Prehistoric India to 1000 B.C. c12.140

c12.140

Archaeologically the circumstances of finding are not wholly satisfactory, as the stratigraphical record does not furnish us with precise evidence. But we may turn for comparative evidence to other sites. Mohenjo-daro has produced several pieces of stone sculpture in convincing archaeological contexts, and of these the bearded man wearing an embroidered garment is justly famous. Here is an art tradition more hieratic, more formal than the naturalism of the Harappā torso, but we may note again the use of inlay and metal - the trefoils on the robe and the disc on the bared right arm; probably the eyes and perhaps the ears may also have held inlays, while the sockets for a metal (probably gold) collar can be seen at the base of the hair on each side behind the ears. And in at least one other minor piece of sculpture in steatite from the same site, a charming little bull, sockets for metal ears, horns and eyes are again provided.