Amri, Sindh: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:34, 30 May 2025

Template:Infobox archaeological site Amri is an ancient settlement in modern-day Sindh, Pakistan, that goes back to 3600 BCE. The site is located south of Mohenjo Daro on Hyderabad-Dadu Road more than 100 kilometres north of Hyderabad, Pakistan.

Cultural context[edit | edit source]

Amri is a type site for Amri culture which developed in Sindh during 4th millennium BCE. Kot Diji and Amri are close to each other in Sindh, they earlier developed indigenous culture which had common elements, later they came in contact with Harappan culture and fully developed into mature phase of Indus Valley Civilisation.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

Archaeology[edit | edit source]

Prehistoric Amri-Nal culture is attributed to the dual typesites of Amri and Nal. This site had multi-level structures, although it was never a big city.^[2]

Pre-Harappan stage[edit | edit source]

Situated near the foothills of Kirthar Mountains, this was an important earlier urban center in Lower Sindh. Amri is close to Balochistan where development of earlier farming communities from 6000 BC to 4000 BC ultimately led to urbanization. The ancient mounds of 8 hectares on the west bank of Indus River have been extensively excavated. The earliest phase was a fortified town that flourished from 3600 to 3300 BC, and belonged to the Pre-Harappan stage of the Indus Valley civilization. Amri is dated after Rehman Dheri. The pottery discovered here had its own characteristics and is known as Amri Ware. Sohr Damb (Nal) is a related site in Balochistan to the west of Amri. Their pottery is sometimes collectively described as 'Amri-Nal ware'. Like other Pre Harappa towns, no writings were found at this site. Evidence indicates widespread fire at the town around 2500 BCE.

Later phases[edit | edit source]

In period II (ca. 2750-2450 BC), more and more elements of Indus Valley culture appear.
Period III (ca. 2450-1900 BC) belongs almost entirely to Indus Valley culture.
Period IV (ca. 1900-1300 BC) is marked by the mingling of cultural traditions. Elements of the Jhukar culture appear, and co-exist with the last phase of the Indus Valley culture.^[5] Later, the elements of Jhangar culture appear.
Period V is Muslim and dated much later.

Based on the evidence from this site, Indus culture was probably not developed directly from Amri culture. Also, at least at this location, rather than suddenly being replaced by the Amri culture, there was a co-existence of both cultures.

References[edit | edit source]

↑ Charles Keith Maisels, Early Civilizations of the Old World: The Formative Histories of Egypt, The Levant, Mesopotamia, India and China. Routledge, 2003 ISBN 1134837305
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Higham, Charles (1 January 2009). Encyclopedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations. Infobase Publishing. pp. 9–. ISBN 978-1-4381-0996-1.
↑ Sigfried J. de Laet, Ahmad Hasan Dani, eds. History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C. UNESCO, 1996 ISBN 9231028111 p.674
↑ Tejas Garge (2010), Sothi-Siswal Ceramic Assemblage: A Reappraisal. Ancient Asia. 2, pp.15–40. doi:10.5334/aa.10203
↑ de Laet, Sigfried J.; Dani, Ahmad Hasan (1994). History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C. UNESCO. pp. 674–. ISBN 978-92-3-102811-3.

External links[edit | edit source]

Dales, George; Kenoyer, Jonathan Mark; Alcock, Leslie (1 January 1986). Excavations at Mohenjo Daro, Pakistan: The Pottery, With an Account of the Pottery from the 1950 Excavations of Sir Mortimer Wheeler. UPenn Museum of Archaeology. pp. 7–. ISBN 978-0-934718-52-3.
Ancient History
J.M. Casal: Fouilles d’Amri, Paris 1964

Template:Indus Valley civilization 25°54′35″N 67°55′25″E / 25.90972°N 67.92361°E / 25.90972; 67.92361

[dd1-1] Charles Keith Maisels, Early Civilizations of the Old World: The Formative Histories of Egypt, The Levant, Mesopotamia, India and China. Routledge, 2003 ISBN 1134837305

[Higham2009-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Higham, Charles (1 January 2009). Encyclopedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations. Infobase Publishing. pp. 9–. ISBN 978-1-4381-0996-1.

