The Indus Civilization c9.39

c9.39

The seal-amulets are, however, the most successful artistic achievement of the inhabitants of the Indus valley, and the numbers of them which have come to light make it fairly certain that they were carried by practically the entire population of both cities. These amulets (Pl. M), which are invariably made of steatite, range in size from half an inch to just over two and a half inches square, although the most common sizes run from 0·7 to 1·2 inches. There are two main types, the first square, with a carved animal and inscription, the second rectangular, with an inscription only; and while the former have a small perforated boss at the back to take a cord, the latter are convex on the reverse side, with the hole running through the seal itself at right angles to its length.