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Inscribed Unicorn Seals from Bagasra, Gujarat: a Comparative Analysis of Morphology, Carving Styles, and Distribution Patterns
Inscribed Unicorn Seals from Bagasra, Gujarat: A Comparative Analysis of Morphology, Carving Styles, and Distribution Patterns Gregg M. Jamison1, Bhanu Prakash Sharma2, P. Ajithprasad3, K. Krishnan3, Kuldeep K. Bhan3 and V. H. Sonawane3 1. Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin – Waukesha, 1500 N. University Dr., Waukesha, WI 53188, USA (Email: [email protected]) 2. Department of Archaeology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – 695 581, India (Email: [email protected]) 3. Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat – 390 002, India (Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; vhsonawane@ rediffmail.com) Received: 18 July 2017; Revised: 13 September 2017; Accepted: 01 November 2017 Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 5 (2017): 01‐21 Abstract: Excavations at the Indus site of Bagasra (Gola Dhoro) conducted by the Department of Archaeology, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda uncovered significant quantities and varieties of material culture, including inscribed steatite seals. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of this assemblage, including morphology, carving styles, and distribution patterns. Using complimentary research methods, it has been possible to identify variation in seal carving styles and techniques, as well as patterns that represent the products of distinct artisans and workshops. Taken together, the results highlight the significance of detailed studies of seals from individual sites to learn more about this important craft industry throughout the Indus Civilization as a whole. Keywords: Indus Civilization, Inscribed Steatite Seals, Bagasra, Gujarat, Technology, Style, Distribution Introduction Since their discovery heralded the announcement of a new ancient civilization, inscribed steatite seals of the Indus or Harappan Civilization (2600‐1900 BCE) have captivated scholars and the general public alike. -
3-Art-Of-Indus-Valley.Pdf
Harappan civilization 2 Architecture 2 Drainage System 3 The planning of the residential houses were also meticulous. 4 Town Planning 4 Urban Culture 4 Occupation 5 Export import product of 5 Clothing 5 Important centres 6 Religious beliefs 6 Script 7 Authority and governance 7 Technology 8 Architecture Of Indus Valley Civilisation 9 The GAP 9 ARTS OF THE INDUS VALLEY 11 Stone Statues 12 MALE TORSO 12 Bust of a bearded priest 13 Male Dancer 14 Bronze Casting 14 DANCING GIRL 15 BULL 16 Terracotta 16 MOTHER GODDESS 17 Seals 18 Pashupati Seal 19 Copper tablets 19 Bull Seal 20 Pottery 21 PAINTED EARTHEN JAR 22 Beads and Ornaments 22 Toy Animal with moveable head 24 Page !1 of !26 Harappan civilization India has a continuous history covering a very long period. Evidence of neolithic habitation dating as far back as 7000 BC has been found in Mehrgarh in Baluchistan. However, the first notable civilization flourished in India around 2700 BC in the north western part of the Indian subcontinent, covering a large area. The civilization is referred to as the Harappan civilization. Most of the sites of this civilization developed on the banks of Indus, Ghaggar and its tributaries. Architecture The excavations at Harappa and Mohenjodaro and several other sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation revealed the existence of a very modern urban civilisation with expert town planning and engineering skills. The very advanced drainage system along with well planned roads and houses show that a sophisticated and highly evolved culture existed in India before the coming of the Aryans. -
Sarasvati Civilization, Script and Veda Culture Continuum of Tin-Bronze Revolution
