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describe the different arguments given by the archeologists over the central authority of harappan
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describe the different arguments given by the archeologists over the c...
1. Burial is one of the strategies used by archaeologist. Through studies of burial archaeologist have found out that there are certain differences in the way graves are made: for example some pits are laid with bricks whereas some are not, thus bringning forth the notion of social differences. However, it is still a specualtion.

2. Evidence of luxury goods too are a good indicator that shows how social structures were, for example most of the evidences of luxury goods were found at the larger settlements like, Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Thus it could be possible that social differences were prominent in the larger settlement due to large population.

3. There are  Some graves that contain pottery and some ornaments, it has lead archaeologist to believe that these things are indicating a belief  in the after life.

4. On the basis of evidences related with different occupations the archaeologists (or archaeo-botanists or archaeo-zoologists) indicate that the people of different occupations or of different socio-economic positions used to live in the Harappan cities.

5. Some archaeologists are of the opinion that Harappan society had no rulers, and that everybody enjoyed equal status. Others feel there were no single ruler but several, that Mohenjodaro had a separate ruler, Harappa another, and so forth, yet others argue that there was a single state, given the similarity in artefacts, the evidence for planned settlements, the standardised ratio of brick size, and the establishment of settlements near sources of raw material. As of now, the last theory seems the most plausible, as it is unlikely that entire communities could have collectively made and implemented such complex decisions.
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describe the different arguments given by the archeologists over the c...
Arguments over the Central Authority of Harappan Civilization:

1. Monolithic State:
- Some archaeologists believe that the Harappan civilization was governed by a central authority or a monolithic state.
- They argue that the uniformity in urban planning, architecture, and material culture across different Harappan sites suggests a centralized power controlling and coordinating these activities.

2. Decentralized Authority:
- On the other hand, some archaeologists argue that the Harappan civilization might have had a decentralized form of governance.
- They point to the absence of monumental architecture or inscriptions glorifying rulers, which are typical features of centralized states.
- They suggest that Harappan society might have been organized into small, self-governing units with limited central authority.

3. Heterarchy Model:
- Another perspective is the idea of a heterarchy model, where power was distributed among different centers rather than being concentrated in a single authority.
- This model suggests that different cities or regions within the Harappan civilization might have had their own local rulers or councils, cooperating and competing with each other.

4. Lack of Clear Evidence:
- One of the challenges in determining the central authority of the Harappan civilization is the lack of clear archaeological evidence such as royal tombs, palaces, or written records.
- The absence of such evidence makes it difficult to conclusively prove whether a centralized state or a more decentralized system existed in the Harappan society.
In conclusion, the debate over the central authority of the Harappan civilization continues among archaeologists, with different perspectives and interpretations based on the available evidence. Further research and discoveries may shed more light on this intriguing aspect of one of the ancient world's most enigmatic civilizations.
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Read the following extract carefully and answer the following question by choosing the correct option:Today Mesopotamian excavators have much higher standards of accuracy and care in recording than in the old days, so that few dig huge areas the way Ur was excavated. Moreover, few archaeologists have the funds to employ large teams of excavators. Thus, the mode of obtaining data has changed.Take the small town of Abu Salabikh, about 10 hectares in area in 2500 BCE with a population less than 10000. The outlines of walls were at first traced by scrapping surfaces. This involves scraping off the top few millimetres of the moundwith the sharp and wide end of a shovel or other tool. While the soil underneath was still slightly moist, the archaeologist could make out different colours, textures and lines of bricks, walls or pits or other features. A few houses that were discovered were excavated. The archaeologist also sieved through tons of earth to recover plant and animal remains, and in the process identified many species of plants and animals and found large quantities of charred fish bones that had been swept out onto the streets. Plant seeds and fibre remained after dung cake had been burned as fuel and thus kitchens were identified. Living rooms were those with fewer traces. Because they found the teeth of very young pigs on the streets, archaeologists concluded that pigs must have roamed freely here as in any other Mesopotamia towns. In fact, one house burial contained some pig bones - the dead person must have been given some pork for his nourishment in the Afterlife. The archaeologist also made microscopic studies of room floors to decide which rooms in a house were roofed (with popular logs, Palm leaves, straw etc.) and which were open to the sky.Q. On the basis of the given information, what do you know about Abu Salabikh?

Read the following extract carefully and answer the following question by choosing the correct option:Today Mesopotamian excavators have much higher standards of accuracy and care in recording than in the old days, so that few dig huge areas the way Ur was excavated. Moreover, few archaeologists have the funds to employ large teams of excavators. Thus, the mode of obtaining data has changed.Take the small town of Abu Salabikh, about 10 hectares in area in 2500 BCE with a population less than 10000. The outlines of walls were at first traced by scrapping surfaces. This involves scraping off the top few millimetres of the moundwith the sharp and wide end of a shovel or other tool. While the soil underneath was still slightly moist, the archaeologist could make out different colours, textures and lines of bricks, walls or pits or other features. A few houses that were discovered were excavated. The archaeologist also sieved through tons of earth to recover plant and animal remains, and in the process identified many species of plants and animals and found large quantities of charred fish bones that had been swept out onto the streets. Plant seeds and fibre remained after dung cake had been burned as fuel and thus kitchens were identified. Living rooms were those with fewer traces. Because they found the teeth of very young pigs on the streets, archaeologists concluded that pigs must have roamed freely here as in any other Mesopotamia towns. In fact, one house burial contained some pig bones - the dead person must have been given some pork for his nourishment in the Afterlife. The archaeologist also made microscopic studies of room floors to decide which rooms in a house were roofed (with popular logs, Palm leaves, straw etc.) and which were open to the sky.Q. What do you think, according to the extract, the presence of pig bones along with burial indicates?

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describe the different arguments given by the archeologists over the central authority of harappan Related: NCERT Solutions - Bricks, Beads and Bones, Class 12, History?
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