The Indus Civilization c7.27

c7.27

A number of beads of beautiful workmanship were found loose in the ground among one of the hoards of jewellery. These beads are in a variety of materials and, though not unusual in shape, are in polish and regularity quite equal to anything that has been found at any ancient site. Great care had been taken when cutting them to get their natural veinings in as regular a position as possible, a task which calls for considerable skill on the part of the lapidary. To enhance the beauty of some of these variegated stones, especially of those with natural veinings, they were sometimes capped at each end with gold, a custom which also prevailed in Sumer.