The Indus Civilization c11.16

c11.16

The finding of the single Mongoloid skull is distinctly interesting when considered in relation to the discovery of several terra-cotta figurines, some with horns, which are definitely Mongolian in appearance and facially quite unlike the ordinary specimens. These were unearthed at a very low level of the city and suggest that there may have been a Mongolian strain among the people, possibly introduced by immigrants from the north-west—perhaps from the Iranian Highlands, where a number of Mongoloid skulls of very early date have come to light during the excavations at Tepe Hissar in Damghan. On the other hand, too much emphasis must not be laid on the discovery of the one skull, or even the figurines, as the latter were all found in one part of the city, which may have been merely the quarters of a small Mongolian community. It is quite feasible, however, that a considerable amount of trade was carried on with certain peoples of Central Asia as well as with the countries nearer at hand.