1.11.2. A new old civilisation

Archaeological sites are formed through the production, use and discarding of materials and structures. When people continue to live in the same place, their constant use and reuse of the landscape results in the build-up of occupational debris, called a mound.

Archaeological sites develop over time as people use and dispose of various materials while living in one area. Every time people create things, whether it's tools, pottery, or buildings, they leave behind remnants. Over years or centuries, these remnants accumulate to form layers, known as mounds. These mounds contain valuable information about how people lived in different eras.

Think of a garden where every time you plant something new or throw away old plants, you are leaving behind layers of soil and debris. Over time, those layers show which plants you grew at different times, just like archaeological layers tell us about past civilizations.

Subsequently, seals were discovered at Harappa by archaeologists such as Daya Ram Sahni in the early decades of the twentieth century, in layers that were definitely much older than Early Historic levels. It was then that their significance began to be realised.

In the early 1900s, archaeologists, including Daya Ram Sahni, began finding seals at Harappa that were much older than they initially thought. These seals were inscribed with symbols and were indicative of a sophisticated civilization. The discovery shifted perspectives on the Indus Valley Civilization as being a distinct and advanced society.

Imagine finding an old letter written in a language you don't understand in your attic. Initially, you might think it's just outdated. But as you learn more about it and find similar letters, you realize it’s part of an important historical context, shedding light on lives lived long ago.

Based on these finds, in 1924, John Marshall, Director-General of the ASI, announced the discovery of a new civilisation in the Indus valley to the world.

In 1924, John Marshall made a significant announcement regarding the discoveries made in the Indus Valley after years of excavation and research. He declared that they had found an entirely new civilization, which was a big deal as it reshaped the understanding of ancient histories and civilizations.

Think of a scientist announcing a groundbreaking discovery, like finding a new planet in space. This discovery not only changes textbooks but also prompts further research and questions about our understanding of the universe.

Generally, the lowest layers are the oldest and the highest are the most recent. The study of these layers is called stratigraphy. Artefacts found in layers can be assigned to specific cultural periods and can thus provide the cultural sequence for a site.

Stratigraphy is an essential method in archaeology that helps identify the age of various layers in a mound. Each layer represents a different period of occupation, where the bottom-most layer is the oldest, containing artifacts from early inhabitants, while the uppermost layer holds items from more recent times. This systematic study allows archaeologists to understand the progression of human activities over centuries.

It’s similar to reading through a diary where each page represents a day in your life. The earlier pages are filled with youthful experiences, while the most recent pages reflect what you've done recently, giving an overview of your life journey.

Marshall tended to excavate along regular horizontal units, measured uniformly throughout the mound, ignoring the stratigraphy of the site. This meant that all the artefacts recovered from the same unit were grouped together, even if they were found at different stratigraphic layers.

John Marshall's approach to excavating involved digging in a methodical way across the mound rather than focusing on understanding the layers. Unfortunately, this technique sometimes resulted in losing crucial context about how artifacts related to each other historically, as they were not all from the same time. This highlighted the importance of following stratigraphic principles for future excavations.

Consider trying to bake a layered cake but mixing all the ingredients together. Instead of having distinct layers of flavor, you end up with a uniform taste. Similarly, without respecting the layers of an archaeological site, important historical context can be missed.

It was R.E.M. Wheeler, after he took over as Director-General of the ASI in 1944, who rectified this problem. Wheeler recognised that it was necessary to follow the stratigraphy of the mound rather than dig mechanically along uniform horizontal lines.

R.E.M. Wheeler made important changes in how archaeological digs were conducted by emphasizing the importance of stratigraphy. This allowed for a clearer understanding of the timeline of occupations at Indus Valley sites. By correctly following the layers, archaeologists could better interpret the evidence and the activities of different cultures over time.

Imagine putting together a puzzle. If you ignore the edges and just randomly throw pieces together, it will not only take longer, but the end result will be jumbled. Instead, following the shape and colors helps you see the picture clearly—just like following layers helps archaeologists see the history of a site.

Since the 1980s, there has also been growing international interest in Harappan archaeology. Specialists from the subcontinent and abroad have been jointly working at both Harappa and Mohenjodaro.

Since the 1980s, archaeology related to the Harappan civilization has become a focus of international collaboration. Archaeologists from various countries have come together to explore sites like Harappa and Mohenjodaro, utilizing a wide range of modern techniques to uncover more about this ancient civilization, leading to exciting new findings and insights.

It’s like a global team of chefs coming together to create a new dish, each bringing their own cultural flavors and techniques. This collaboration can lead to innovative results that are richer than what any one could achieve alone.

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