HORNELL THE INDIAN CONCH 67 



obtained a large and most interesting series of chank-bangle fragments, 62 in number. 

 With them were a smaller number (7) of sawn working sections. A few marine shells 

 (Nerita, Nassa, Ostrea, and Conus) were also found among the ruins. 



In Gujarat 



(a) Sigam, on north bank of the Heran River. Five weathered sawn working 

 sections of chanks are represented in the collection from this site. No finished remains 

 of bangles were seen. The site yielded a variety of neolithic flakes and cores and two 

 sandstone hammers or pestles. No indication is given of the precise mode of occurrence, 

 but I conclude they were all surface finds. 



(b) Kamrej, 12 miles north-east of Surat. The summit of a small islet in the 

 Tapti river at this place yielded three sawn shoulder slices (workshop waste) of chank 

 shells and a single fragment of finished bangle. The latter is remarkable for the pecu- 

 liarity and elegance of its pattern, a broad and closely worked zig-zag groove such as 

 I have never seen either among ancient bangle fragments or on any of the present-day 

 productions of Bengal. With these chank remains were two fragments of sandstone 

 hammers. 



This site is notable as being on an islet in the Tapti river protected against assault 

 by steep and almost inaccessible sides a place very defensible and therefore an ideal 

 place for the settlement of craftsmen. 



(c) Mahuri, in Vijapur Taluk. From " an old site at the head of the gully system 

 which cuts deep into the alluvium of the Sabarmati " at this place, a series of working 

 sections and waste pieces of chank shell was found sufficiently numerous and varied 

 to convince me, after examination of the fragments, that a bangle workshop undoubtedly 

 existed here at a remote period. The presence of sawn waste associated with sawn 

 working sections is conclusive. 



Of completed bangles the remains found were few (8 are shown in the collection) 

 but of these, three are of special interest on account of the elaboration of ornament 

 exhibited. Two of these fragments are of broad bangles richly carved in patterns 

 very closely approximate if indeed not identical with forms in use at the present day. 

 The third fine example is a tiny fragment of the narrow form of bangle known as churi 

 in Bengal, usually worn in sets of three on each wrist. The other fragments found are 

 of simpler patterns. 



An interesting associated find was that of a small " finial " carved out of shell, 

 probably mother-of-pearl. It is identical in form with a mother-of-pearl nose-pendant 

 now in use among the poorer castes in some country districts in Bengal. An example 

 which I purchased in Eastern Bengal is carved from the shell of a river mussel (Unio sp.). 

 From the alluvium at Mahuri whence the bangle fragments came, a few neolithic imple- 

 ments, chert flakes and scrapers principally, were unearthed, together with several 

 noticeable pieces of pottery. Of the latter, one is of special importance as it affords 



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