Relevance:
Recent excavations at Gujarat’s Harappan necropolis revealed the death rituals of 5,000 years ago.
Key Findings:
- Excavations at Juna Khatiya village (Kutch district) found rows of graves with skeletal remains, ceramic pots, beaded jewellery, animal bones etc.
- These are from 3,200 BCE to 2,600 BCE, (pre-urban Harappan) predating several other Harappan sites in the state.
- Other sites like Dholavira have a cemetery in and around the town, but no major habitation has been discovered here.
- Transition from earth-mound burials to stone graves.
- Pottery – Similar to those excavated from early Harappan sites in Sindh and Balochistan.
- Construction materials – Pebbles of local rock, basalt, clay etc.
- Major burial practises –
- 3 known types of burial customs: complete burial, fractional burial and urn burial (Burial of the ashes after cremation).
- Most common burial method: Placing body with head towards north in a simple pit or brick chamber.
- Grave goods including food, pottery, tools and ornaments can be found along with the body.
- Lothal – Evidence of burial of pairs of male and female together.
Reference: Times of India
Which of the following characterizes/ characterize the people of Indus Civilization? (2013)
- They possessed great palaces and temples.
- They worshipped both male and female deities.
- They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare.
Select the correct statement/ statements using the codes given below.
a). 1 and 2 only
b). 2 only
c). 1, 2 and 3
d). None of the statements given above is correct