Sarasvati Civilization, script and Veda culture continuum of Tin-Bronze Revolution The monograph is presented in the following sections: Introduction including Abstract Section 1. Tantra yukti deciphers Indus Script Section 2. Momentous discovery of Soma samsthā yāga on Vedic River Sarasvati Basin Section 3. Binjor seal Section 4. Bhāratīya itihāsa, Indus Script hypertexts signify metalwork wealth-creation by Nāga-s in paṭṭaḍa ‘smithy’ = phaḍa फड ‘manufactory, company, guild, public office, keeper of all accounts, registers’ Section 5. Gaṇeśa pratimā, Gardez, Afghanistan is an Indus Script hypertext to signify Superintendent of phaḍa ‘metala manufactory’ Section 6. Note on the cobra hoods of Daimabad chariot Section 7 Note on Mohenjo-daro seal m0304: phaḍā ‘metals manufactory’ Section 8. Conclusion Introduction The locus of Veda culture and Sarasvati Civilization is framed by the Himalayan ranges and the Indian Ocean. 1 The Himalayan range stretches from Hanoi, Vietnam to Teheran, Iran and defines the Ancient Maritime Tin Route of the Indian Ocean – āsetu himācalam, ‘from the Setu to Himalayaś. Over several millennia, the Great Water Tower of frozen glacial waters nurtures over 3 billion people. The rnge is still growing, is dynamic because of plate tectonics of Indian plate juttng into and pushing up the Eurasian plate. This dynamic explains river migrations and consequent desiccation of the Vedic River Sarasvati in northwestern Bhāratam. Intermediation of the maritime tin trade through the Indian Ocean and waterways of Rivers Mekong, Irrawaddy, Salween, Ganga, Sarasvati, Sindhu, Persian Gulf, Tigris-Euphrates, the Mediterranean is done by ancient Meluhha (mleccha) artisans and traders, the Bhāratam Janam celebrated by R̥ ṣi Viśvāmitra in R̥ gveda (RV 3.53.12). -
Unit 6 Material Characteristics
UNIT 6 MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS Structure Objectives Introduction From Villages to Towns.and Cities Harappan Civilization : Sources Geographical Spread Important Centres 6.5.1 Harappa 6.5.2 Mohenjodaro 6.5.3 Kalibangan 6.5.4 Lothal 6.5.5 Sutkagen-Dor Material Characteristics 6.6.1 Town-Planning 6.6.2 Pottery 6.6.3 Tools and Implements- 6.6.4 Arts and Crafts 6.6.5 The Indus Script 6.6.6 Subsistence Pattern Let Us Sum Up Key Words Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises 6.0 OBJECTIVES This Unit deals with the geographical extent and the material features of the Harappan Civilization. It describes the main sites of Harappan Civilization as well as the material remains which characterised these sites. After reading this Unit you should be able to : understand that there was continuity of population and material traditions between the Early Harappan and Harappan Civilization. know about the geographical and climatic aspects of the settlement pattern of Harappan Civilization, describe the specific geographical, climatic and subsistence related characteristics of the important centres of Harappan Civilization. learn about the material features of the impoitant Harappan sites and specially the uniformities in the material features of these sites. 6.1 INTRODUCTION In this Unit we discuss the geographical spread and material characteristics of the Harappan Civilization which aroge on the foundation of pastoral and agricultuial communities and small townships. It refers to the continuity of the population and material traditions between Early Harappan and Harappan Civilization. The geographical spread of Harappan Civilization with special reference to some important centres has been highlighted. -
Harappan Settlement of Gola Dhoro: a Reading from Animal Bones Brad Chase∗
Social change at the Harappan settlement of Gola Dhoro: a reading from animal bones Brad Chase∗ Detailed analysis of the animal bone assemblage at Gola Dhoro here throws light on the expansion of the Indus civilisation into Gujarat. A square fort, imposed on a settlement of livestock herders in the later third millennium BC, was shown to have contained people who introduced a broader diet of meat and seafood, and new ways of preparing it. These social and dietary changes were coincident with a surge in craft and trade. Keywords: South Asia, Harappan, Indus, Bronze Age, faunal analysis, animal bones, livestock, diet, pastoral economy, social practice, inter-regional interaction Introduction The Indus civilisation (c. 2600-1900 BC) integrated several distinct regions into one of the world’s first state-level societies. As Harappa, Mohenjodaro, and several other population centres in the alluvial plains of the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra river systems emerged as large walled cities, many of the distinctive styles of material culture developed there came to be widely distributed in adjoining regions, such as Gujarat, where they had no local antecedents (Figure 1). While this is clear evidence that the residents of Gujarat during this period came to participate in inter-regional interaction networks to a greater extent than had previously been the case, the social processes by which they came to be incorporated into South Asia’s first urban society remain the subject of considerable debate. Gola Dhoro, a small (∼2ha) settlement situated on the northern coast of the peninsula of Saurashtra, is an ideal site at which to investigate these issues. -
