Architecture and urban infrastructure
editWater supply and wells
editThe location of Mohenjo-daro was built in a relatively short period of time, with the water supply system and wells being some of the first planned constructions. [1] With the excavations done so far, over 700 wells are present at Mohenjo-daro, alongside drainage and bathing systems.[2] This number is unheard of when compared to other civilizations at the time, such as Egypt or Mesopostamia, and the quantity of wells transcribes as one well for every three houses.[3] Because of the large number of wells, it is believed that the inhabitants relied solely on annual rainfall, as well as the Indus River's course remaining close to the site.[4] Due to the period in which these wells were built and used, it is likely that the circular brick well design used at this and many other Harappan sites are an invention of which to credit the Indus civilization, as there is no existing evidence of this design existing in Mesopotamia or Egypt at this time, and even later.[5] Sewage and waste water for buildings at the site were disposed of via a centralized drainage system that ran alongside the site's streets.[6] These drains that ran alongside the road were effective at allowing most human waste and sewage to be disposed of as the drains tool the waste most likely toward the Indus River.[7] It is theorized that the job of keeping the pipes clean and from getting piled up was either a job for slaves, or captured enemy soldiers, with others who believe it was a paid job for citizens of the city.[8]
Flooding and rebuilding
editNotable artefacts
editMany bronze and copper pieces, such as figurines and bowls, have been recovered from the site, showing that the inhabitants of Mohenjo-daro understood how to utilize the lost wax technique.[26] The furnaces found at the site are believed to have been used for copperworks and melting the metals as opposed to smelting, there even seems to be an entire section of the city dedicated to shellworking, located in the northeastern part of the site.[27] Pottery and terracotta shards have been recovered from the site, withmany of the pots having deposits of ash in them, leading archeologists to believe they were either used to hold the ashes of a person or as a way to warm up a home located in the site.[9] These heaters, or braziers, were ways to heat the house while also being able to be utilized in a manner of cooking or straining, while others solely believe they were used for heating.[10]
Mother Goddess Idol
editDiscovered by John Marshall in 1931, the idol appears to mimic certain characteristics that match the Mother Goddess belief common in many early Near East civilizations.[11] Sculptures and figurines depicting women have been observed as part of Harappan culture and religion, as multiple female pieces were recovered from Marshall's archaeological digs.[11] These figures were not categorized correctly, according to Marshall, meaning that where they were recovered from the site is not actually clear, one of said figures, pictured below, is 18.7 cm tall and is currently on display at the National Museum of Pakistan, in Karachi.[11] The fertility and motherhood aspects on display on the idols is represented by the female genitalia that is presented in an almost exaggerated style as stated by Marshall, with him inferring that they are rather offerings to the goddess, as opposed to the typical understanding of them being idols representing the goddess's likeness.[11] Because of the figurines being unique in terms of hairstyles, body proportions, as well as headdresses and jewelry, there are theories as to who these figurines actually represent.[11] Shereen Ratnagar theorizes that because of their uniqueness and dispersed discovery throughout the site that they could be figurines of ordinary household women, who commissioned these pieces to be used in rituals or healing ceremonies to help aforementioned individual women. [11]
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- ^ Wright, Rita P. (2010). The ancient Indus : urbanism, economy, and society. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 235. ISBN 978-0-521-57652-9.
- ^ Wright, Rita P. (2010). The ancient Indus : urbanism, economy, and society. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 237. ISBN 978-0-521-57652-9.
- ^ Jansen, M. (October 1989). "Water Supply and Sewage Disposal at Mohenjo-Daro". World Archaeology. 21 (2): 180. doi:10.1080/00438243.1989.9980100. JSTOR 124907. PMID 16470995.
- ^ Jansen, M. (October 1989). "Water Supply and Sewage Disposal at Mohenjo-Daro". World Archaeology. 21 (2): 182. doi:10.1080/00438243.1989.9980100. JSTOR 124907. PMID 16470995.
- ^ Jansen, M. (October 1989). "Water Supply and Sewage Disposal at Mohenjo-Daro". World Archaeology. 21 (2): 179. doi:10.1080/00438243.1989.9980100. JSTOR 124907. PMID 16470995.
- ^ Jansen, M. (October 1989). "Water Supply and Sewage Disposal at Mohenjo-Daro". World Archaeology. 21 (2): 177–192. doi:10.1080/00438243.1989.9980100. JSTOR 124907. PMID 16470995.
- ^ Ratnagar, Shereen (2014). "The drainage systems at MohenjoDaro and Nausharo: A technological breakthrough or a stinking disaster?". Studies in People's History. 1 (1): 4. doi:10.1177/2348448914537334. S2CID 131145647.
- ^ Ratnagar, Shereen (2014). "The drainage systems at MohenjoDaro and Nausharo: A technological breakthrough or a stinking disaster?". Studies in People's History. 1 (1): 5. doi:10.1177/2348448914537334. S2CID 131145647.
- ^ Aiyappan, Ayinapalli (May 1939). "Pottery Braziers of Mohenjo-Daro". Man. 39 (65): 71–72. doi:10.2307/2792750. JSTOR 2792750.
- ^ Aiyappan, Ayinapalli (May 1939). "Pottery Braziers of Mohenjo-Daro". Man. 39 (65): 71–72. doi:10.2307/2792750. JSTOR 2792750.
- ^ a b c d e f Ratnagar, Shereen (November 24, 2016). "A critical view of Marshall's Mother Goddess at Mohenjo-Daro". Studies in People's History. 3 (2): 113–127. doi:10.1177/2348448916665714. S2CID 191808666. Retrieved 2019-04-29.