Around the Indus: the latest discoveries, Harappa 1995-98
BY:
Jonathan Mark Kenoyed, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
Richard M. Meadow, HARVARD UNIVERSITY
The Ravi phase
Interaction networks of the Ravi Phase c. 3300-2800 BC. Arrows extend from Harappa to likely source areas for raw materials such as agate, lapis lazuli, steatite, marine shell and copper. These raw materials were transformed into ornaments and tools at Harappa for local trade.
A gold disk
Gold Disc Fired steatite beads appear to have been extremely important to the Indus people because they were incorporated into exquisite ornaments, such as this "eye bead" made of gold with steatite
Early writing
Inscribed Ravi sherd The origins of Indus writing can now be traced to the Ravi Phase (c. 3300-2800 BC) at Harappa. Some inscriptions were made on the bottom of the pottery before firing. Other inscriptions such as this one were made after firing. This inscription (c. 3300 BC) appears to be three plant symbols arranged to appear almost anthropomorphic. The trident looking projections on these symbols seem to set the foundation for later symbols such as those seen in 131.
16 Tablets
Sixteen three sided tablets Sixteen three sided tablets (c. 2300 BC) with incised inscription on each face were found all together in the debris that had been dumped over the curtain wall (144). On one of the three sides is an inscription that is identical to the last two signs on the seal (145).
Re-excavations
"Granary area" Limited excavations in the granary area at Harappa starting in 1997 (Trench 41 area) and 1999 have begun a new examination of this important building, first excavated in the 1920s. Although referred to as a granary, this characterization by earlier archaeologists of similar large structures at Mohenjo-daro and Harappa is not borne out by any compelling evidence such as grain deposits. The structure, the largest known from a Harappan site, could have served any number of other functions
Cemetery H
Dish or lid Late Harappan Period dish or lid with perforation at edge for hanging or attaching to large jar. It shows a Blackbuck antelope with trefoil design made of combined circle-and-dot motifs,
The bead Pot
Small pot A small pot was found on the floor just to the west of the large globular vessel (the big hole in the wall is where it once sat). In the foreground are other large jars set into the floor and used as hearths or garbage pits. Trench 38, Late Harappan Period.
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