Slides by Richard H. Meadow, Project Director of HARP (Harappa Archaeological Research Project). His excavations focus on the ancient Indus Valley sites in Pakistan including Balakot near Karachi, Mehrgarh in Baluchistan, and Harappa since 1995.
Some terracotta figurines such as the unusual ithyphallic pot-bellied animal figurines with tails and holes through the shoulders for movable arms were probably used as toys or puppets. A few examples also have holes in their bases. Approximate … >
At the peak of the Indus Civilization or the Harappan Period (Period 3), the most common dress for female figurines was the belt and/or short skirt usually situated at the same point on the hips as the figurine’s hands. The fan-shaped headdress was … >
In addition to different postures, male figurines also exhibit a variety of hairstyles. Both male and female figurines may have hair swept around the top of the head, to the side or to the front. A few male figurines also wear a sort of "torque" cho… >
Another elephant figurine has an undecorated head with two flat ears and a trunk (all broken) on a round hollow body. Approximate dimensions (W x H(L) x D): 4.5 x 7.1 x 7.1 cm. >
Another figurine that may have been used as a toy is the quadruped, probably a bovine, with a movable head and tail. It usually has pierced projections extending from the base of the neck to secure the (separate) head and neck laterally and a pierce… >
A few female figurines from Harappa have a sort of "tiara" attached to the front of the fan-shaped headdress. Approximate dimensions (W x H x D): 6.0 x 8.7 x 3.9 cm. >
Most male figurines from Harappa do not wear headdresses. An unusual exception is a standing male figurine wearing a fan-shaped headdress usually worn by female figurines as well as a choker with pendants. This may be a representation of an alternat… >
Among the dangerous wild animals represented in the figurine corpus are large wild felines. One feline figurine with punctuate designs on the face (possibly representing spots) and an open mouth showing teeth is a relatively naturalistic representat… >
The movable heads of figurines often depict cattle. They are usually pierced laterally through the neck and vertically or sagittally through the head in order to secure them to the bodies and control them with a cord. Approximate dimensions (W x… >
Other female figurines have a double volute headdress that is usually decorated and sometimes painted black as well. Female figurines are usually depicted standing with their legs pressed together all the way to the feet and sometimes have their han… >
