Harappan Civilization: Mohenjodaro Urban Centre

Questions and Answers

What is the approximate time period of the Lower Palaeolithic period?

80,000 BP

2 million BP (correct)

35,000 BP

12,000 BP

What is the material used to make the cart shown in Fig. 1.29?

Terracotta (correct)

Jasper

Chalcedony

Lapis lazuli

What is the time period of the Early Historic period?

400 CE - 1000 CE

1000 BCE - 600 BCE

2600 BCE - 1000 BCE

600 BCE - 400 CE (correct)

What is the possible use of the small cones made of lapis lazuli, jasper, and chalcedony?

As lingas Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the excavator who wrote about the small cones made of lapis lazuli, jasper, and chalcedony?

Mackay Signup and view all the answers

What is the period when the first use of copper began?

Chalcolithic Signup and view all the answers

What is the time period of the Harappan civilisation?

2600 BCE - 1000 BCE Signup and view all the answers

What is the material of the stones that Mackay wrote about?

Lapis lazuli, jasper, and chalcedony Signup and view all the answers

What is the period when the early agriculturists and pastoralists emerged?

Neolithic Signup and view all the answers

What is the publication year of Mackay's book, 'Early Indus Civilisation'?

1948 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mohenjodaro: A Planned Urban Centre

The Harappan civilization developed planned urban centers, with Mohenjodaro being one of the most well-known sites.
The settlement is divided into two sections: the Citadel (smaller but higher) and the Lower Town (larger but lower).
The Citadel was constructed on mud brick platforms, walled, and physically separated from the Lower Town.
The Lower Town was also walled, with buildings constructed on platforms serving as foundations.
Drainage systems were found in both larger and smaller settlements, including Lothal.

The Citadel

The Citadel contains structures that were likely used for special public purposes, such as a warehouse and the Great Bath.

Archaeologists study artefacts to identify social differences, classifying them as utilitarian (daily use) or luxuries (rare, made from costly materials, or with complicated technologies).
Luxuries, such as faience pots, were difficult to make and considered precious.
Distribution of artefacts shows that rare objects made of valuable materials are concentrated in large settlements like Mohenjodaro and Harappa, and rarely found in smaller settlements.

Hoards and Artefacts

Hoards are objects kept carefully by people, often inside containers, such as jewellery or metal objects saved for reuse.
Artefacts found in layers can be assigned to specific cultural periods, providing the cultural sequence for a site.

Excavation Techniques

Early archaeologists, like Wheeler, recognized the importance of following the stratigraphy of the mound rather than digging mechanically along uniform horizontal lines.
Wheeler introduced a military precision to the practice of archaeology, ensuring that valuable information about the context of finds was not lost.

Harappan Civilization and National Boundaries

The frontiers of the Harappan civilization have little or no connection with present-day national boundaries.
With the partition of the subcontinent, the major known sites became part of Pakistan.

Reconstructing the Harappan Economy

Archaeological evidence has reconstructed aspects of the Harappan economy, including the use of querns, pottery, and other artefacts.
The economy was likely based on agriculture, with evidence of trade and commerce.