Early Historic Bhon: Vidarbha, Maharashtra (Excavations 2003–07)

Early Historic Bhon, Vidarbha, Maharashtra (Excavations 2003–07) presents a landmark archaeological study that documents the results of five seasons of excavations conducted at Bhon, an early historic settlement located in the Purna Basin of Vidarbha. This volume marks the first systematic exploration of the region’s early urban development through a multidisciplinary lens, combining traditional excavation with advanced scientific and analytical methods.

The research, led by scholars from the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, and supported by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), offers a comprehensive insight into the cultural, economic, and technological evolution of early historic Vidarbha.

The study meticulously examines aspects such as:

• Stratigraphy and structural remains revealing urban planning and architectural traditions.

• Pottery and material culture, including Northern Black Polished Ware, red-slipped wares, and molded artifacts.

• Numismatic evidence, indicating trade and monetary systems.

• Plant and animal remains, reflecting agricultural practices and subsistence strategies.

• Scientific analyses, such as XRD and anthrosol chemistry, offering data on local resource utilization and environmental adaptation.

Together, these findings illuminate a sophisticated urban lifestyle at Bhon — complete with water management, sanitation, craft specialization, and religious activity — and establish the site’s importance within the broader framework of the early historic civilizations of central India.