1.11.3. New techniques and questions

Early archaeologists were often driven by a sense of adventure. This is what Wheeler wrote about his experience at Harappa: It was, I recall, on a warm May night in 1944 that a four miles’ tonga-ride brought me as the newly appointed Director General of the Archaeological Survey with my local Muslim officer from a little railway-station labelled "Harappa" along a deep sand track to a small rest-house beside the moonlit mounds of the ancient site.

R.E.M. Wheeler was appointed as the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1944. Unlike earlier archaeologists who were often driven by adventure and curiosity, he understood the importance of following a scientific method while excavating archaeological sites. This change in approach was significant for the field of archaeology.

Think of Wheeler's journey like a modern scientific expedition to Mars. Just as scientists today would use precise instruments and a systematic approach to gather data and learn about the Martian landscape, Wheeler brought a military precision to archaeology. He sought to gather accurate historical data instead of merely collecting artifacts.

Wheeler recognised that it was necessary to follow the stratigraphy of the mound rather than dig mechanically along uniform horizontal lines. Moreover, as an ex-army brigadier, he brought with him a military precision to the practice of archaeology.

Stratigraphy refers to the study of rock layers (strata) and layering (sedimentation). By following the layers of soil and artifacts, archaeologists can better understand the chronological order of human activity at a site. Wheeler emphasized this method to avoid mixing artifacts from different time periods, which can lead to incorrect conclusions about the history of the site.

Imagine trying to bake a cake by mixing all the ingredients at once, rather than layering the batter with frosting. If you mix everything, the flavors (or in archaeology, the time periods) become indistinguishable. Just like in baking, layering helps you to keep distinct flavors separate, allowing for a clearer understanding of the cake's (or site's) history.

The frontiers of the Harappan civilisation have little or no connection with present-day national boundaries. However, with the partition of the subcontinent and the creation of Pakistan, the major known sites became part of Pakistan. This has spurred Indian archaeologists to try and locate sites in India.

The boundaries created during the partition of India in 1947 meant that many significant archaeological sites were located in what is now Pakistan. This prompted Indian archaeologists to scout for sites within India that might yield similar findings related to the Harappan civilization. This has led to significant discoveries in states like Gujarat and Punjab.

This situation is akin to sports teams that split into different leagues due to changes in management. Even though the teams were once part of the same league (the subcontinent), they now search within their new leagues (countries) for players (archaeological sites) that can replicate their past success.

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. They are using modern scientific techniques including surface exploration to recover traces of clay, stone, metal and plant and animal remains as well as to minutely analyse every scrap of available evidence.

The resurgence of interest in Harappan archaeology has led to collaboration among international researchers using advanced technology and scientific techniques. This approach includes methods like remote sensing, ground penetrating radar, and detailed soil analysis to discover and interpret archaeological data more effectively.

Consider this like a high school science fair where students from different schools (countries) team up to use the latest technology (modern techniques) to solve complex human origin questions. By pooling knowledge and skills, they can make discoveries that individual students or schools might miss.

These explorations promise to yield interesting results in the future.

The ongoing explorations and the application of new techniques in archaeology will likely uncover additional information about the Harappan civilization, its social structures, trade relationships, and daily life. With the advances in technology, archaeologists can analyze artifacts and biofacts that were previously overlooked.

This is similar to how advancements in technology, like smartphones, provide opportunities for features that weren’t previously available, such as augmented reality. Just as these new features enhance our understanding of our surroundings, new archaeological methods open doors to understanding ancient societies.

--