Harappa Archaeological Research Project

HARP (Harappa Archaeological Research Project) a group of scholars from a variety of fields dedicated to advancing the study of the ancient Indus Valley civilization.

Steatite beads

Steatite beads from the Early Harappan Periods at Harappa. On the right are many different styles of Ravi Phase beads (circa 3300-2800 BC). Note the blue green glazed bead in the center and the row of unfired beads in the second to the bottom row.

Ravi Phase beads

These beads from the Ravi Phase (3300-2800 BCE) at Harappa have been made from carnelian and amazonite (right hand bead). The raw material used to make these beads was brought to the site from source areas probably in Gujarat, over 900 km to the

Inscribed fragment

Inscribed lead celt or ingot fragment from the Trench 54 area (H2000-4481/2174-321). The object was apparently chiseled to reduce its size. Lead may have been used as an alloy with copper, for making pigments, or as medicine.

Gold bead

Composite gold bead with copper-alloy core or wire on interior. The corroded copper still covers part of the tubular gold bead. (H2000-4488/9829-01, Mound AB, Trench 43).

Gold Disc

Fired steatite beads appear to have been extremely important to the Indus people because they were incorporated into exquisite ornaments, such as this "eye bead" made of gold with steatite inlay found in 1995 at Harappa [Harappa Phase].

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