Discoveries

Questions about the academic study of and recent discoveries made while excavating the ancient Indus Valley sites - includes historical, anthropological, and archaeological approaches.

19. What have been the most interesting findings about the Harappan Civilization during the last two decades?

What in your view are the most exciting, significant or illuminating insights gained? What avenues would you like to explore in future asssuming absolutely no practical or financial constraints whatsoever? Submitted by Paul Toth and Gharial Abramnova from school student questions

9. Have any artifacts been found with discernible ancient fingerprints?

Jane McIntosh

Or ever two distinct artifacts with the same sets of fingerprints on them? Is there anyone studying indus valley artifacts with this approach and is there anything we can tell from it? Submitted by Ezb

Jane McIntosh
I am not aware of any studies specifically dealing with fingerprints on Harappan pottery. Kenoyer notes that some of the Ravi-period (pre-Harappan) beads at Harappa were decorated with finger marks.

31. What is the best thing that could happen to ancient Indus studies?

Jane McIntosh
Decipherment of the Indus script would be helpful – if nothing else, it should conclusively settle the non-Aryan/Aryan dispute – but the amount of information this would yield is severely limited.

44. Who is excavating in the ancient Indus area right now, and where and can students participate?

Richard H. Meadow

Shereen Ratnagar

Rita P. Wright

Submitted bu Ane À Ailes

57. Have any ship wrecked Indus ships been discovered? There should have been many due to the extensive trade with Sumeria over many centuries.

Dennys Frenez

Jonathan Mark Kenoyer

Massimo Vidale

Paolo Biagi

Randall Law

Dennys Frenez