Class 12 History theme 1

  4. Tracking social differences Burials Massive pyramids of Egypt These pyramids were Royal burials, where enormous quantities of wealth were buried. At burials in Harappan sites the dead were generally laid in pits. Burial pits of different kinds some graves contain pottery and ornaments. Jewelry has been found in burials of both men and women An ornament consisting of three shell rings, a Jasper bead and hundreds of micro beads was found near the skull of a male in Harappan. Buried with copper mirrors Harappans did not believe in burying precious things with the dead. 4.2. looking for "Luxuries". Another way to identify social differences is to study artefacts. These artefacts are classified as utilitarian and luxurious. Utilitarian: ordinary materials of daily uses such as stone or clay. objects like Querns, pottery, needless, flash rubbers. Utilitarian objects are usually found distributed throughout settlements. Luxurious: they are rare, or made from costly,...

  MohenjoDaro is a planned urban centre. The development of urban centres was the most unique feature of the Harappan civilization. First site is Harappan.  the cities were divided into two or more parts.  The part of the west was smaller but higher called the citadel.  The part of the east was larger but lower; this is called a lower town.  Both the citadel and lower town were walled. 3.1 Laying out drains. Covered drains laid out in straight lines had a gentle slope , drains in houses were connected to those on the streets and smaller drains  led into bigger ones. inspection holes were provided at intervals to clean them. Drains and Streets were laid out first and then houses built. bricks Sun dried baked where of a standardized ratio. 3.2 Domestic architecture Lower town- residential buildings. Courtyard, was probably the centre of activities such as cooking and weaving.  no windows in the walls  its own bathroom, Wells, Mohenjo Daro had about ...

Beginnings -There were several cultures in the region prayer to the mature Harappan These cultures were associated with distinctive pottery, evidences of agriculture and pastoralism and some small settlements 2. Subsistence strategies. - Mature Harappan culture developed in some of the areas occupied by the early Harappan cultures - Subsistence strategies for foods.plants, animals and fish - Their dietary practices - It is studied by botanists ( specialists in ancient plant remains) - Harappan sites wheat, Barley, lentil chickpea and sesame - Gujarat millets - rice- koldihwa ( north of vindhyas) - bones of animals: ships ,goats, buffalo and pig - These were domesticated- a process in which crops are grown and animals are looked after - archaeo-zoologists. - Wild animals like boar, deer and gharial. 2.1. Agriculture technologies: - Representations on seals and Terracotta sculpture indicate that the bull was known and oxen were used for ploughing. - Terracotta models of ploug...