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First Excavations at Harappa
1924-25: A Lost City Emerges

Game, Bone and Shell Objects

10 small objects in two rows of five each.

Top row: Similar looking objects published in Vats 1940 (Vol. II), Plate CXVII, nos. 28-31.

Vats described these as “chessman shaped lingams” and mentioned that they “are found in very large numbers and are made of various materials, viz., chalcedony, carnelian, lapis lazuli, cherty limestone, grey sandstone with or without bands, yellow Jaisalmer stone, alabaster, imitation carnelian, faience, paste, shell, ivory and terracotta. Their height ranges between 0.5 in. to over 5 in. Of these, the faience paste and pottery ones are frequently holed in the centre of the base.” (Vats 1940, p. 369).

Two on left: animal figurines.

Right: Possibly a faience ear stud, similar looking object published in Vats 1940 (Vol. II) Plate CXXXIX nos. 27, 28. Could either be 27 or 28; both found in Mound F, and described by Vats:
“No. 27, (11413) is 0.4 in. long and 0.3 in. in diameter at the ends. Mound F, Trench VI, Square P 11/6; Depth 3 ft. b.s.; Stratum I.

No. 28 (5566) is 0.35 in. long and 0.45 in. in diameter at one end and 0.4 in. at the other. Mound F, Trench III, Square N 10/6; Depth 7 ft. b.s.; Stratum III.” (1940, p. 446)

Vats noted: “Only three ear-studs, all of faience, have been found at Harappa. Their shape roughly resembles a reel with convex ends, but none of them is quite regular.-
Their length varies between 0.35 and 0.4 in.” (ibid.)

NOTE: The find numbers written on the back of the photograph A 280, AB 867, AB 709, A 27, P I85, P I83.

Slide Year
1924-25: A Lost City Emerges
ASI Number
1411/86
Punjab Volume
33
Silver Plate
I. 56
Bone Tools
Shells
Games
Harappa
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