Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation

THEME ONE BRICKS, BEADS AND BONES THE HARAPPAN CIVILISATION

The Harappan Civilisation, also known as the Indus Valley Civilisation, is one of the earliest urban cultures of the Indian subcontinent, flourishing approximately between 6000 BCE and 1300 BCE. The civilisation is named after Harappa, the site where it was first identified. The most distinctive artefact of this civilisation is the Harappan seal, typically made from steatite stone, often engraved with animal motifs and signs from an undeciphered script. Despite the script remaining a mystery, a wealth of information about the Harappan people’s lives has been uncovered through archaeological evidence such as their houses, pottery, ornaments, tools, and seals. This evidence allows historians and archaeologists to reconstruct aspects of their society, economy, and culture. The chapter explores how such archaeological materials are interpreted and how interpretations can evolve with new discoveries. However, some aspects of the civilisation remain unknown and may continue to be so.

• Harappan Civilisation is also called the Indus Valley Civilisation.
• It spans from about 6000 BCE (Early Harappan) to 1300 BCE (Late Harappan).
• The civilisation is known for its distinctive seals made of steatite.
• Archaeological evidence includes houses, pottery, ornaments, tools, and seals.
• The script on seals remains undeciphered.
• Interpretations of archaeological evidence can change over time.
• 📌 Harappan Civilisation: An ancient urban culture of the Indian subcontinent, also called the Indus Valley Civilisation.
• 📌 Steatite: A soft stone used to make Harappan seals.
• 📌 Archaeological evidence: Physical remains such as artefacts and structures used to study past cultures.

Terminologies, Places and Time

The Harappan Civilisation is also known as the Indus Valley Civilisation, named after the site Harappa where it was first identified. The civilisation spans a long period from approximately 6000 BCE to 1300 BCE, divided into three phases: Early Harappan (6000 BCE–2600 BCE), which was formative; Mature Harappan (2600 BCE–1900 BCE), the urban and most prosperous phase; and Late Harappan (1900 BCE–1300 BCE), marking decline. Distinctive artefacts such as pottery, bricks (both baked and unbaked), seals, weights, beads, and metal articles have been found over a vast region including parts of present-day Pakistan (Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Sind, Punjab) and India (Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra). This wide distribution indicates the extensive reach and influence of the civilisation. The chapter also introduces common abbreviations used for dating: BP (Before Present), BCE (Before Common Era), CE (Common Era), and c. (circa, meaning approximate).

• Harappan Civilisation spans from 6000 BCE to 1300 BCE.
• Phases: Early Harappan (6000–2600 BCE), Mature Harappan (2600–1900 BCE), Late Harappan (1900–1300 BCE).
• Distinctive artefacts include pottery, bricks, seals, weights, beads, copper and bronze items.
• Sites spread across Pakistan and India, covering a large geographical area.
• Dating abbreviations: BP, BCE, CE, c. (circa).
• 📌 Early Harappan Phase: The formative period of the civilisation (6000–2600 BCE).
• 📌 Mature Harappan Phase: The urban and prosperous phase (2600–1900 BCE).
• 📌 Late Harappan Phase: The period of decline (1900–1300 BCE).