Ancient Indus questions answered by Dr. Richard H. Meadow, Peabody Museum, Harvard University, and author of Harappa Excavation Reports 1986-1990 and South Asian Archaeology 1989. He has numerous articles on this website, and slideshows like Intro to Around the Indus in 90 Slides 2, Mystery at Mound F, Harappa, Harappa 2000-2001, Harappa Excavations 1995-2001, and the illustrated essays Recent Indus Discoveries and Highlights from Excavations at Harappa 1998-2000 and Early Developments of Art, Symbol, Technology in the Indus Valley Tradition.

47. What is this terracotta basin?

Richard H. Meadow

Another interesting artifact in the National Museum is a terracotta basin. It is rectangular in shape rounded at edges, about 3 feet long and 9 inches deep. It is integrated with six legs 6 inches high and is rimmed. It has holes along its lower circumference, probably to drain out liquid. Could it be a baby's bath tub? Was it used to wash raw stones prior to chipping away impurities in bead making process? Or was there any other use? Submitted with illustration by Vasant Dave

43. How does the dolphin appear in Indus iconography?

Richard H. Meadow

Is there any sign of the blind dolphin of the Indus?

Richard Meadow
I do not think the Indus dolphin appears in the iconography, although I stand to be corrected. The gharial or Indus crocodile does appear depicted on iconography of the Indus period, primarily on moulded "tablets" or "tokens".

15. How peaceful was Harappan Civilization?

Iravatham Mahadevan
Jane McIntosh
Richard H. Meadow
Shereen Ratnagar

Harappan Civilisation is often characterised (for example by the Director of the British Museum on a Radio 4 series) or even idealised as peaceful and without warfare or conquest, (in comparison with all other First Civilisations) with its cities linked across vast regions and unified (variously) by trade and/or religion. Rulers have even been said to be priests or a theocracy. These interpretations are often presented as facts in books or articles for general consumption.

13. What kinds of things did the Indus people eat?

Jane McIntosh
Richard H. Meadow

What is known about the food habits of the Indus Valley people? Have any cooking utensils/equipment, charred remains of food or agricultural implements been found? Wheat kind of bread was their staple, perhaps baked in ovens or cooked over fire? Did they grow lentils - one of the key elements of sub-continental food? Submitted by Colleen