Hulas

Historical significance

Hulas is one of the 70 odd sites belonging to Chalcolithic Culture Phase in Doab which are located mostly along the higher banks of tributaries of Yamuna, namely, Hindon River, Krishni, Kathanala and Maskara. Most of these settlements are small, the largest one measuring 200x200 m, and three of these sites are excavated (Hulas, Alamgirpur and Bargaon). Occupation of this late Harappan site goes back to 2000 BC and it seems it continued up to 1000 BC.

Architecture

Rectangular mud structures with rammed floors, post-holes and hearths were identified in the earliest phase. In the Middle phase, clusters of two or three circular storage bin–type structures were found inside some of rectangular mud houses. Five round furnaces were found in some of the structures belonging to final phase.

Artefacts found

Hand made and wheel made pottery with geometric or naturalistic designs painted in black, chert blades, bone points etc. Terrecotta inscribed sealing was also recovered from Hulas.

Agricultural activity

Horse gram, Cow pea (which is of African origin), walnuts, oats, lintel, pea, chickpea, ragi, rice (both wild and cultivated variety) were grown at Hulas. Fruits of pipal tree (ficus religiosa) were also recovered from this site.