[dd2-3] Sigfried J. de Laet, Ahmad Hasan Dani, eds. History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C. UNESCO, 1996 ISBN 9231028111 p.674

[tej1-4] Tejas Garge (2010), Sothi-Siswal Ceramic Assemblage: A Reappraisal. Ancient Asia. 2, pp.15–40. doi:10.5334/aa.10203

[LaetDani1994-5] Laet, Sigfried J.; Dani, Ahmad Hasan (1994). History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C. UNESCO. pp. 674–. ISBN 978-92-3-102811-3.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:A mound of Amri.JPG|thumb|A mound of Amri]]
+{{Short description|Ancient settlement in Sindh province of Pakistan}}
+{{Infobox archaeological site
+| name             = Amri
+| alternate_name   = Amri, Sindh
+| image            = A mound of Amri.JPG
+| alt              =
+| caption          = A mound of Amri
+| coordinates      =
+| location         = [[Sindh]], [[Pakistan]]
+| region           =
+| type             = Ancient settlement
+| length           =
+| width            =
+| area             = 8 hectares
+| height           =
+| builder          =
+| material         =
+| built            = [[3600 BC]]
+| abandoned        =
+| epochs           = [[Pre-Harappan]], [[Indus Valley]], Jhukar, [[Jhangar]]
+| condition        = [[Archeological site]]
+| ownership        =
+| public_access    =
+| website          =
+|map={{mapframe|frame=yes|type=point|{{Coord||}}|text=|zoom=SWITCH:5,7,13|switch=zoomed out, zoomed mid, zoomed in}}|native_name_lang=hi, pa, ur|native_name=[[:ur:آمری|آمری]]}}
 '''Amri''' is an ancient settlement in modern-day [[Sindh, Pakistan]], that goes back to 3600 BCE. The site is located south of [[Mohenjo-daro|Mohenjo Daro]] on [[Hyderabad, Pakistan|Hyderabad]]-[[Dadu, Pakistan|Dadu]] Road more than 100 kilometres north of [[Hyderabad, Pakistan]].
-{{Location map | Pakistan
-| alt     = Amri.
-| lat_deg = 25.54
-| lon_deg = 67.55
-}}
 ==Cultural context ==
 {{see also | Archaeological culture | Chronological dating | l2= Archaeological cultural dating | Phase (archaeology) |  l3= Phases in archaeology | Pottery_in_the_Indian_subcontinent#Signifiance | l4= Tools and technology of archaeology | Pottery in the Indian subcontinent | l5= Pottery culture in Indian subcontinent }}
-The earliest site of this culture is Kunal (4000 BCE)<ref name=asi1/> in Haryana which is older than Rehman Dheri (3300 BCE).<ref name=un1/> The ''type site'', the first excavated site of this type of culture is [[Kot Diji]].<ref name=dd1/> Rehman Dheri, which was considered oldest example of this culture, is now the second oldest example of this culture after Kunal was excavated and found to be older than Rehman Dher with similar older cultural artifacts then the Rehman Dheri.<ref name=asi1/>
+Amri is a [[type site]] for [[Amri culture]] which developed in Sindh during 4th millennium BCE. [[Kot Diji]] and Amri are close to each other in Sindh, they earlier developed indigenous culture which had common elements, later they came in contact with Harappan culture and fully developed into mature phase of [[Indus Valley Civilisation]].<ref name=dd1>Charles Keith Maisels, [https://books.google.com/books?id=I2dgI2ijww8C&pg=PA216 ''Early Civilizations of the Old World: The Formative Histories of Egypt, The Levant, Mesopotamia, India and China.''] Routledge, 2003 {{ISBN|1134837305}}</ref><ref name="Higham2009">{{cite book|first=Charles |last=Higham|title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=H1c1UIEVH9gC|page=9}}|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-1-4381-0996-1|pages=9–}}</ref><ref name=dd2>Sigfried J. de Laet, Ahmad Hasan Dani, eds. [https://books.google.com/books?id=BnY0KYbJC6wC&pg=PA674 ''History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C.''] UNESCO, 1996 {{ISBN|9231028111}} p.674</ref><ref name=tej1>Tejas Garge (2010), [http://www.ancient-asia-journal.com/articles/10.5334/aa.10203/ Sothi-Siswal Ceramic Assemblage: A Reappraisal.] Ancient Asia. 2, pp.15–40. {{doi|10.5334/aa.10203|doi-access=free}}</ref>
