Single Bead Pot (Collection)

  • Faience beads of different shapes and colors were found in the bead pot. Some of these appear to be imitations of the natural stones; deep azure blue lapis lazuli, blue-green turquoise and banded to imitate banded agate. A small pot was found on the floor just to the west of the large globular vessel (the big hole in the wall is where it once sat). In the foreground are other large jars set into the floor and used as hearths or garbage pits. Trench 38, Late Harappan Period ( ca. 1900 - < 1300? BCE). Careful excavations of the pot by J. M. Kenoyer required several weeks. This was done in the evenings after other excavation lab work was finished. The pot and its contents were photographed before and after each layer was removed. (Photo by Manabu Koiso) Initial probing to determine the contents of this small pot (169) from Trench 38, Late Harappan Period, revealed the presence of carnelian and faience beads. After removal of the overlying sediment it was clear that the pot was filled with beads. Each bead was mapped in and then photographed before removal. In the lower levels were many tiny beads that had settled to the bottom. The small Late Harappan Period Pot yielded 133 beads & other decorative objects. Although left behind by a bead collector at almost 1700 BC, the wide variety of beads & other objects found inside the pot belong to all periods of Harappan occupation. In addition to carnelian & faience beads (the most numerous), the vessel contained what we first thought was a red-brown glass bead. Analysis conducted by Robert Brill (and colleagues) at Corning Museum of Glass determined it isn't glass, but crystalline rock.
    Faience beads of different shapes and colors were found in the bead pot. Some of these appear to be imitations of the natural stones; deep azure blue lapis lazuli, blue-green turquoise and banded to imitate banded agate. A small pot was found on the floor just to the west of the large globular vessel (the big hole in the wall is where it once sat). In the foreground are other large jars set into the floor and used as hearths or garbage pits. Trench 38, Late Harappan Period ( ca. 1900 - < 1300? BCE). Careful excavations of the pot by J. M. Kenoyer required several weeks. This was done in the evenings after other excavation lab work was finished. The pot and its contents were photographed before and after each layer was removed. (Photo by Manabu Koiso) Initial probing to determine the contents of this small pot (169) from Trench 38, Late Harappan Period, revealed the presence of carnelian and faience beads. After removal of the overlying sediment it was clear that the pot was filled with beads. Each bead was mapped in and then photographed before removal. In the lower levels were many tiny beads that had settled to the bottom. The small Late Harappan Period Pot yielded 133 beads & other decorative objects. Although left behind by a bead collector at almost 1700 BC, the wide variety of beads & other objects found inside the pot belong to all periods of Harappan occupation. In addition to carnelian & faience beads (the most numerous), the vessel contained what we first thought was a red-brown glass bead. Analysis conducted by Robert Brill (and colleagues) at Corning Museum of Glass determined it isn't glass, but crystalline rock.

A single bead pot with a private collection of 133 beads from about 1700 BCE found at Harappa in 1996. This amazing find included beads from all phases of Harappan occupation, in carnelian, faience, and even an unknown type of crystalline rock.

See also Jewelry from Mohenjo-daro.

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