Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation | Class 12 History Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 3 min read
Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation from Class 12 History, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
SEALS, SCRIPT, WEIGHTS
Seals and sealings were crucial for long-distance communication and trade in the Harappan civilisation. Goods sent from one place to another were tied with rope, and wet clay was pressed with seals to create impressions that identified the sender and ensured the package was untampered. Harappan seals typically feature animal motifs and a line of writing, probably the owner's name and title. The script remains undeciphered, with about 375 to 400 signs, indicating it was not alphabetical. It was likely written from right to left. Writing has been found on seals, copper tools, jar rims, tablets, jewellery, bone rods, and even an ancient signboard, suggesting literacy might have been widespread. The Harappans used a precise system of weights, usually cubical stones made of chert, with no markings. Lower denominations followed a binary system (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32), while higher denominations used decimal multiples (160, 200, 320, 640). Smaller weights were used for jewellery and beads. Metal scale-pans have also been found.
📊 Diagram: Fig. 1.22 A sealing from Ropar
🧪 Activity: Discuss present-day methods for long-distance exchange and their advantages and problems.
🔗 Connection: Leads to discussion on social organisation and authority in Harappan society.
Table on page 25 (8×2)
| --- | --- |
|---|---|
| 80,000 | Middle Palaeolithic |
| 35,000 | Upper Palaeolithic |
| 12,000 | Mesolithic |
| 10,000 | Neolithic (early agriculturists and pastoralists) |
| 6,000 | Chalcolithic (first use of copper) |
| 2600 BCE | Harappan civilisation |
| 1000 BCE | Early iron, megalithic burials |
| 600 BCE-400 CE | Early Historic |
Table on page 25 (1×2)
| 1875 | Report of Alexander Cunningham on Harappan seal |
|---|
Table on page 25 (11×2)
| 1921 | Daya Ram Sahni begins excavations at Harappa |
|---|---|
| 1922 | Excavations begin at Mohenjodaro |
| 1946 | R.E.M. Wheeler excavates at Harappa |
| 1955 | S.R. Rao begins excavations at Lothal |
| 1960 | B.B. Lal and B.K. Thapar begin excavations at Kalibangan |
| 1974 | M.R. Mughal begins explorations in Bahawalpur |
| 1980 | A team of German and Italian archaeologists begins surface explorations at Mohenjodaro |
| 1986 | American team begins excavations at Harappa |
| 1990 | R.S. Bisht begins excavations at Dholavira |
| 1997 | Amrendra Nath starts excavations at Rakhigarhi |
| 2013 | Vasant Shinde begins archaeogenetic research at Rakhigarhi |
Frequently asked questions
Which of the following statements is incorrect ?
Harappan script is undeciphered and evidently alphabetical .
Read the following statements . A : Archaeologists study burials to find out social or economic differences amongst people living within a particular culture . B : At burials in Harappan sites the dead were generally laid in pits . C : Artefacts broadly classified as utilitarian and luxuries by archaeologists are also studied to identify social differences . D : Little pots of faience were probably considered precious because they were difficult to make . Which of the above statements is/are true ?
All the statements are true .
Which region was called Magan during Harappan age ?
Oman
Read the following statements. A: The Harappan civilisation is sometimes called the Mature Harappan Culture . B: The Harappans ate a wide range of plant and animal products , including fish. C: Archaeologists from the representation of bull on seals and terracotta sculpture in Harappan sites ,extrapolate that oxen were used for ploughing . D: Bones of wild species such as boar , deer and gharial have been found at different Harappan sites. Which of the above given statements are true ?
All the statements are true .
Ready to ace this chapter?
Get the full Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation chapter — interactive notes, diagrams, worked solutions, polls and a free practice quiz — in the ConceptScroll app.
Study smarter with ConceptScroll
Daily NCERT-aligned reels, AI doubt solving and chapter quizzes — all free.
Start learning freeContinue reading
- Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a | Class 12 History Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a for Class 12 History.
- Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a | Class 12 History Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a for Class 12 History.
- Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a | Class 12 History Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on Framing the Constitution The Beginning of a N e w Er a for Class 12 History.