Animal Figurines

Other animal and sometimes anthropomorphic figurines are decorated with black stripes and other patterns, and features such as eyes are also sometimes rendered in pigment. Figurines of cattle with and without humps are found at Indus sites, possibly… >

Some animal figurines with long ears, especially those with the ears laid back against round hollow bodies, have been identified as hares. One animal figurine with long ears laid back above a small solid body may also represent a hare. Figurines wit… >

See Terracotta animals for a general description of the terracotta animal figurines from Harappa. Find number of the one second from right is Ab 81. >

Water buffalo are often similar to figurines of humpless cattle, except that the water buffalo figurines usually have large (and sometimes incised) backswept horns. Approximate dimensions (W x H(L) x D): 6.0 x 8.0 x 6.0 cm. >

Several turtle figurines have been found at Harappa, some with few defined features and others with clearly delineated shells and other features. The gharial is also represented among the figurines, and is depicted in the iconography of several tabl… >

Daya Ram Sahni described these four objects as a "a terracotta dog (A 166), a ram (A 233) ; and two bulls (A 310 and C 14)" the latter of which he considered "nicely made" (p. 13, 26). The ram was found in the large earthen chati (A 233). He conside… >

Ram figurines are identified by their large curled horns. Some have incised horns and/or muzzles like the water buffalo figurines and are only distinguished by the curvature of the horns. Approximate height (length): 6.0 cm. >

Some texts from ancient Mesopotamia mention imports received from the land of "Meluhha", widely considered a reference to the Indus Civilization. Among these imports, according to some interpretations, is a colored dog. A number of dog figurines hav… >

Dr. Kenoyer writes (Ancient Cities, p. 164) referring to this ram figurine that domestic goats were "kept in cities, where they were used for meat and diary products, as well as for wool or goat's hair," and (p. 227): "Hollow, seated ram figurine… >

A collection of terra cotta figurines of humans and animals from recent excavations at Harappa. Harappa Archaeological Research Project. >