During the earlier excavations at Surkotada, the ceramics of this culture were described as the coarse red or gray "local" ware.
When Nagwada in Surendranagar district was excavated, this distinctive regional type of ceramics were first recognized where it was associated with Pre-Urban and Urban Harappan artifacts.
The Anarta tradition was recognized as an independent culture when Loteshwar in Patan district was excavated in 1991-92.
[4] These sites in north Gujarat are located in sand dunes which may have provided fresh water from its interdunal depressions and pastures for animals.
The pottery from this tradition are hand or slow wheel made and are coarse and well-fired.