Harappan Civilisation and Archaeology

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What is the primary material used to make the Harappan seal?

Terracotta

Copper

Marble

Steatite (correct)

What is the significance of the scripts found on the Harappan seals?

They are a form of ancient Harappan poetry

They provide a clear understanding of the Harappan language

They remain undeciphered to this day (correct)

They are symbols of the Harappan Kingdom's power

What is the primary source of information about the Harappan civilisation?

Eyewitness accounts

Written records from the time

Archaeological evidence (correct)

Oral traditions passed down through generations

What is the characteristic of the settlements before the emergence of the Mature Harappan culture?

They were small and lacked large buildings Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the large-scale burning at some sites and the abandonment of certain settlements?

It suggests a break between the Early Harappan and the Harappan civilisation Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from the development of the Mature Harappan culture in areas occupied by the Early Harappan cultures?

The Mature Harappan culture developed from the Early Harappan cultures Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary source of evidence for reconstructing dietary practices of the Harappans?

Finds of charred grains and seeds Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the discovery of a ploughed field at Kalibangan?

It showed that the Harappans grew two different crops together Signup and view all the answers

What was unique about the bricks used at all Harappan settlements?

They were of a standardised ratio Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the platforms on which buildings were constructed in the Citadel?

To provide a foundation for the buildings Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from the discovery of terracotta models of the plough?

The Harappans used oxen for ploughing Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the walled Citadel and Lower Town?

They were physically separated from each other Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from the layout of roads and streets in the Lower Town?

The Harappans used a grid pattern for building roads and streets Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the finds of fish and fowl bones at Harappan sites?

They indicate that the Harappans ate fish and fowl as part of their diet Signup and view all the answers

What was the likely use of water reservoirs found in Dholavira?

They were used for storing water for agriculture Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the discovery of canals at the Harappan site of Shortughai?

It suggests that the Harappans used irrigation for agriculture Signup and view all the answers

Why were little pots of faience considered precious?

They were difficult to make Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the distribution of rare objects made of valuable materials?

They are concentrated in large settlements like Mohenjodaro and Harappa Signup and view all the answers

What is characteristic of the beads found at Chanhudaro?

They were made of a variety of materials Signup and view all the answers

How were steatite beads made?

By moulding out of a paste made with steatite powder Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of waste material in identifying centres of craft production?

It is an indicator of rejects and waste material Signup and view all the answers

What was the likely purpose of the miniature pots of faience?

They were used as perfume bottles Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the settlement of Chanhudaro?

It is exclusively devoted to craft production Signup and view all the answers

What was the process of making beads from harder stones?

Chipping nodules into rough shapes and then finely flaking Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Nageshwar and Balakot?

They were near the coast and centres of making shell objects Signup and view all the answers

What were the larger waste pieces of material sometimes used for?

Making smaller objects Signup and view all the answers

Why did every house need to have at least one wall along a street in Mohenjodaro?

To allow for domestic waste water to flow into the street drains Signup and view all the answers

What was the likely purpose of the courtyard in the houses of Mohenjodaro?

To provide a space for cooking and weaving Signup and view all the answers

What was unique about the windows in the houses of Mohenjodaro?

There were no windows in the walls along the ground level Signup and view all the answers

What feature did many houses in Mohenjodaro have that was accessible from the outside?

A well Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Great Bath in the Citadel of Mohenjodaro?

It was a ritual bath for special purposes Signup and view all the answers

How did archaeologists use burials to identify social differences in the Harappan civilization?

By examining the distribution of wealth in burials Signup and view all the answers

What type of objects did archaeologists classify as 'luxuries' in the Harappan civilization?

Objects made from precious materials such as copper and jasper Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the courtyard in the Great Bath of Mohenjodaro?

It was surrounded by a corridor on all four sides Signup and view all the answers

What feature did the houses of Mohenjodaro have that suggests a concern for privacy?

No windows in the walls along the ground level Signup and view all the answers

What was the estimated number of wells in Mohenjodaro?

700 Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the script of the Harappan civilization?

It was not alphabetical, with a large number of signs between 375 and 400. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the spacing on the Harappan seals?

It indicates the direction of writing, from right to left. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the literacy rate in the Harappan society?

