The Indus Civilization c5.16

c5.16

Mud-mortar, with no additional binding material, was almost universally used, and the height of some of the walls still standing proves that it served its purpose well. In special cases, such as the laying of drains, both lime- and gypsum-mortar were used, either separately or mixed with mud in varying proportions. The presence of gypsum in the interior of some of the walls is not always a proof that this mineral was extensively mixed with the mud-mortar; it is plentiful in the soil of Mohenjo-daro, and creeps into the joints of the brickwork, where it crystallizes in the form of selenite.