Wood remains from Ahichchhatra, District Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh (ca. 475 B.C. to A.D. 1280)

Abstract

The paper describes the anatomical investigation of wood remains from an ancient mound at Ahichchhatra in Bareilly District of Uttar Pradesh along with their archaeological significance. The wood charcoals are the only botanical finds described from this ancient site. The studies have brought to light the exploitation of locally available timbers by the ancient settlers from the surrounding Sal forests in this region of Ganga-Yamuna Doab, from late Painted Grey Ware and Northern Black Polished Ware periods up to Historical levels (approximately from ca. 475 B.C. to A.D. 1280). The taxa recovered viz., Shorea robusta (Sal). Terminalia tomentosa (Laurel), Dalbergia sissoo (Sheesham), Anogeissus latifolia (Axle-wood) and Acacia sp. (Babul), indicate prevalence of tropical monsoon climate in the ancient times, similar to the present day conditions.