Literacy was widespread, with a large number of people able to read and write. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the weights used in the Harappan system of exchange?

They were made of chert and had no markings on them. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the uniformity of Harappan artefacts?

It suggests that there was a central authority or complex decision-making process. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the organisation of the Harappan society?

It was a complex society with a central authority or rulers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'priest-king' statue?

It is an artefact of unknown significance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the Harappan settlements after 1900 BCE?

They declined and were eventually abandoned, with a transformation of material culture. Signup and view all the answers

What brought about the changes in the Harappan society around 1800 BCE?

The exact reason is unknown, but it is evident that there were significant changes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the 'Late Harappan' or 'successor cultures'?

They were characterised by a rural way of life, with a decrease in the use of materials and a decline in house construction techniques. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the collapse of the entire Harappan civilization?

The decline of the Harappan state Signup and view all the answers

What was likely the purpose of the thick coating on the Harappan jars found in Oman?

To prevent the percolation of liquids Signup and view all the answers

What was Cunningham's main area of interest?

The archaeology of the Early Historic period Signup and view all the answers

What was the probable source of copper for the Harappans?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the discovery of similar seals at Mohenjo-Daro?

It proved the existence of a single archaeological culture Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of John Marshall's announcement in 1924?

It announced the discovery of a new civilization in the Indus valley, contemporaneous with Mesopotamia Signup and view all the answers

What do the Mesopotamian texts suggest about the region of Meluhha?

It was a land of seafarers Signup and view all the answers

Why did Cunningham not realize the significance of the Harappan seal?

Because he was focused on the Early Historic period Signup and view all the answers

What was the likely purpose of the settlements established by the Harappans in areas such as Nageshwar and Balakot?

To procure raw materials for craft production Signup and view all the answers

What do the finds of Harappan artefacts such as steatite micro beads in areas like south India suggest?

Contact and exchange with local communities Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of Cunningham's excavation of sites?

He recovered artefacts with cultural value Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the discovery of Harappan artefacts during the nineteenth century?

They were not recognized as being of significance Signup and view all the answers

What do the depictions of ships and boats on seals suggest?

The Harappans had a well-developed naval trade Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the excavation of sites at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro?

The discovery of a new civilization Signup and view all the answers

What was the probable purpose of the sealing on the bags of goods?

To ensure the contents of the bag were not tampered with Signup and view all the answers

What is the name given to the culture with distinctive non-Harappan pottery and an unusual wealth of copper objects?

Ganeshwar-Jodhpura culture Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the discovery of similar seals at Mesopotamian sites?

It proved the existence of a contemporaneous civilization Signup and view all the answers

What is the probable material that was exchanged for Omani copper?

The contents of the Harappan jars Signup and view all the answers

What marked a major change in Indian archaeology?

John Marshall's stint as Director-General of the ASI Signup and view all the answers

What do the Mesopotamian texts refer to as the products from Meluhha?

Lapis lazuli, copper, and varieties of wood Signup and view all the answers

What was a limitation of John Marshall's excavation technique?

Ignoring the stratigraphy of the site Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant contribution of R.E.M. Wheeler to archaeology?

Recognizing the importance of following the stratigraphy of the mound Signup and view all the answers

Why have Indian archaeologists been spurred to search for new Harappan sites in India?

Due to the partition of the subcontinent and the creation of Pakistan Signup and view all the answers

What has been a focus of archaeologists studying the Harappan civilization in recent decades?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What has been a feature of Harappan archaeology since the 1980s?

Growing international interest Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of the joint international collaborations in Harappan archaeology?

Yielding interesting results in the future Signup and view all the answers

What type of materials generally decompose, especially in tropical regions?

Cloth, leather, wood, and reeds Signup and view all the answers

Why are valuable artefacts that are found intact often accidental discoveries?

Because they were lost in the past or hoarded and never retrieved Signup and view all the answers

According to archaeologists, how do you classify artefacts in terms of function?

By resemblance to present-day things, such as beads or querns Signup and view all the answers

Why do archaeologists think that only broken or useless objects would have been thrown away?

Because other objects would have been recycled Signup and view all the answers

What is one principle of classification for artefacts?

By material, such as stone or metal Signup and view all the answers

Why do archaeologists classify artefacts?

