Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation

Archaeologists use present-day analogies to try and understand what ancient artefacts were used for. Mackay was comparing present-day querns with what he found. Is this a useful strategy?

Which of the architectural features of Mohenjodaro indicate planning?

Are there other structures on the Citadel apart from the warehouse and the Great Bath?

Should the stone artefacts illustrated in the chapter be considered as utilitarian objects or as luxuries? Are there any that may fall into both categories?

What were the possible routes from the Harappan region to Oman, Dilmun and Mesopotamia?

Which of the themes in this chapter would have interested Cunningham? Which are the issues that have been of interest since 1947?

What are the aspects of Harappan economy that have been reconstructed from archaeological evidence?

List the items of food available to people in Harappan cities. Identify the groups who would have provided these.

How do archaeologists trace socio-economic differences in Harappan society? What are the differences that they notice?

Would you agree that the drainage system in Harappan cities indicates town planning? Give reasons for your answer.

List the materials used to make beads in the Harappan civilisation. Describe the process by which any one kind of bead was made.

Describe some of the distinctive features of Mohenjodaro.

List the raw materials required for craft production in the Harappan civilisation and discuss how these might have been obtained.

Discuss how archaeologists reconstruct the past.

Discuss the functions that may have been performed by rulers in Harappan society.

Find out if there are any museums in your town. Visit one of them and write a report on any ten items, describing how old they are, where they were found, and why you think they are on display.