Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary material used to make the Harappan seal?
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 significance of the scripts found on the Harappan seals?
What is the primary source of information about the Harappan civilisation?
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 characteristic of the settlements before the emergence of the Mature Harappan culture?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the large-scale burning at some sites and the abandonment of certain settlements?
What is the significance of the large-scale burning at some sites and the abandonment of certain settlements?
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?
What can be inferred from the development of the Mature Harappan culture in areas occupied by the Early Harappan cultures?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the primary source of evidence for reconstructing dietary practices of the Harappans?
What was the primary source of evidence for reconstructing dietary practices of the Harappans?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of the discovery of a ploughed field at Kalibangan?
What was the significance of the discovery of a ploughed field at Kalibangan?
Signup and view all the answers
What was unique about the bricks used at all Harappan settlements?
What was unique about the bricks used at all Harappan settlements?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the purpose of the platforms on which buildings were constructed in the Citadel?
What was the purpose of the platforms on which buildings were constructed in the Citadel?
Signup and view all the answers
What can be inferred from the discovery of terracotta models of the plough?
What can be inferred from the discovery of terracotta models of the plough?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of the walled Citadel and Lower Town?
What was the significance of the walled Citadel and Lower Town?
Signup and view all the answers
What can be inferred from the layout of roads and streets in the Lower Town?
What can be inferred from the layout of roads and streets in the Lower Town?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the finds of fish and fowl bones at Harappan sites?
What is the significance of the finds of fish and fowl bones at Harappan sites?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the likely use of water reservoirs found in Dholavira?
What was the likely use of water reservoirs found in Dholavira?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the discovery of canals at the Harappan site of Shortughai?
What is the significance of the discovery of canals at the Harappan site of Shortughai?
Signup and view all the answers
Why were little pots of faience considered precious?
Why were little pots of faience considered precious?
Signup and view all the answers
What is unique about the distribution of rare objects made of valuable materials?
What is unique about the distribution of rare objects made of valuable materials?
Signup and view all the answers
What is characteristic of the beads found at Chanhudaro?
What is characteristic of the beads found at Chanhudaro?
Signup and view all the answers
How were steatite beads made?
How were steatite beads made?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of waste material in identifying centres of craft production?
What is the significance of waste material in identifying centres of craft production?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the likely purpose of the miniature pots of faience?
What was the likely purpose of the miniature pots of faience?
Signup and view all the answers
What is unique about the settlement of Chanhudaro?
What is unique about the settlement of Chanhudaro?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the process of making beads from harder stones?
What was the process of making beads from harder stones?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of Nageshwar and Balakot?
What was the significance of Nageshwar and Balakot?
Signup and view all the answers
What were the larger waste pieces of material sometimes used for?
What were the larger waste pieces of material sometimes used for?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did every house need to have at least one wall along a street in Mohenjodaro?
Why did every house need to have at least one wall along a street in Mohenjodaro?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the likely purpose of the courtyard in the houses of Mohenjodaro?
What was the likely purpose of the courtyard in the houses of Mohenjodaro?
Signup and view all the answers
What was unique about the windows in the houses of Mohenjodaro?
What was unique about the windows in the houses of Mohenjodaro?
Signup and view all the answers
What feature did many houses in Mohenjodaro have that was accessible from the outside?
What feature did many houses in Mohenjodaro have that was accessible from the outside?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the purpose of the Great Bath in the Citadel of Mohenjodaro?
What was the purpose of the Great Bath in the Citadel of Mohenjodaro?
Signup and view all the answers
How did archaeologists use burials to identify social differences in the Harappan civilization?
How did archaeologists use burials to identify social differences in the Harappan civilization?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of objects did archaeologists classify as 'luxuries' in the Harappan civilization?
What type of objects did archaeologists classify as 'luxuries' in the Harappan civilization?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of the courtyard in the Great Bath of Mohenjodaro?
What was the significance of the courtyard in the Great Bath of Mohenjodaro?
Signup and view all the answers
What feature did the houses of Mohenjodaro have that suggests a concern for privacy?
What feature did the houses of Mohenjodaro have that suggests a concern for privacy?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the estimated number of wells in Mohenjodaro?
What was the estimated number of wells in Mohenjodaro?
Signup and view all the answers
What can be inferred about the script of the Harappan civilization?
What can be inferred about the script of the Harappan civilization?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the spacing on the Harappan seals?
What is the significance of the spacing on the Harappan seals?
Signup and view all the answers
What can be inferred about the literacy rate in the Harappan society?