-Kot Diji and Amri are close to each other in Sindh, they earlier developed indigenous culture which had common elements, later they came in contact with Harappan culture and fully developed into Harappan culture. Earliest examples of artifacts belonging to this culture were found at Rehman Dheri, however, later excavations found the oldest example of this culture at Kunal. These are cultural ancestor to site at [[Harappa]]. These sites have pre-Harappan indigenous cultural levels, distinct from the culture of Harappa, these are at Banawali (level I), Kot Diji (level 3A), Amri (level II). Rehman Dheri also has a pre Kot Diji phase (RHD1 3300-28 BCE) which are not part of IVC culture. Kot Diji has two later phases that continue into and alongside Mature Harappan Phase (RHDII and RHDII 2500-2100 BCE). Fortified towns found here are dated as follows.<ref name=dd1>Charles Keith Maisels, [https://books.google.ca/books?id=I2dgI2ijww8C&pg=PA216 ''Early Civilizations of the Old World: The Formative Histories of Egypt, The Levant, Mesopotamia, India and China.''] Routledge, 2003 {{ISBN|1134837305}}</ref><ref name=asi1/><ref name="Higham2009">{{cite book|first=Charles |last=Higham|title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=H1c1UIEVH9gC|page=9}}|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-1-4381-0996-1|pages=9–}}</ref><ref name=dd2>Sigfried J. de Laet, Ahmad Hasan Dani, eds. [https://books.google.com/books?id=BnY0KYbJC6wC&pg=PA674 ''History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C.''] UNESCO, 1996 {{ISBN|9231028111}} p.674</ref><ref name=tej1>Tejas Garge (2010), [http://www.ancient-asia-journal.com/articles/10.5334/aa.10203/ Sothi-Siswal Ceramic Assemblage: A Reappraisal.] Ancient Asia. 2, pp.15–40. {{DOI|10.5334/aa.10203}}</ref>
-* [[Kunal, Haryana|Kunal]] (5000/4000 BCE- ),<ref name=asi1/> in [[Hisar district]] of [[Haryana]] in India is the earliest site found with layers in phase I dating back to 5000 BCE<ref name=hargazc1>[http://revenueharyana.gov.in/Portals/0/hr-gaz-ch-5.pdf Haryana Gazateer], Revennue Dept of Haryana, Capter-V.</ref> and 4000 BCE,<ref name=asi1/> site's culture is an older ancestry of the Pre-Harappan site of Rehman Dheri which was dated to  3300 BC. A button seal was discovered at Kunal during 1998-99 excavations by [[Archaeological Survey of India]]. The seal is similar to the Rehman Dheri examples. It contained a picture of two deer on one side, and geometrical pattern on other side. The similar specimen from Rehman-Dheri is datable to {{circa|4000 BCE}}, which makes Kunal site an older ancestor of Rehman Dheri.<ref name=asi1>{{cite journal|last=Archaeological Survey of|first=India|title=Excavations at Kunal,Haryana|journal=Indian Archaeology 1998-99 a Review|year=2004|pages=11–12|url=http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201998-99%20A%20Review.pdf|access-date=13 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508064754/http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201998-99%20A%20Review.pdf|archive-date=8 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The second phase of Kunal corresponds to  ''post-[[neolithic]] phase of Hakra culture' (also called [[Periodisation_of_the_Indus_Valley_Civilisation#Early,_Mature_and_Late_Harappan|Early Harappan Phase, c.3300-2800 BCE or c.5000-2800 BCE]]) was also found.<ref name=ku1>[https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/museum-at-pre-harappan-site-soon-188106 Museum at pre-Harappan site soon], The Tribune, 23 Dec 2020.</ref>
