By: NEELAM SHARMA, RAJPAL
Excavations in the eastern domain of the Harappan civilization in Haryana have provided valuable insights into the technological intelligence and achievements of the Indus Valley civilization. Metal and metallurgy were highly significant among the various technological advancements. The Indus Valley civilization, often referred to as a Bronze Age civilization, extensively utilized copper and bronze in their manufacturing processes. These metals were used to produce a wide array of tools such as axes, knives, adzes, fish hooks, chisels, as well as pots and various forms of jewelry like bangles, beads, and copper strips. The Harappan culture is categorized into several well-defined cultural sub-phases: the Pre-Harappan, Early Harappan, Mature Harappan, and Late Harappan periods, marking a gradual transition from a regional and rural society to an urbanized Harappan civilization. Archaeological evidence shows that copper and bronze were used in the production of tools, weapons, ornaments, household items, and objects associated with economic control and religious practices. Data analysis indicates that the Indus sites utilized a diverse range of alloys, suggesting a more extensive scope of alloys used by the Indus Valley civilization than previously believed. Ongoing excavations in Haryana, along with scholarly contributions, continue to reveal the technological prowess and metallurgical achievements of the Indus Valley civilization. This paper presents an enigmatic copper artifact, offering a new perspective and context for its use, based on recent discoveries in Haryana.