What can be inferred about the literacy rate in the Harappan society?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic of the weights used in the Harappan system of exchange?
What is the characteristic of the weights used in the Harappan system of exchange?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the uniformity of Harappan artefacts?
What is the significance of the uniformity of Harappan artefacts?
Signup and view all the answers
What can be inferred about the organisation of the Harappan society?
What can be inferred about the organisation of the Harappan society?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the 'priest-king' statue?
What is the significance of the 'priest-king' statue?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic of the Harappan settlements after 1900 BCE?
What is the characteristic of the Harappan settlements after 1900 BCE?
Signup and view all the answers
What brought about the changes in the Harappan society around 1800 BCE?
What brought about the changes in the Harappan society around 1800 BCE?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic of the 'Late Harappan' or 'successor cultures'?
What is the characteristic of the 'Late Harappan' or 'successor cultures'?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the primary reason for the collapse of the entire Harappan civilization?
What was the primary reason for the collapse of the entire Harappan civilization?
Signup and view all the answers
What was likely the purpose of the thick coating on the Harappan jars found in Oman?
What was likely the purpose of the thick coating on the Harappan jars found in Oman?
Signup and view all the answers
What was Cunningham's main area of interest?
What was Cunningham's main area of interest?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the probable source of copper for the Harappans?
What was the probable source of copper for the Harappans?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of the discovery of similar seals at Mohenjo-Daro?
What was the significance of the discovery of similar seals at Mohenjo-Daro?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of John Marshall's announcement in 1924?
What was the significance of John Marshall's announcement in 1924?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the Mesopotamian texts suggest about the region of Meluhha?
What do the Mesopotamian texts suggest about the region of Meluhha?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did Cunningham not realize the significance of the Harappan seal?
Why did Cunningham not realize the significance of the Harappan seal?
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?
What was the likely purpose of the settlements established by the Harappans in areas such as Nageshwar and Balakot?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the finds of Harappan artefacts such as steatite micro beads in areas like south India suggest?
What do the finds of Harappan artefacts such as steatite micro beads in areas like south India suggest?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the result of Cunningham's excavation of sites?
What was the result of Cunningham's excavation of sites?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of the discovery of Harappan artefacts during the nineteenth century?
What was the significance of the discovery of Harappan artefacts during the nineteenth century?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the depictions of ships and boats on seals suggest?
What do the depictions of ships and boats on seals suggest?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the result of the excavation of sites at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro?
What was the result of the excavation of sites at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the probable purpose of the sealing on the bags of goods?
What was the probable purpose of the sealing on the bags of goods?
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?
What is the name given to the culture with distinctive non-Harappan pottery and an unusual wealth of copper objects?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of the discovery of similar seals at Mesopotamian sites?
What was the significance of the discovery of similar seals at Mesopotamian sites?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the probable material that was exchanged for Omani copper?
What is the probable material that was exchanged for Omani copper?
Signup and view all the answers
What marked a major change in Indian archaeology?
What marked a major change in Indian archaeology?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the Mesopotamian texts refer to as the products from Meluhha?
What do the Mesopotamian texts refer to as the products from Meluhha?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a limitation of John Marshall's excavation technique?
What was a limitation of John Marshall's excavation technique?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a significant contribution of R.E.M. Wheeler to archaeology?
What was a significant contribution of R.E.M. Wheeler to archaeology?
Signup and view all the answers
Why have Indian archaeologists been spurred to search for new Harappan sites in India?
Why have Indian archaeologists been spurred to search for new Harappan sites in India?
Signup and view all the answers
What has been a focus of archaeologists studying the Harappan civilization in recent decades?
What has been a focus of archaeologists studying the Harappan civilization in recent decades?
Signup and view all the answers
What has been a feature of Harappan archaeology since the 1980s?
What has been a feature of Harappan archaeology since the 1980s?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the benefit of the joint international collaborations in Harappan archaeology?
What is the benefit of the joint international collaborations in Harappan archaeology?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of materials generally decompose, especially in tropical regions?
What type of materials generally decompose, especially in tropical regions?
Signup and view all the answers
Why are valuable artefacts that are found intact often accidental discoveries?
Why are valuable artefacts that are found intact often accidental discoveries?
Signup and view all the answers
According to archaeologists, how do you classify artefacts in terms of function?
According to archaeologists, how do you classify artefacts in terms of function?
Signup and view all the answers
Why do archaeologists think that only broken or useless objects would have been thrown away?
Why do archaeologists think that only broken or useless objects would have been thrown away?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one principle of classification for artefacts?
What is one principle of classification for artefacts?
