1.11. Discovering the Harappan Civilisation

So far, we have examined facets of the Harappan civilisation in the context of how archaeologists have used evidence from material remains to piece together parts of a fascinating history. However, there is another story as well – about how archaeologists “discovered” the civilisation.

This chunk introduces the concept that understanding the Harappan civilization is not only about the artifacts and material remains found. It also involves the history of archaeological discoveries and the process through which these ancient sites were recognized. This points to the idea that historical understanding is built on both evidence found in the ground and the narratives developed around that evidence.

Consider a jigsaw puzzle; the pieces represent the artifacts found, and the completed image represents our understanding of the past. Just as some pieces may be overlooked or not fit perfectly until more pieces are added, the history of the Harappan civilization was pieced together through discoveries over time.

When Harappan cities fell into ruin, people gradually forgot all about them. When men and women began living in the area millennia later, they did not know what to make of the strange artefacts that occasionally surfaced, washed by floods or exposed by soil erosion, or turned up while ploughing a field, or digging for treasure.

This chunk discusses how artifacts from the Harappan civilization became buried and forgotten over time, leading to confusion among later inhabitants who stumbled upon them. The artifacts, such as pottery and tools, were misinterpreted as they did not fit into the understanding of the past that was commonly held.

Imagine someone finding an old phone buried in their backyard. They don't recognize it and might think it's just an odd piece of plastic, not realizing it's a device of a much older time. Similarly, the Harappan artifacts were seen as curiosities rather than historical treasures.

When Cunningham, the first Director-General of the ASI, began archaeological excavations in the mid-nineteenth century, archaeologists preferred to use the written word (texts and inscriptions) as a guide to investigations.

This chunk describes Alexander Cunningham and his approach to archaeology. His reliance on historical texts meant that he missed many important discoveries about the Harappan culture, as he was looking for evidence that aligned with the writings he was familiar with, ignoring earlier civilizations like Harappa.

It's similar to someone trying to understand a movie by only reading the synopsis instead of watching it; they might miss out on crucial themes and character developments that are revealed through the actual experience.

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.

This chunk discusses how later excavations revealed the importance of Harappa as an ancient civilization. It highlights that as excavations continued, archaeologists began to understand that these sites were not just old but represented a significant early civilization, contemporaneous with Mesopotamia.

Think of finding a hidden historical document in an attic; at first, it seems old and irrelevant. But upon further investigation, it’s found to be a significant record from a pivotal moment in history, changing the entire perspective of that time.

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.

This chunk focuses on R.E.M. Wheeler's contributions to improving archaeological methodology. Wheeler's approach emphasized the importance of the stratigraphy of sites, which meant understanding layers of accumulation over time, crucial for accurately dating and contextualizing artifacts.

Imagine baking a layered cake; if you just cut across the middle without understanding the layers, you’d lose the structure and true nature of the cake. In archaeology, understanding the layers helps preserve the integrity of historical narratives.

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.

This chunk discusses the increasing globalization of research into the Harappan civilization. Collaborative efforts among international archaeologists have led to a surge in the study of Harappan sites, leveraging modern techniques to uncover more about the civilization's practices and culture.

Much like how a team of scientists from various fields collaborates to tackle climate change, archaeologists are coming together to share knowledge, tools, and resources to paint a fuller picture of the Harappan civilization.

--