To understand the function of an artefact Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method archaeologists use to identify the function of an artefact?

By investigating the context in which it was found Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the god mentioned in the Rigveda that is similar to Shiva?

Rudra Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of using later traditions to reconstruct earlier religious practices?

It may not be accurate to assume that earlier practices were similar to later ones Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of finding a bilingual inscription?

It would reveal the language spoken by the Harappans Signup and view all the answers

What is the current understanding of the Harappan economy?

It was based on a mixture of agriculture, trade, and craft production Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the depictions of plants on some Harappan seals?

They suggest a belief in nature worship Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the terracotta figurines of women?

They were regarded as mother goddesses Signup and view all the answers

What is the current understanding of the social differences in the Harappan civilization?

There was a mixture of social classes and occupations Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the fire altars found at Kalibangan and Lothal?

They were used for ritual purposes Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the conical stone objects found at some Harappan sites?

They were classified as lingas Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used by archaeologists for a group of objects, distinctive in style, that are usually found together within a specific geographical area and period of time?

Culture Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the site where the unique culture of the Indus Valley Civilisation was first discovered?

Harappa Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the period from 2600 to 1900 BCE in the Indus Valley Civilisation?

Mature Harappan Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'Persian Gulf' seal found in Bahrain?

It shows the influence of Harappan motifs on other cultures Signup and view all the answers

What was the probable material used to make the Harappan seal?

Steatite Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the hoarding of objects, often made of metal, by people for reuse?

Hoard Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the citadel in the Harappan settlements?

It was a symbol of power and authority Signup and view all the answers

What was the probable reason for the destruction of Harappa?

Brick robbers Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the discovery of similar seals at Mesopotamian sites?

It indicates trade and cultural exchange between the two civilizations Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the dating system used in the book?

BP (Before Present) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method used to detect occupations in archaeological sites?

By analyzing the layers of occupational debris Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the study of layers in archaeological sites?

Stratigraphy Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a shaman in ancient societies?

To communicate with the other world and possess magical and healing powers Signup and view all the answers

What type of stones were used to make saddle querns in ancient Harappan sites?

Hard, gritty, igneous rock or sandstone Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'sterile layers' in archaeological sites?

They suggest the absence of occupations Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary function of the sumps in the long drainage channels?

To facilitate the cleaning of the drains Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason archaeologists use present-day analogies to understand ancient artifacts?

To try and understand what ancient artifacts were used for Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 'little heaps of material' found alongside the drainage channels?

They were a byproduct of the cleaning process Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the drains discovered in the ancient Harappan site of Mohenjodaro?

They were connected to every house in the city Signup and view all the answers

What was the material used to construct the drains at Lothal?

Burnt bricks Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'curry stones' discovered in the ancient Harappan site of Mohenjodaro?

They were used for pounding herbs and spices for making curries Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a saddle quern in ancient Harappan societies?

To process and grind food ingredients Signup and view all the answers

What was the condition of the human remains found in Deadman Lane?

Friable Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the stratigraphy of an archaeological site?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What was R.E.M. Wheeler's theory about the destruction of the Indus Valley Civilization?

It was destroyed by a deliberate and large-scale destruction Signup and view all the answers

What was George Dales' conclusion about the skeletons found at Mohenjodaro?

They were from different periods and contexts Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the citadel in Mohenjodaro?

It was a fortified area for defense Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Rigveda in the context of the Indus Valley Civilization?

It was a religious text that mentioned the civilization Signup and view all the answers

What was the archaeologist's mistake in interpreting the skeletons found at Mohenjodaro?

They assumed the skeletons were from the same period Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the re-examination of the data by archaeologists?

It led to a reversal of the earlier interpretations Signup and view all the answers

Harappan Civilisation and Archaeology

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary material used to make the Harappan seal?

What is the significance of the scripts found on the Harappan seals?

What is the primary source of information about the Harappan civilisation?

What is the characteristic of the settlements before the emergence of the Mature Harappan culture?

What is the significance of the large-scale burning at some sites and the abandonment of certain settlements?

What can be inferred from the development of the Mature Harappan culture in areas occupied by the Early Harappan cultures?

What was the primary source of evidence for reconstructing dietary practices of the Harappans?

