Question

Should the stone artefacts illustrated in the “Bricks, Beads And Bones: The Harappan Civilisation” be considered as utilitarian objects or as luxuries? Are there any that may fall into both categories?

Answer 1

Archaeologists classify Harappan stone artefacts into two distinct groups to understand social structures. While utilitarian items were mass-produced for daily chores, luxury items were rare, expensive goods indicating high social status.

I. Categories of Stone Artefacts

1. Utilitarian Objects
   • Mass-produced from common local stones.
   • Found widely in ordinary residential households.
   • Examples: Saddle querns (grinding stones), chert blades used for harvesting, simple stone weights for trade.
2. Luxury Objects
   • Handcrafted from rare or non-local minerals.
   • Found mostly in elite Citadel sectors.
   • Requires complex technology to manufacture smoothly.
   • Examples: Miniature pots made of faience, highly polished steatite beads, stone vessels made of jasper.

II. Artefacts Falling Into Both Categories

1. Stone Beads
   • Common terracotta or basic stone beads were utilitarian.
   • Rare carnelian or lapis lazuli beads were luxury.
2. Weights and Measures
   • Standard cube weights were simple utilitarian tools.
   • Highly polished, perfectly carved specimens belonged to elites.