An Appraisal of Chalcolithic Micaceous Red Ware Tradition (2600 – 1600 BCE) Based on Vagad and Other Sites in Gujarat, India

Chalcolithic Micaceous Red Ware widely distributed in the Bhal region of Gujarat during 2600‒1600 BCE was first reported from Rangpur in Surendranagar district. This ceramic type was also reported in limited quantity from other parts of Saurashtra, Kachchh, North Gujarat, and South Gujarat. The ware is primarily defined by its color, texture, surface finish, inclusions, shapes, and decorative pattern. Although it has been reported from twenty-nine sites to date, not much attempt has been made to bring to light and define its other cultural parameters. This paper tries to elucidate the characteristic features of this ceramic type. For this purpose, Micaceous Red Ware from Vagad was chosen for detailed typological studies, and the findings were compared with the data from other excavated and surveyed sites in Gujarat. Further, the available radiocarbon dates from these sites were recalibrated. This paper concludes with a verification of the term Micaceous Red Ware Tradition within the spatio-temporal framework.