The Indus Civilization c7.4

c7.4

The exact material which composed the fan-shaped head-dresses so often worn by the female figurines, and sometimes even by the male, is not known, though it may have been a stiffened cotton cloth supported by a framework. Neither is it possible to say what material formed the curious pannier-like erections present in many instances on each side of the head; but the fact that these were sometimes supported from the top of the head seems to show that they must have been heavy (Pl. I, 1). The cumbersome nature of this head-gear may seem surprising; but even to-day the women of certain Mongolian tribes wear a head-dress not at all unlike that of the figurines, while equally complex ones are worn by women of other countries.