Signup and view all the answers
Why do archaeologists classify artefacts?
Why do archaeologists classify artefacts?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary method archaeologists use to identify the function of an artefact?
What is the primary method archaeologists use to identify the function of an artefact?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of the god mentioned in the Rigveda that is similar to Shiva?
What is the name of the god mentioned in the Rigveda that is similar to Shiva?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the limitation of using later traditions to reconstruct earlier religious practices?
What is the limitation of using later traditions to reconstruct earlier religious practices?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of finding a bilingual inscription?
What is the significance of finding a bilingual inscription?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the current understanding of the Harappan economy?
What is the current understanding of the Harappan economy?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the depictions of plants on some Harappan seals?
What is the significance of the depictions of plants on some Harappan seals?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the terracotta figurines of women?
What is the significance of the terracotta figurines of women?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the current understanding of the social differences in the Harappan civilization?
What is the current understanding of the social differences in the Harappan civilization?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the fire altars found at Kalibangan and Lothal?
What is the significance of the fire altars found at Kalibangan and Lothal?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the conical stone objects found at some Harappan sites?
What is the significance of the conical stone objects found at some Harappan sites?
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?
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?
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?
What is the name of the site where the unique culture of the Indus Valley Civilisation was first discovered?
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?
What is the term used to describe the period from 2600 to 1900 BCE in the Indus Valley Civilisation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the 'Persian Gulf' seal found in Bahrain?
What is the significance of the 'Persian Gulf' seal found in Bahrain?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the probable material used to make the Harappan seal?
What was the probable material used to make the Harappan seal?
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?
What is the term used to describe the hoarding of objects, often made of metal, by people for reuse?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the citadel in the Harappan settlements?
What is the significance of the citadel in the Harappan settlements?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the probable reason for the destruction of Harappa?
What was the probable reason for the destruction of Harappa?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the discovery of similar seals at Mesopotamian sites?
What is the significance of the discovery of similar seals at Mesopotamian sites?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term used to describe the dating system used in the book?
What is the term used to describe the dating system used in the book?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary method used to detect occupations in archaeological sites?
What is the primary method used to detect occupations in archaeological sites?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term used to describe the study of layers in archaeological sites?
What is the term used to describe the study of layers in archaeological sites?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of a shaman in ancient societies?
What is the purpose of a shaman in ancient societies?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of stones were used to make saddle querns in ancient Harappan sites?
What type of stones were used to make saddle querns in ancient Harappan sites?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the 'sterile layers' in archaeological sites?
What is the significance of the 'sterile layers' in archaeological sites?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the primary function of the sumps in the long drainage channels?
What was the primary function of the sumps in the long drainage channels?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary reason archaeologists use present-day analogies to understand ancient artifacts?
What is the primary reason archaeologists use present-day analogies to understand ancient artifacts?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of the 'little heaps of material' found alongside the drainage channels?
What was the significance of the 'little heaps of material' found alongside the drainage channels?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic of the drains discovered in the ancient Harappan site of Mohenjodaro?
What is the characteristic of the drains discovered in the ancient Harappan site of Mohenjodaro?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the material used to construct the drains at Lothal?
What was the material used to construct the drains at Lothal?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the 'curry stones' discovered in the ancient Harappan site of Mohenjodaro?
What is the significance of the 'curry stones' discovered in the ancient Harappan site of Mohenjodaro?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary purpose of a saddle quern in ancient Harappan societies?
What is the primary purpose of a saddle quern in ancient Harappan societies?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the condition of the human remains found in Deadman Lane?
What was the condition of the human remains found in Deadman Lane?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the stratigraphy of an archaeological site?
What is the significance of the stratigraphy of an archaeological site?
Signup and view all the answers
What was R.E.M. Wheeler's theory about the destruction of the Indus Valley Civilization?
What was R.E.M. Wheeler's theory about the destruction of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Signup and view all the answers
What was George Dales' conclusion about the skeletons found at Mohenjodaro?
What was George Dales' conclusion about the skeletons found at Mohenjodaro?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the purpose of the citadel in Mohenjodaro?
What was the purpose of the citadel in Mohenjodaro?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of the Rigveda in the context of the Indus Valley Civilization?
What was the significance of the Rigveda in the context of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the archaeologist's mistake in interpreting the skeletons found at Mohenjodaro?
What was the archaeologist's mistake in interpreting the skeletons found at Mohenjodaro?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the result of the re-examination of the data by archaeologists?
What was the result of the re-examination of the data by archaeologists?
Signup and view all the answers