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Slides of photographs of clay fingurines and statues which were excavated from archaeological sites of the ancient Indus Valley peoples by Georg Helmes.

A group of terracotta figurines from Harappa

After many decades of research, the Indus Civilization is still something of an enigma -- an ancient civilization with a writing system that still awaits convincing decipherment, monumental architecture whose function still eludes us, no monumental … >

Female figurine with a "turban" from Harappa

The hair of female figurines is sometimes bound up in a sort of "turban". Approximate dimensions (W x H x D): 3.6 x 9.5 x 2.8 cm. >

Female figurine with three chokers/necklaces from Harappa

One of the largest female figurines found at Harappa has a (badly broken) fan-shaped pannier headdress with black residue in the cups of the panniers and a forward-projecting face. She is heavily ornamented with an elaborate choker and two other nec… >

"Fat" female figurine from Harappa

Although most Indus Civilization female figurines are quite curvaceous, some "fat" female figurines are also found. These are often hollow, but sometimes solid. Like other Indus female figurines, some of these "fat" figurines are holding infants at … >

Female figurine nursing an infant from Harappa

The infants being nursed by female figurines are usually very schematically represented by a bent and pinched roll of clay with or without applied eyes. The head, body, and legs of the infant are usually pressed against the female’s breast and torso… >

Water buffalo figurine from Harappa

Some quadruped figurines are difficult to classify because the general form and many of the attributes of humpless cattle, water buffalo, and even rams may be very similar. Any of the three may have incising on the face and/or horns. Sometimes the s… >

Two feline figurines from Harappa

Other feline figurines with large round ears and beards may represent tigers or lions. They are often depicted either standing or lying down with their legs extended to one side. Approximate dimensions (W x H(L) x D) of the larger figurine: 3.3 x… >

Unidentified animal figurine from Harappa

Although many animal figurines have identifiable traits (e. g., the applied "hide" and horn typical of a rhinoceros figurine), some figurines are not readily identifiable. Animal figurines that are badly broken are sometimes particularly difficult t… >

Movable head of a bovine figurine from Harappa

Some movable figurine heads are pierced in other places, such as through the horns on either side of the head. Approximate dimensions (W x H(L) x D): 7.2 x 9.4 x 3.0 cm. >

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