NINNORE (1996-99)
The ancient site of Ninnore (lat. 22º 05'N and long. 77º 33'E), situated on the rright bank of the river Narmada, is about 1 km. east of the present village Ninnore, 9 km from Baya, in Budhni tehsil of District Sehore in M.P. It is 95 kms from Bhopal, the capital city of M.P. The linear mound extends for about one Km, in the south- western direction, parallel to the river, while about three metres its eastern fringe has been eroded for about three metres by the river. The existing mound extends for about one km in the north-south direction. It is bound by the plain land on the west and north - south side, and has s step slope towards the east. On the mound, locally known as Garhi, some sculptures of Paramara period may be noticed.
The importance of the mound was for the first time brought to the notice of the scholarly world by late Prof. Shankar Tiwari. The potteries collected from the surface included Black -and- Red ware, Northern Black Polished ware, Black slipped ware, Coarse red ware along with micaceous pottery. Geographically, this place appears to be a junction point of trade routes during the period of the Mauryas and the Sunga / Satavahanas. The site is very close to Pre and Proto- historic Rock paintings of Bhimbetka in Raisen District and the Chalcolithic sites of Pipalia Lorka, Nandur, Nander etc. The famous Pangurariya Rock Edict of Asoka is hardly 12 km from the site.
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| Plan of Houses, Floor, Drainage Canal and Storage jars of Period III, NNR-VII | Ring Well |
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| Semi-Precious Beads | Stone Plaque of Mahisasurmardini |
Looking to the importance of the site archaeological excavations were conducted here by the Deptt. of Archaeology. Museums and Archives, Govt. of M.P. during three consecutive seasons viz. 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99. Vertical diggings in eight trenches were conducted. Two trenches viz. NNR-I, II, were dug during 1996-97 under the direction of Shri R.R. Singh associated by D.K. Mathur. Four trenches viz. NNR-III, IV, V & VI were dug in the year 1997-98 and two trenches NNR-VII and VIII were dug in the year 1998-99 under the direction Dr. O.P. Mishra. The excavations were aimed at :
- to ascertain the complete cultural sequence of the site buried underneath the huge mound,
- to find out the ancient national trade route of the Maurya - sunga - Satavahana period and its connection with other contemporary townships and city cultures,
- to determine the relationship of Mauryan king Ashoka with reference to the stone inscription discovered at Panguraria at village Naktitalai.
- to know the mode and means of livelihood, habits and habitat of the contemporary people.
The excavations revealed the following cultural sequence
| No. | Period |
Era |
Layer |
Cultural |
Important Excavated Findings |
1 |
I |
Pre-Mauryan and Mauryan |
9, 8, 7 |
c. 6th cent. B.C. to 2nd Century B.C. |
Punch marked coins, Northern- Black Polished ware, precious beads, querns, iron objects. |
2 |
II |
Sunga-Satvahana |
6,5 |
c. 2nd Century B.C. to 2nd Century A.D. |
Stone gravel foundation of an elliptical temple, Satvahana coins, N.B,.P. |
3 |
III |
Gupta |
4, 3 |
c. 3rd Century B.C. to 7th Century A.D. |
Buddha head, brick walls of houses and apsidal temple, drainage system. |
4 |
IV |
Paramara |
2 |
c. 9th Century B.C. to 12th Century A.D. |
Stone dabbers, sculptures, plaques and medieval pottery. |
5 |
V |
Muslim |
1 |
c. 12th Century B.C. to 18th Century A.D. |
Thin blackish pottery of chilums. Mughal coins. |