Late Harappa Phase, Conclusion, and References

Harappa is perhaps the only urban center where it has been possible to trace the transition from the Harappan to the Late Harappan (Cemetery H) period. Most of our information on this period comes from early excavations in Cemetery H (Vats 1940) and from disturbed occupation deposits containing fragmentary walls, drains, and pottery (Kenoyer 1991). A transitional phase between the Harappan and the Late Harappan was called Period 4 and the fully developed Late Harappan characterized by the pottery from the upper level burials in Cemetery H was called Period 5.

A small area of Late Harappa Phase occupation from Periods 4 and 5 was excavated on Mound AB in 1996 (Meadow, Kenoyer and Wright 1997). These excavations along with work conducted in 1998 through 2000 on Mound F have provided new insights into the important continuities and changes that took place during the Late Harappan period . Although there may have been a major shift in burial practices during this transition and some dramatic changes in artifact styles and production, other aspects of architecture and many crafts show clear continuities. The distribution of Cemetery H pottery on all of the major mounds at Harappa, and widespread encroachment of settlement onto the streets and into public spaces indicates that the site was not being abandoned. On the contrary, all of the evidence indicates that certain neighborhoods were becoming overcrowded.

Figure 9. Harappa 1999, Mound F, Trench 43: Period 5 kiln, plan and section views

During excavations of the circular platform area on Mound F numerous Cemetery H-type sherds and some complete vessels were recovered in association with pointed base goblets and large storage vessels that are usually associated with Harappa Period 3C. A large kiln was also found just below the surface of the mound to the south of the circular platforms. The upper portion of the kiln had been eroded, but the floor of the firing chamber was found preserved along with the fire-box. Upon excavation it became clear that this was a new form of kiln with a barrel vault and internal flues (Figure 8). This unique installation shows a clear discontinuity with the form of Harappan pottery kilns, which were constructed with a central column to support the floor (Dales and Kenoyer 1991). Radiocarbon samples taken from Harappa Phase hearths in the domestic areas and from the bottom of the Late Harappan kiln will help to determine if these installations were in use at the same time or if the kiln was built in an abandoned area after the Harappa Phase occupation. It is possible that people using Late Harappan style pottery were living together with people using Harappan style pottery during the Period 4 transition between Periods 3C and 5.

Conclusion

In this brief overview we have outlined above some important changes and continuities that characterize the development of Harappa as a city beginning with its origins during the Ravi Phase (Period 1) and its growth and expansion during the Kot Diji Phase (Period 2). Harappa appears to have passed a critical threshold in social, economic, and political development as the site was developing into an urban center during the Kot Diji period (2800 and 2600 BCE). The settlement pattern data, the evidence for the development of writing and other new technologies all suggest that this site played a key role in the eventual integration of the region during the following Harappa Phase. During the Harappa Phase (2600-1900 BCE), Harappa became the dominant settlement of the region and is characterized by numerous episodes of urban growth, decay, and renewal in different parts of the city. These fluctuations reflect complex and dynamic political, ideological, and economic processes that are an integral part of urban society and continued on into the Late Harappa Phase (1900-1300 BCE).

The earlier excavators of Harappa provided a valuable foundation on which to build new interpretations using modern approaches to excavation and recording. The continued analysis of the recently excavated materials will undoubtedly result in further modifications and refinement of these initial results.

Acknowledgements

Support for the 1996-2000 season has been provided by the following American institutions: National Endowment for the Humanities, National Geographic Society, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology of Harvard University, the American School of Prehistoric Research, the University of Wisconsin, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Kress Foundation. Donations from private individuals have also been extremely helpful.

Figures

Figure 1. Harappa Excavation Areas: 2000

Figure 2. Ravi Phase Pottery

Figure 3. Early Indus Script: Ravi and Kot Diji Periods.

Figure 4. Harappan Seal Styles

1. H90-1600/3166-01: Steatite seal, Period 3A.
2. H95-2491/4690-01: Steatite seal, Period 3B.
3. H99-4064/8796-01: Steatite seal, Period 3C.
4. H95-2482/4419-05: Incised steatite tablet, Period 3B/3C.
5. H95-2485/5719-02: Molded terracotta tablet, Period 3B/3C.
6. H94-2177/4999-01: Molded faience tablet, Period 3B/3C.
7. H94-2184/4999-216: Molded faience tablet, 3B/3C.
8. H98-3491/8322-21: Steatite seal, Mound AB, Period 3C.
9. H99-3814/8756-01: Button seal, molded faience, Period 3C.

