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U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2006

Ancient Pottery Cultures

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The Ochre-coloured Pottery (O.C.P.) was christened at:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Archaeological cultures in India are often named after the specific style of pottery found at a type-site, which helps in dating and tracking human settlement patterns.

Explanation Archaeologist B.B. Lal first identified and named the 'Ochre-coloured Pottery' (OCP) during his excavations at Hastinapur in the early 1950s.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: The pottery is characterized by its orange-to-red color (ochre), which often rubs off due to poor firing or water-logging.
Logic 2: OCP is generally dated between 2000 and 1500 BCE and is frequently found associated with 'Copper Hoard' artifacts in the Indo-Gangetic divide.

Active Recall

Question

What is the typical timeframe of the OCP culture?

Answer

It flourished during the late 2nd millennium BCE (c. 2000-1500 BCE), overlapping with the transition from the Harappan to the Vedic period.

Core Insight

While OCP was 'christened' at Hastinapur, it represents a widespread rural culture that preceded the more urban Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture.

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