Understanding the functionalities of the perforated vessels in the Harappan culture with particular reference to the excavated settlements of Karanpura, Rajasthan, and Ropar, Punjab
Academic Article
Overview
Overview
Abstract
This research probes into the utility of perforated jars of the Harappan culture with particular reference to the excavated settlements of Karanpura (Rajasthan) and Ropar or Rupnagar (Punjab), both in India. The perforated jars are an important Harappan ceramic type from most of the Harappan settlements, both in habitational and as well as burial contexts. Interestingly, the burial contexts indicate its use in association with a wide-mouthed pot and never found in isolation. Such association is found in the burials at Harappa and Kalibangan.
The previous studies on the perforated jars of Harappan culture mainly focused on typological, morphological, and ethnographic analogies. Until recently, only a few pilot studies employed lipid residue analysis techniques to peek into the kind of product (s) processed inside them. This poster explores the relationship between the form and functions of the perforated jars by evaluating the absorbed lipids adhered to the matrices (rim, body, and base). This research enquires about the reason for the perforations and explores their possible use as strainers.
From the methodological purview, this research nestles around the amount of lipids available inside the sampled sherds and possible contaminants affecting lipid preservation. From the theoretical stance, this research is based on the conjectures of ‘Practicality’ and ‘Prestige’; the former encompasses the original function of the above unique form of ceramic, and the latter envisages the cultural use of the above ceramics and its position in the social hierarchy of the Harappan culture. This research opens unprecedented possibilities for studying unique forms of vessels using scientific tools moving away from the research encircled by conventional forms found in the excavated settlements.
