Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation

About this unit

This unit introduces the Harappan or Indus Valley civilisation, one of the earliest urban cultures of the world. Because its script has not been read, almost everything we know comes from archaeology: excavated cities, bricks, beads, bones, pottery, seals and weights. The chapter shows how archaeologists turn such objects into history, and how they reconstruct food habits, town planning, crafts, trade, social differences and the eventual decline of the cities.

Key ideas

• The Mature Harappan phase is broadly dated to about 2600–1900 BCE.
• The civilisation is named after Harappa, the first site to be discovered.
• Mohenjodaro shows careful planning: a Citadel, a Lower Town, grid roads and covered drains.
• Craft production used shell, carnelian, faience, copper and stone, some brought from far away.
• Seals, an undeciphered script and standardised weights point to organised exchange.
• Archaeologists debate who ruled and why the cities declined.

How to prepare

Learn the names of the main sites and what each is known for (Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Lothal, Kalibangan, Dholavira, Chanhudaro, Banawali, Nageshwar, Balakot, Shortughai). Remember the roles of Cunningham, Marshall and Wheeler. Expect questions that ask you to infer something from a piece of archaeological evidence.