Arts of the Indus Valley
2 ARTS OF THE INDUS VALLEY HE arts of the Indus Valley Civilisation emerged during Tthe second half of the third millennium BCE. The forms of art found from various sites of the civilisation include sculptures, seals, pottery, jewellery, terracotta figures, etc. The artists of that time surely had fine artistic sensibilities and a vivid imagination. Their delineation of human and animal figures was highly realistic in nature, since the anatomical details included in them were unique, and, in the case of terracotta art, the modelling of animal figures was done in an extremely careful manner. The two major sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation, along the Indus river—the cities of Harappa in the north and Mohenjodaro in the south—showcase one of earliest examples of civic planning. Other markers were houses, markets, storage facilities, offices, public baths, etc., arranged in a grid-like pattern. There was also a highly developed drainage system. While Harappa and Mohenjodaro are situated in Pakistan, the important sites excavated in India are Lothal and Dholavira in Gujarat, Rakhigarhi in Haryana, Bust of a bearded priest Ropar in Punjab, Kalibangan in Rajasthan, etc. Stone Statues Statues whether in stone, bronze or terracotta found in Harappan sites are not abundant, but refined. The stone statuaries found at Harappa and Mohenjodaro are excellent examples of handling three-dimensional volumes. In stone are two male figures—one is a torso in red sandstone and the other is a bust of a bearded man in soapstone—which are extensively discussed. The figure of the bearded man, interpreted as a priest, is draped in a shawl coming under the right arm and covering the left shoulder. -
(Harappan) Civilisation
Shinde, V and Willis, R J 2014 A New Type of Inscribed Copper Plate Ancient Asia from Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilisation. Ancient Asia, 5: 1, pp. 1-10, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/aa.12317 RESEARCH PAPER A New Type of Inscribed Copper Plate from Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilisation Vasant Shinde* and Rick J. Willis† A group of nine Indus Valley copper plates (c. 2600–2000 BC), discovered from private collections in Pakistan, appear to be of an important type not previously described. The plates are significantly larger and more robust than those comprising the corpus of known copper plates or tablets, and most signifi- cantly differ in being inscribed with mirrored characters. One of the plates bears 34 characters, which is the longest known single Indus script inscription. Examination of the plates with x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrophotometry indicates metal compositions, including arsenical copper, consistent with Indus Valley technology. Microscopy of the metal surface and internal structure reveals detail such as pitting, microcrystalline structure, and corrosion, consistent with ancient cast copper artifacts. Given the relative fineness of the engraving, it is hypothesised that the copper plates were not used as seals, but have char- acteristics consistent with use in copper plate printing. As such, it is possible that these copper plates are by far the earliest known printing devices, being at least 4000 years old. Background The peak of Indus Valley (also known as Harappan) civili- sation ranged from about 2600 BC to 2000 BC. The set- tled life in the Indian subcontinent started, as is evident at Mehrgarh in Baluchistan (Jarrige, et al., 1995), around 7000 BC and there has been gradual growth in the cul- tures culminating into the formation of the Harappan cul- ture starting around 4000 BC. -
The Harappan Civilization)
