Harappan burials
Topic: Harappan (Sindhu-Sarasvati) Civilisation · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 1 "Bricks, Beads and Bones"
Meaning
The Harappans usually buried their dead in pits. Some pits were lined with bricks, but it is unclear whether this shows social difference. Some graves had pottery, ornaments for both men and women, and copper mirrors. The Harappans did not bury great wealth with the dead. So graves show little difference between rich and poor.
Example
In a cemetery at Harappa, excavated in the 1980s, a male skull was found with shell rings, a jasper bead and hundreds of tiny beads. In Egypt, by contrast, kings were buried in huge pyramids full of treasure.
Don't confuse with
- Egyptian royal burials: pyramids packed with riches for kings. Harappan graves were modest and held no great wealth.
Related concepts
- Harappan political authority
- Priest-king
- Harappan religion
- Mother goddess figurines
- Pashupati seal
- Fire altars