1.5.1. Burials

Archaeologists generally use certain strategies to find out whether there were social or economic differences amongst people living within a particular culture. These include studying burials.

Archaeologists can learn a lot about past societies by examining their burial practices. They analyze how bodies were buried, what items were placed with them, and the construction of burial sites. This research helps to uncover social hierarchies or economic disparities, as different burial methods and grave goods can suggest different statuses among individuals.

Think of burials like a time capsule; just as a time capsule can reveal what was important to people at a certain time, archaeological burials can inform us about the culture, beliefs, and social structures of past civilizations.

You are probably familiar with the massive pyramids of Egypt, some of which were contemporaneous with the Harappan civilisation. Many of these pyramids were royal burials, where enormous quantities of wealth was buried.

Unlike the simple burial pits in Harappan culture, the Egyptian pyramids were grand structures built to honor their pharaohs. In Egypt, the amount of wealth buried with the dead, such as gold and elaborate items, often indicated a person's high status. This comparison illustrates a key difference between Egyptian and Harappan burial practices, highlighting how different cultures express beliefs about death and the afterlife.

Consider how different cultures have different wedding ceremonies—some may be grand and elaborate while others are simple. Similarly, the elaborate pyramids of Egypt signal the importance placed on status in society compared to the more practical burials of the Harappans.

At burials in Harappan sites the dead were generally laid in pits. Sometimes, there were differences in the way the burial pit was made – in some instances, the hollowed-out spaces were lined with bricks. Could these variations be an indication of social differences? We are not sure.

While most Harappans were buried in simple pits, the presence of brick-lined graves suggests some individuals may have held higher statuses. Such variations in burial construction could hint at social differences among the community. However, without more conclusive evidence, it's difficult for archaeologists to definitively determine the social significance of these practices.

Think about how in modern society, some families may choose to have more elaborate funerals compared to others. This could reflect their wealth, culture, and social status. Similarly, brick-lined graves in Harappan culture might indicate a person's status or importance within that society.

Some graves contain pottery and ornaments, perhaps indicating a belief that these could be used in the afterlife. Jewellery has been found in burials of both men and women.

The inclusion of items like pottery and ornaments in graves may suggest that the Harappans believed in an afterlife where such objects were necessary, similar to practices seen in other cultures. These grave goods provide insight into the cultural beliefs of the Harappans, indicating that they thought possessions had value beyond death.

Just like how some people today might be buried with their favorite possessions, believing these items will accompany them into the afterlife, the presence of grave goods in Harappan burials reflects a similar belief system.

In some instances the dead were buried with copper mirrors. But on the whole, it appears that the Harappans did not believe in burying precious things with the dead.

The presence of copper mirrors in some burials indicates that while some items were considered valuable, Harappans generally avoided entombing too many precious goods. This suggests a different cultural perspective on the value of items after death, possibly indicating belief systems that differed from cultures that favored lavish burial artifacts.

Imagine a scenario where an expensive car is gifted to someone during their lifetime, but it’s considered inappropriate or unnecessary to bury it with them. This reflects a similar sentiment in Harappan society regarding the treatment of valuable items after death.

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