Theme 1 BRICKS, BEADS AND BONES (THE HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION) ✓ Indus valley civilization is also known as Harappan civilization. ✓ It started flourishing along River Indus (now in Pakistan) at around 2600 B.C ✓ Harappan civilization was the largest Bronze age civilization in the world ✓ Harappa was the first site of this civilization discovered by archaeologists ✓ It was an urban civilization. ✓ Its script has not been deciphered. ✓ After 1900 B.C.E. most of the sites were abandoned due to some reasons ✓ By 1900 B.C.E. major part of the civilization ended Period of Harappan Civilization ✓ The civilization is dated between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE ✓ The period of the civilization is broadly divided in to three: 1.The Early Harappan culture (Before 2600 BCE) 2. The Mature Harappan culture (2600 BCE to 1900 BCE) 3. The Late Harappan culture (After 1900 BCE) Some important sites of Harappan civilization Kalibangan, Lothal, Rakhigarhi, Dholavira, Ropar, Harappa, Ganeriwala, Chanhudaro, Shortughai, Mohenjodaro, Amri, Balakot, Kot Diji, Rangpur, Nageshwar etc. Major Developments in Harappan Archaeology ✓ 1875-Report of Alexander Cunningham on Harappan seal ✓ 1924-John Marshall announced the discovery of Harappan civilization ✓ 1925-Excavation began at Mohenjodaro ✓ 1946- R E M Wheeler began excavation at Harappa ✓ 1955-S.R.Rao began excavation at Lothal ✓ 1960-B.B Lal & B.K Thaper began excavation at Kalibangan ✓ 1974-M.R.Mughal began exploration at Bahawalpur ✓ 1990-R.S Bisht began excavation at Dholavira. Early archaeological cultures ✓ There were several archaeological cultures in the region prior to the Mature Harappan. ✓ These cultures were associated with distinctive pottery, evidence of agriculture, pastoralism and some crafts. -
Hardpan Civilization Is Also Known As Indus Valley Civilization Indus Valley Civilization
Indus valley civilization 1. Before we begin, Remember: Hardpan Civilization is also known as Indus Valley Civilization Indus valley civilization 2. The Discoverers of Indus Valley Civilization: 3. Alexander Cunningham – He was the first Director-General of ASI. He Began excavations around mid nineteenth century. 4. John Marshall – He was the DG of ASI in 1927 and first professional Archaeologist of India. But he exacted horizontally and all finds were grouped together even when they were found at different stratigraphic layers. This caused loss of very valuable information regarding. 5. R.E.M. Wheeler – He followed the stratigraphy of excavations rather than just excavating horizontally. 6. Basic features of Indus Valley Civilization: 7. The Indus Valley civilization is the first known Urban Culture in India. 8. Majority of the sites developed on the banks of river Indus, Ghaggar and its tributaries. 9. This civilization is credited for building cities complete with: town planning, sanitation, drainage system and broad well-laid roads. 10. They also built double storied houses of burnt-bricks complete with bathroom, kitchen, and a well. 11. Their Walled cities had important buildings such as, the Great Bath, Granaries and the Assembly Halls. 12. Their Agriculture was considered major occupation for rural areas. While the City residents were involved in internal & external trade which led to developed contacts with other civilizations (e.g. Mesopotamia). 13. Harappa’s were excellent potters as is evident by their artifacts. 14. Harappa’s also had technical knowledge of metals & process of alloying (e.g. bronze sculpture of dancing girl found in Mohenjo-Daro). -
Some Important Aspects of Technology and Craft Production in the Indus Civilization with Specific Reference to Gujarat
Some Important Aspects of Technology and Craft Production in the Indus Civilization with Specific Reference to Gujarat Kuldeep K. Bhan This paper will briefly review the archaeological record of some of the aspects of the craft production in the Indus Tradition from the point of technology, as reflected in manufacturing cycles, possible workshops / activity areas, stock piling and dumping areas so far identified in the available archaeological record of Gujarat. The data presented here is mostly derived from three recently excavated Indus sites by the Department of Archeology and Ancient History, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in combination with the data obtained through ethnoarchaeological studies carried on the stone bead making at Khambhat, Gujarat by Jonathan Mark Kenoyer, Massimo Vidale and myself. With the adaption of rigorous excavations with emphasis on the recovery methods along with ethnoarchaeological studies a lot of fresh useful information regarding the various Indus crafts is beginning to get revealed. The study of the crafts and especially Indus