Beyond the mines: Chalcolithic pattern of settlement along the Khetri belt, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

An archaeological site census was carried out in the Jhunjhunun district of Rajasthan in 2022–23 to identify and document sites affiliated with the Chalcolithic period. In the course of the survey, 5 sites affiliated with the Chalcolithic period were documented. The paper focuses on the results obtained through the archaeological site census carried and integrates it with GIS and TOPSIS for a nuanced understanding of the region and to overcome the limitations of any single methodology. The study demonstrates that while both natural and human factors influenced settlement location, access to copper deposits was prioritized over proximity to other sources. This suggests that, in addition to the significant role of geography, human agency was a crucial determinant in the settlement's establishment. Furthermore, the study ranks these sites based on the evaluation of natural factors, providing insights into the relative importance of geographical considerations in the settlement selection process. For an in-depth understanding of the region, previously reported chalcolithic sites from Sikar and Jaipur districts have also been incorporated within the study.