PPT: Bricks, Beads and Bones | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


Bricks, Beads and Bones: 
The Harappan 
Civilisation
Page 2


Bricks, Beads and Bones: 
The Harappan 
Civilisation
Introduction to the Harappan 
World
Distinctive Artifacts
The Harappan seal is perhaps the most distinctive artifact of this ancient civilisation. Made of 
steatite, these seals often contain animal motifs and undeciphered script symbols, providing 
tantalising clues about Harappan society.
Archaeological Evidence
Despite the undeciphered script, we know a great deal about Harappan life from what they left 
behind4houses, pots, ornaments, tools and seals4all archaeological evidence that reveals their 
sophisticated culture.
Evolving Interpretations
Our understanding of the Harappan civilisation continues to evolve as new archaeological 
material is uncovered and interpreted, though some aspects may remain unknown.
Page 3


Bricks, Beads and Bones: 
The Harappan 
Civilisation
Introduction to the Harappan 
World
Distinctive Artifacts
The Harappan seal is perhaps the most distinctive artifact of this ancient civilisation. Made of 
steatite, these seals often contain animal motifs and undeciphered script symbols, providing 
tantalising clues about Harappan society.
Archaeological Evidence
Despite the undeciphered script, we know a great deal about Harappan life from what they left 
behind4houses, pots, ornaments, tools and seals4all archaeological evidence that reveals their 
sophisticated culture.
Evolving Interpretations
Our understanding of the Harappan civilisation continues to evolve as new archaeological 
material is uncovered and interpreted, though some aspects may remain unknown.
Beginnings
1
Early Farming Communities
Archaeological evidence indicates the emergence of Harappan culture 
from early farming communities dating to around 7000 BCE, showing a 
gradual development rather than sudden appearance.
2
Pre-Harappan Cultures
Several archaeological cultures preceded the Mature Harappan phase, 
characterised by distinctive pottery, evidence of agriculture and 
pastoralism, and some crafts. Settlements were generally small with few 
large structures.
3
Mature Harappan Phase
The urban phase (Mature Harappan) emerged as the result of gradual 
transformation and internal development during the Early Harappan 
phase, showing remarkable continuity.
Page 4


Bricks, Beads and Bones: 
The Harappan 
Civilisation
Introduction to the Harappan 
World
Distinctive Artifacts
The Harappan seal is perhaps the most distinctive artifact of this ancient civilisation. Made of 
steatite, these seals often contain animal motifs and undeciphered script symbols, providing 
tantalising clues about Harappan society.
Archaeological Evidence
Despite the undeciphered script, we know a great deal about Harappan life from what they left 
behind4houses, pots, ornaments, tools and seals4all archaeological evidence that reveals their 
sophisticated culture.
Evolving Interpretations
Our understanding of the Harappan civilisation continues to evolve as new archaeological 
material is uncovered and interpreted, though some aspects may remain unknown.
Beginnings
1
Early Farming Communities
Archaeological evidence indicates the emergence of Harappan culture 
from early farming communities dating to around 7000 BCE, showing a 
gradual development rather than sudden appearance.
2
Pre-Harappan Cultures
Several archaeological cultures preceded the Mature Harappan phase, 
characterised by distinctive pottery, evidence of agriculture and 
pastoralism, and some crafts. Settlements were generally small with few 
large structures.
3
Mature Harappan Phase
The urban phase (Mature Harappan) emerged as the result of gradual 
transformation and internal development during the Early Harappan 
phase, showing remarkable continuity.
Subsistence Strategies
1
Plant-Based Foods
Archaeo-botanists studying 
charred grains and seeds have 
identified wheat, barley, lentil, 
chickpea and sesame at 
Harappan sites. Millets appear 
at sites in Gujarat, while rice 
finds are relatively rare, 
suggesting regional dietary 
variations.
2
Animal Products
Archaeo-zoologists have found 
bones of domesticated animals 
including cattle, sheep, goat, 
buffalo and pig. Wild species 
such as boar, deer and gharial 
are also present, though it's 
unclear whether Harappans 
hunted these or traded with 
hunting communities.
3
Diverse Diet
The evidence shows that Harappans enjoyed a diverse diet of plant and 
animal products, including fish, adapting to the various ecological zones 
they inhabited across the region.
Page 5


Bricks, Beads and Bones: 
The Harappan 
Civilisation
Introduction to the Harappan 
World
Distinctive Artifacts
The Harappan seal is perhaps the most distinctive artifact of this ancient civilisation. Made of 
steatite, these seals often contain animal motifs and undeciphered script symbols, providing 
tantalising clues about Harappan society.
Archaeological Evidence
Despite the undeciphered script, we know a great deal about Harappan life from what they left 
behind4houses, pots, ornaments, tools and seals4all archaeological evidence that reveals their 
sophisticated culture.
Evolving Interpretations
Our understanding of the Harappan civilisation continues to evolve as new archaeological 
material is uncovered and interpreted, though some aspects may remain unknown.
Beginnings
1
Early Farming Communities
Archaeological evidence indicates the emergence of Harappan culture 
from early farming communities dating to around 7000 BCE, showing a 
gradual development rather than sudden appearance.
2
Pre-Harappan Cultures
Several archaeological cultures preceded the Mature Harappan phase, 
characterised by distinctive pottery, evidence of agriculture and 
pastoralism, and some crafts. Settlements were generally small with few 
large structures.
3
Mature Harappan Phase
The urban phase (Mature Harappan) emerged as the result of gradual 
transformation and internal development during the Early Harappan 
phase, showing remarkable continuity.
Subsistence Strategies
1
Plant-Based Foods
Archaeo-botanists studying 
charred grains and seeds have 
identified wheat, barley, lentil, 
chickpea and sesame at 
Harappan sites. Millets appear 
at sites in Gujarat, while rice 
finds are relatively rare, 
suggesting regional dietary 
variations.
2
Animal Products
Archaeo-zoologists have found 
bones of domesticated animals 
including cattle, sheep, goat, 
buffalo and pig. Wild species 
such as boar, deer and gharial 
are also present, though it's 
unclear whether Harappans 
hunted these or traded with 
hunting communities.
3
Diverse Diet
The evidence shows that Harappans enjoyed a diverse diet of plant and 
animal products, including fish, adapting to the various ecological zones 
they inhabited across the region.
Agricultural Technologies
Ploughing 
Techniques
T erracotta models of 
ploughs and 
representations on seals 
suggest oxen were used 
for ploughing. An 
extraordinary ploughed 
field discovered at 
Kalibangan shows two 
sets of furrows at right 
angles, indicating 
intercropping practices.
Water 
Management
Farming in semi-arid 
lands required 
irrigation. Traces of 
canals were found at 
Shortughai in 
Afghanistan. Wells were 
common, and massive 
water reservoirs at 
Dholavira suggest 
sophisticated water 
management for 
agriculture.
Harvesting 
Implements
Archaeologists have 
attempted to identify 
harvesting tools, 
debating whether 
Harappans used stone 
blades in wooden 
handles or metal 
implements, 
representing their 
technological 
adaptations to 
agricultural needs.