The Indus Civilization c9.27

c9.27

It has been suggested that some of the smaller pottery jars may have served as drinking-vessels and have been broken after use, according to the custom of some castes in modern India. There is, however, no evidence that the caste system existed in that country at the time of the Indus Valley civilization, and, moreover, only one type of jar has been found broken in large numbers. Jars of this kind average about six inches in height, have a pronounced, pointed base and deeply scored belly, and are certainly too large to be grasped comfortably in one hand. Though there is no direct evidence that the water-wheel was known to the people of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, the shape and make of these jars certainly suggest that they were used on water-wheels; and this would, of course, explain why such a number were made and broken. Large heaps of this type of pottery, all badly fired as well as damaged, have been found close to the site of some of the kilns, and are undoubtedly throw-outs.