Tracking social differences

 

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, non- local materials or with complicated technologies.

  • Little pots of faience.

  • Spindle whorls made of faience.

  • Rare objects are generally found in Mohenjo Daro and Harappa.

  • eg:- miniature pots of faience, used as perfume bottles and gold jewelry found at Harappan sites were recovered from hoards.



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