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Ancient Indus Zebu (Bos Primigenius Indicus) figurines, seals and motifs. The Zebu is also known as the humped cattle or Brahman.

Three Early Harappan zebu figurines from Harappa

The earliest animal figurines from Harappa are Early Harappan (Ravi Phase, Period 1 and Kot Diji Phase, Period 2) zebu figurines. They are typically very small with joined legs and stylized humps. A few of these zebu figurines have holes through the… >

Early Harappan zebu figurine with incised spots from Harappa.

Some of the Early Harappan zebu figurines were decorated. One example has incised oval spots. It is also stained a deep red, an extreme example of the types of stains often found on figurines that are usually found in trash and waste deposits. Ap… >

Zebu figurine with painted designs from Harappa

Other animal and sometimes anthropomorphic figurines are decorated with black stripes and other patterns, and features such as eyes are also sometimes rendered in pigment. Figurines of cattle with and without humps are found at Indus sites, possibly… >

Wheeled zebu figurine from Harappa

A small subset of the figurines from Harappa originally had wheels. Of the many small terracotta wheels found at Harappa, at least some must have been intended for these wheeled objects. One style of wheeled figurine has lateral holes for the axles … >

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