was used to store food grains and milk and to cook food. In the early days, pots were made entirely by hand. After the invention of the wheel, it began to be used in pottery making. Many pots have been found at Harappan sites. This indicates that pottery making was well developed and potters were the main category of artisans. Pottery was made using the wheel.

Pottery was one of the most important material remains found at excavation sites. Pottery is often called the 'alphabet' of archaeology. Pottery or its fragments never decay. Their age can also be determined using the method of 'thermoluminescence'. Archaeologists often use pottery to distinguish between different populations that inhabited ancient India. Various types of pottery have been excavated from different parts of India. They can be classified into four types.

1. Saffron-colored pottery

The period of saffron-colored pottery dates back to between 2000 and 1000 BC. Such pottery has been excavated from many parts of North India. Saffron-colored pottery has been excavated from a type of clay mixed with sand. Saffron-colored pottery is made from a type of clay mixed with sand. This represents the agricultural community that lived in the post-Harappan period.

2. Black-red pottery

The period of black-red pottery dates back to 2400 BC. The inner part and the outer neck of such pottery are black in color, and the remaining parts are red. This represents an ancient people who were advanced in iron processing.

3. Grey variegated pottery

The most widely used variegated pottery is grey variegated. It is characterized by black and dark chocolate colors. So far, about forty-two designs of PGM pottery have been found. Most of them are cup and plate types. They are associated with a better agricultural society that used iron.

4. Black and shiny pottery

The black and shiny pottery dates back to between 800 and 500 BC. It is well polished and richly decorated. It is believed that this pottery was used only by the wealthy. It gives evidence of the 'second urbanization' of India.