Figure 5. Harappa 1997, Mound AB, Trench 42, WheelerÕs Fortification Wall.

Figure 6. Harappa 1999, Mound F, Trench 41, southeast corner of the "Great Granary" or "Great Hall".

Figure 7. Harappa 1999, Mound F, Trench 41: southeast corner of the "Great Granary" or "Great Hall."

Figure 8. Harappa 1998, Mound F, Trench 43: A) plan view of circular platforms; B) section of sediments above platform [22] and section through central pit.

Figure 9. Harappa 1999, Mound F, Trench 43: Period 5 kiln, plan and section views.

References

Dales, G. F. and J. M. Kenoyer 1991 Summaries of Five Seasons of Research at Harappa (District Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan) 1986-1990. In Harappa Excavations 1986-1990, edited by R. H. Meadow, pp. 185-262. Madison, Prehistory Press.

Kenoyer, J. M. 1991 Urban Process in the Indus Tradition: A Preliminary Model from Harappa. In Harappa Excavations 1986-1990, edited by R. H. Meadow, pp. 29-60. Madison, Prehistory Press.

Kenoyer, J. M. 1993 Excavations on Mound E, Harappa: A systematic approach to the study of Indus urbanism. In South Asian Archaeology, 1991, edited by A. J. Gail and G. J. R. Mevissen, pp. 165-194. Stuttgart, F. S. Verlag.

Kenoyer, J. M. 1995 Interaction Systems, Specialized Crafts and Culture Change: The Indus Valley Tradition and the Indo-Gangetic Tradition in South Asia. In The Indo-Aryans of Ancient South Asia: Language, Material Culture and Ethnicity, edited by G. Erdosy, pp. 213-257. Berlin, W. DeGruyter.

Kenoyer, J. M. 1997 Trade and technology of the Indus Valley: new insights from Harappa, Pakistan. World Archaeology 29(2): 262-280.

Kenoyer, J. M. 2000 Wealth and Socio-Economic Hierarchies of the Indus Valley Civilization. In Order, Legitimacy and Wealth in Early States, edited by J. Richards and M. Van Buren, pp. 90-112. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

Kenoyer, J. M. and R. H. Meadow 1999 Harappa: New Discoveries on its origins and growth. Lahore Museum Bulletin XII(1): 1-12.

Meadow, R. H. and J. M. Kenoyer 2001 Harappa Excavations 1998-1999: New evidence for the development and manifestation of the Harappan phenomenon. In South Asian Archaeology 1999, edited by K. R. van Kooij and E. M. Raven, pp. in press. Leiden.

Meadow, R. H., J. M. Kenoyer and R. P. Wright 1997 Harappa Archaeological Research Project: Harappa Excavations 1997, Report submitted to the Director General of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Pakistan, Karachi.

Meadow, R. H., J. M. Kenoyer and R. P. Wright 1998 Harappa Archaeological Research Project: Harappa Excavations 1998, Report submitted to the Director General of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Pakistan, Karachi.

Meadow, R. H., J. M. Kenoyer and R. P. Wright 1999 Harappa Archaeological Research Project: Harappa Excavations 1999, Report submitted to the Director General of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Pakistan, Karachi.

Meadow, R. H., J. M. Kenoyer and R. P. Wright 2000 Harappa Archaeological Research Project: Harappa Excavations 2000, Report submitted to the Director General of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Pakistan, Karachi.

Mughal, M. R. 1990 Further Evidence of the Early Harappan Culture in the Greater Indus Valley: 1971-90. South Asian Studies 6: 175-200.

Mughal, M. R., F. Iqbal, M. A. K. Khan and M. Hassan 1996 Archaeological Sites and Monuments in Punjab: Preliminary report of Explorations: 1992-1996. Pakistan Archaeology 29: 1-474.

Vats, M. S. 1940 Excavations at Harappa. Delhi, Government of India Press

Wheeler, R. E. M. 1947 Harappa 1946: The Defenses and Cemetery R-37. Ancient India no. 3: 58-130.

{Reprinted by permission from: Meadow, R.H. and J.M. Kenoyer (2001) Recent discoveries and highlights from excavations at Harappa: 1998-2000. INDO-KOKO-KENKYU [Indian Archaeological Studies] 22: 19-36.}