-* [[Kot Diji]] (3300 BCE),<ref name=un1/> is the [[type site]], located in [[Sindh]] in Pakistan.
-* Amri (3600–3300 BCE), also has non-Harappan phases daring 6000 BC to 4000 BC, and later Harappan Phses till 1300 BCE.
-* [[Kalibangan]] (3500 BC – 2500 BC),<ref name=tej1/> in northwest Rajasthan in India on [[Hakra|Ghaggar]] River.
-* [[Rehman Dheri]], 3300 BCE,<ref name=un1>[[UNESCO]] [https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1877/ Karez System Cultural Landscape]</ref> near [[Dera Ismail Khan]] and close to [[Zhob River|River Zhob]] Valleyin [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] in Pakistan.
 ==Archaeology==
 {{see also | Pottery#Archaeology | l1= Archaeological analysis of pottery | Pottery#Fabric | l2= Fabric analysis of pottery }}
-Prehistoric [[Amri culture|Amri-Nal culture]] is attributed to the dual [[typesite]]s of Amri and [[Sohr Damb|Nal]].
+Prehistoric [[Amri culture|Amri-Nal culture]] is attributed to the dual [[typesite]]s of Amri and [[Sohr Damb|Nal]]. This site had multi-level structures, although it was never a big city.<ref name="Higham2009"/>
-This site had multi-level structures, although it was never a big city.<ref name="Higham2009">{{cite book|first=Charles |last=Higham|title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=H1c1UIEVH9gC|page=9}}|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-1-4381-0996-1|pages=9–}}</ref>
 ===Pre-Harappan stage===
-Situated near the foothills of [[Kirthar Mountains]], this was an important earlier urban center in Lower Sindh. Amri is close to [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]] where development of earlier farming communities from 6000 BC to 4000 BC ultimately led to urbanization.
+Situated near the foothills of [[Kirthar Mountains]], this was an important earlier urban center in Lower Sindh. Amri is close to [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]] where development of earlier farming communities from 6000 BC to 4000 BC ultimately led to urbanization. The ancient mounds of 8 hectares on the west bank of [[Indus River]] have been extensively excavated. The earliest phase was a fortified town that flourished from [[3600 BC|3600]] to [[3300 BC]], and belonged to the [[Pre-Harappan]] stage of the [[Indus Valley civilization]]. Amri is dated after [[Rehman Dheri]]. The pottery discovered here had its own characteristics and is known as ''Amri Ware''. [[Sohr Damb]] (Nal) is a related site in Balochistan to the west of Amri. Their pottery is sometimes collectively described as 'Amri-Nal ware'. Like other Pre Harappa towns, no writings were found at this site. Evidence indicates widespread fire at the town around 2500 BCE.
-The ancient mounds of 8 hectares on the west bank of [[Indus River]] have been extensively excavated. The earliest phase was a fortified town that flourished from [[3600 BC|3600]] to [[3300 BC]], and belonged to the [[Pre-Harappan]] stage of the [[Indus Valley civilization]]. Amri is dated after [[Rehman Dheri]].
-The pottery discovered here had its own characteristics and is known as ''Amri Ware''. [[Sohr Damb]] (Nal) is a related site in Balochistan to the west of Amri. Their pottery is sometimes collectively described as 'Amri-Nal ware'.
-Like other Pre Harappa towns, no writings were found at this site. Evidence indicates widespread fire at the town around 2500 BCE.