Civilization crafts is growing field of investigation, though some South Asian archeologists still prefer to them as ‘miscellaneous small finds’. This fresh data thus obtained is the highlights of this paper. Keywords: Indus Civilization, Technology, Craft Production, Gujarat, Shell working, Beads, Faience. In this paper, I will be discussing some important aspects various industries, but I will confine myself to certain of the current research on craft production in the selected crafts like stone bead making, shell working Harappan phase of the Indus Tradition that corresponds and faience making, with specific reference to the (c. 2600 to 1900 BC) to the Integration Era (as defined in recent data recovered from the Harappan sites of Kenoyer 1991a). -
Indus Valley Civilization
Indus Valley Civilization From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Extent of the Indus Valley Civilization Bronze Age This box: • view • talk • edit ↑ Chalcolithic Near East (3300-1200 BCE) Caucasus, Anatolia, Levant, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Elam, Jiroft Bronze Age collapse Europe (3200-600 BCE) Aegean (Minoan) Caucasus Basarabi culture Coț ofeni culture Pecica culture Otomani culture Wietenberg culture Catacomb culture Srubna culture Beaker culture Unetice culture Tumulus culture Urnfield culture Hallstatt culture Atlantic Bronze Age Bronze Age Britain Nordic Bronze Age Italian Bronze Age Indian Subcon tinent (3300- 1200 BCE) China (3000- 700 BCE) Korea (800- 300 BCE) arsenic al bronze writing , literatu re sword, chariot ↓ Iron Age The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) was a Bronze Age civilization (3300–1300 BCE; mature period 2600–1900 BCE) that was located in the northwestern region[1] of the Indian subcontinent,[2][3] consisting of what is now mainly modern-day Pakistan and northwest India. Flourishing around the Indus River basin, the civilization[n 1] primarily centred along the Indus and the Punjab region, extending into the Ghaggar- Hakra River valley[7] and the Ganges-Yamuna Doab.[8][9] Geographically, the civilization was spread over an area of some 1,260,000 km², making it the largest ancient civilization in the world. The Indus Valley is one of the world's earliest urban civilizations, along with its contemporaries, Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. At its peak, the Indus Civilization may have had a population of well over five million. Inhabitants of the ancient Indus river valley developed new techniques in metallurgy and handicraft (carneol products, seal carving) and produced copper, bronze, lead, and tin. -
Oilseeds, Spices, Fruits and Flavour in the Indus Civilisation T J
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 24 (2019) 879–887 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jasrep Oilseeds, spices, fruits and flavour in the Indus Civilisation T J. Bates Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World, Brown University, United States of America ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: The exploitation of plant resources was an important part of the economic and social strategies of the people of South Asia the Indus Civilisation (c. 3200–1500 BCE). Research has focused mainly on staples such as cereals and pulses, for Prehistoric agriculture understanding these strategies with regards to agricultural systems and reconstructions of diet, with some re- Archaeobotany ference to ‘weeds’ for crop processing models. Other plants that appear less frequently in the archaeobotanical Indus Civilisation record have often received variable degrees of attention and interpretation. This paper reviews the primary Cropping strategies literature and comments on the frequency with which non-staple food plants appear at Indus sites. It argues that Food this provides an avenue for Indus archaeobotany to continue its ongoing development of models that move beyond agriculture and diet to think about how people considered these plants as part of their daily life, with caveats regarding taphonomy and culturally-contextual notions of function. 1. Introduction 2. Traditions in Indus archaeobotany By 2500 BCE the largest Old World Bronze Age civilisation had There is a long tradition of Indus archaeobotany. As summarised in spread across nearly 1 million km2 in what is now Pakistan and north- Fuller (2002) it can be divided into three phases: ‘consulting palaeo- west India (Fig.