What was the significance of the discovery of a ploughed field at Kalibangan?

What was unique about the bricks used at all Harappan settlements?

What was the purpose of the platforms on which buildings were constructed in the Citadel?

What can be inferred from the discovery of terracotta models of the plough?

What was the significance of the walled Citadel and Lower Town?

What can be inferred from the layout of roads and streets in the Lower Town?

What is the significance of the finds of fish and fowl bones at Harappan sites?

What was the likely use of water reservoirs found in Dholavira?

What is the significance of the discovery of canals at the Harappan site of Shortughai?

Why were little pots of faience considered precious?

What is unique about the distribution of rare objects made of valuable materials?

What is characteristic of the beads found at Chanhudaro?

How were steatite beads made?

What is the significance of waste material in identifying centres of craft production?

What was the likely purpose of the miniature pots of faience?

What is unique about the settlement of Chanhudaro?

What was the process of making beads from harder stones?

What was the significance of Nageshwar and Balakot?

What were the larger waste pieces of material sometimes used for?

Why did every house need to have at least one wall along a street in Mohenjodaro?

What was the likely purpose of the courtyard in the houses of Mohenjodaro?

What was unique about the windows in the houses of Mohenjodaro?

What feature did many houses in Mohenjodaro have that was accessible from the outside?

What was the purpose of the Great Bath in the Citadel of Mohenjodaro?

How did archaeologists use burials to identify social differences in the Harappan civilization?

What type of objects did archaeologists classify as 'luxuries' in the Harappan civilization?

What was the significance of the courtyard in the Great Bath of Mohenjodaro?

What feature did the houses of Mohenjodaro have that suggests a concern for privacy?

What was the estimated number of wells in Mohenjodaro?

What can be inferred about the script of the Harappan civilization?

What is the significance of the spacing on the Harappan seals?

What can be inferred about the literacy rate in the Harappan society?

What is the characteristic of the weights used in the Harappan system of exchange?

What is the significance of the uniformity of Harappan artefacts?

What can be inferred about the organisation of the Harappan society?

What is the significance of the 'priest-king' statue?

What is the characteristic of the Harappan settlements after 1900 BCE?

What brought about the changes in the Harappan society around 1800 BCE?

What is the characteristic of the 'Late Harappan' or 'successor cultures'?

What was the primary reason for the collapse of the entire Harappan civilization?

What was likely the purpose of the thick coating on the Harappan jars found in Oman?

What was Cunningham's main area of interest?

What was the probable source of copper for the Harappans?

What was the significance of the discovery of similar seals at Mohenjo-Daro?

What was the significance of John Marshall's announcement in 1924?

What do the Mesopotamian texts suggest about the region of Meluhha?

Why did Cunningham not realize the significance of the Harappan seal?

What was the likely purpose of the settlements established by the Harappans in areas such as Nageshwar and Balakot?

What do the finds of Harappan artefacts such as steatite micro beads in areas like south India suggest?

What was the result of Cunningham's excavation of sites?

What was the significance of the discovery of Harappan artefacts during the nineteenth century?

What do the depictions of ships and boats on seals suggest?

What was the result of the excavation of sites at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro?

What was the probable purpose of the sealing on the bags of goods?

What is the name given to the culture with distinctive non-Harappan pottery and an unusual wealth of copper objects?

What was the significance of the discovery of similar seals at Mesopotamian sites?

What is the probable material that was exchanged for Omani copper?

What marked a major change in Indian archaeology?

What do the Mesopotamian texts refer to as the products from Meluhha?

What was a limitation of John Marshall's excavation technique?

What was a significant contribution of R.E.M. Wheeler to archaeology?

Why have Indian archaeologists been spurred to search for new Harappan sites in India?

What has been a focus of archaeologists studying the Harappan civilization in recent decades?

What has been a feature of Harappan archaeology since the 1980s?

What is the benefit of the joint international collaborations in Harappan archaeology?

What type of materials generally decompose, especially in tropical regions?

Why are valuable artefacts that are found intact often accidental discoveries?

According to archaeologists, how do you classify artefacts in terms of function?

Why do archaeologists think that only broken or useless objects would have been thrown away?

What is one principle of classification for artefacts?