 ===Later phases===
-In period II (ca. 2750-2450 BC), more and more elements of Indus Valley culture appear.
-Period III (ca. 2450-1900 BC) belongs almost entirely to Indus Valley culture.
+* In period II (ca. 2750-2450 BC), more and more elements of Indus Valley culture appear.
+* Period III (ca. 2450-1900 BC) belongs almost entirely to Indus Valley culture.
-Period IV (ca. 1900-1300 BC) is marked by the mingling of cultural traditions. Elements of the [[Jhukar phase|Jhukar culture]] appear, and co-exist with the last phase of the Indus Valley culture.<ref name="LaetDani1994">{{cite book|first1=Sigfried J. |last1=de Laet|first2=Ahmad Hasan |last2=Dani|title=History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C.|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=BnY0KYbJC6wC|page=674}}|year=1994|publisher=UNESCO|isbn=978-92-3-102811-3|pages=674–}}</ref> Later, the elements of [[Jhangar culture]] appear.
+* Period IV (ca. 1900-1300 BC) is marked by the mingling of cultural traditions. Elements of the [[Jhukar phase|Jhukar culture]] appear, and co-exist with the last phase of the Indus Valley culture.<ref name="LaetDani1994">{{cite book|first1=Sigfried J. |last1=de Laet|first2=Ahmad Hasan |last2=Dani|title=History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C.|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=BnY0KYbJC6wC|page=674}}|year=1994|publisher=UNESCO|isbn=978-92-3-102811-3|pages=674–}}</ref> Later, the elements of [[Jhangar culture]] appear.
+* Period V is Muslim and dated much later.
-Period V is Muslim and dated much later.
 Based on the evidence from this site, Indus culture was probably not developed directly from Amri culture. Also, at least at this location, rather than suddenly being replaced by the Amri culture, there was a co-existence of both cultures.
@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 ==See also==
-* [[Indus Valley civilization]]
+* [[Indus Valley Civilization]]
+* [[List of Indus Valley Civilization sites]]
-* [[List of Indus Valley civilization sites]]
 ** [[Bhirrana]], 4 phases of IVC with earliest dated to 8th-7th millennium BCE
 ** [[Harappa]]
@@ Line 59: / Line 58: @@
 ** [[Mohenjo-daro|Mohenjo Daro]]
 ** [[Rakhigarhi]], one of the largest IVC city with 4 phases of IVC with earliest dated to 8th-7th millennium BCE
+* [[List of inventions and discoveries of the Indus Valley Civilization]]
-* [[List of inventions and discoveries of the Indus Valley civilization]]
+** [[Hydraulic engineering of the Indus Valley Civilization]]
-** [[Hydraulic engineering of the Indus Valley civilization]]
+** [[Sanitation of the Indus Valley Civilisation]]
-** [[Sanitation of the Indus Valley civilisation]]
+* [[Periodisation of the Indus Valley Civilisation]]
-* [[Periodisation of the Indus Valley civilisation]]
 * [[Pottery in the Indian subcontinent]]
 ** [[Bara culture]], subtype of Late-Harappan Phase
-** [[Black and red ware]], belonging to neolithic and Pre-Harappan phases
+** [[Black and red ware]], belonging to [[Neolithic]] and Pre-Harappan phases
 ** [[#Culture|Kunal culture]], subtype of Pre-Harappan Phase
 ** [[Siswal#Sothi|Sothi-Siswal culture]], subtype of Pre-Harappan Phase
@@ Line 86: / Line 82: @@
 [[Category:Hyderabad District, Pakistan]]
 [[Category:Archaeological sites in Sindh]]
-[[Category:Ghost towns in Pakistan]]
+[[Category:Indus Valley Civilisation sites]]
-[[Category:Indus Valley civilisation sites]]
 [[Category:Former populated places in Pakistan]]
 [[Category:Pre-Indus Valley civilisation sites]]
 [[Category:Amri-Nal culture]]