Published in Vats 1940, Vol. II, Plate XXXIV (d).
Title: ‘Pit III Fragmentary Remains, from North-West’.
Of Pit III in Mound AB Sahni noted:
“Four large pits, each 50' square, were sunk simultaneously in a line in the southern portion of mound B. The third trench [Pit III] could not be excavated to any considerable depth”.
- Daya Ram Sahni, ARASI 1924-25, p. 79-80.
Vats: “Close to the Extension of Pits I and II are two more pits numbered III and IV, each measuring 50 ft. sq. These along with the first two were excavated by the Rai Bahadur. Pit III, situated about 16 ft. to the south of the excavation described above, was sunk from a slightly higher level than the remaining three. The first three pits stood in one line from north to south, but the IVth lies about 70 ft. due south-west of Pit III.”
“Pit III was excavated to a depth of 6 to 10 ft. below the surface and revealed one corner of a room belonging to Stratum III, which is overlaid by a fragmentary paving of Stratum II (PI. XXXIV, d). In this the following antiquities were found at the depths noted against each:
1. Triangular prism sealing of faience with 5 pictograms on one face, acacia tree and Vlll-like symbol on the second, and dotted circles on the third. PI. XCVIII, 598. Size 11/16 x 3/16 in. No. 11373; from surface.
2. Fragmentary unicorn seal showing forepart of the animal and incense burner. PI. XC, 221. 1½ in. sq. No. PIII-54; Depth 7 ft. 6 in. b.s.
3. Rectangular, plano-convex steatite seal with 4 pictograms. PL XCII, 265. Size 1 ½ x 7/8 in. No. PIII-7; Depth 5 ft. b.s.
4. Left half of a rectangular, plano-convex seal with 3 pictograms surviving. PI. XCII, 291. L. 1 1/8 in.; w. 9/16 in. No. PIII-38; Depth 6 ft. 10 in. b.s.
5. Alabaster pedestal with a shallow socket on top and 3 holes on the underside. PI. LXXXIII, 9. Ht. 1 1/8 in.; diam. 3 5/8 in. No. PIII-56; Depth 8 ft. 3 in. b.s.
6. Two alabaster pedestals similar to above. PI. LXXXIII, 8. Ht. 1 3/16 in.; diam. 3 5/8 in. each. No. PIII-74; Depth 9 ft. b.s.
7. Fragment of faience lotus fruit. [footnote 1: for similar lotus fruit from Mohenjodaro cf. M.I.C., Pl CLVIII, 4 and 6] Diam. 2 5/16 in. No. PIII-18; Depth 5 ft. 6 in. b.s.
8. Miniature ivory pillar (fragmentary) with a bhnd hole at top and bottom. It is decorated with two undulating bands alternating with horizontal rings. PI. CXIX, 9. Ht. 1 1/2 in. No. PIII-9; Depth 5 ft. 6 in. b.s.”
- Vats, M.S. 1940, I, pp. 168-9.
This is the fragmentary paving of Stratum II under which was found “one corner of a room” (Vats ibid, p. 168).