List the materials used to make beads in the Harappan civilisation. Describe the process by which any one kind of bead was made.
The Harappan civilisation used a remarkable variety of materials to make beads. These included stones like carnelian (known for its beautiful red colour), jasper, crystal, quartz and steatite. Metals such as copper, bronze and gold were also used. Other materials included shell, faience and terracotta (burnt clay). Some beads were made of two or more stones cemented together, and some had gold caps.
The process of making carnelian beads was intricate. Archaeologists' experiments revealed that the red colour was obtained by firing the yellowish raw material at various stages of production. Nodules were first chipped into rough shapes, then finely flaked into the final form. The process was completed through grinding, polishing and drilling. Specialised drills for this purpose have been found at Chanhudaro, Lothal and Dholavira.
The beads came in numerous shapes – disc-shaped, cylindrical, spherical, barrel-shaped, and segmented. Some were decorated by incising, painting, or had designs etched onto them. This shows the advanced craftsmanship of the Harappan people.
Explanation
This answer addresses both parts of the question comprehensively. The first part lists all materials mentioned in the textbook context - stones (carnian, jasper, crystal, quartz, steatite), metals (copper, bronze, gold), and other materials (shell, faience, terracotta). The second part describes the carnelian bead-making process in detail, as it is the most elaborately described process in the provided context. The answer includes key archaeological sites where drills were found and mentions the decorative techniques used.