Prehistoric India to 1000 B.C. c13.42

c13.42

It seems likely that some of the structural remains found in the earlier excavations on the Citadel Mound in the uppermost strata belong partly to a decadent version of the Harappā occupation, with some mingling of the intrusive cemetery H elements. The typical cemetery H pot from Stratum II, recorded by Vats, would suggest that to this phase should be attributed the badly-built walls, made of re-used brick-bats, which he notes as characteristic of this stratum. Among these structures may be noted a circular bin or granary, still standing 6 feet high and 4 feet in diameter, and areas of brick paving, roughly square, which recall those of the Jhukar Culture in Chanhu-daro II. The similar pavements associated with the charred remains of pine and bamboo in what is alleged to be a Harappā stratum elsewhere on the Citadel Mound are suspiciously suggestive of the huts of barbarian squatters rather than of any structures likely to be within the Citadel walls in the days of its splendour, but the excavation records do not contain enough evidence for us to express a definite opinion. It should be noted in passing that what appears to be a ‘fractional’ burial was found in this same area, and was assigned to the Harappā Culture. If it is not a more or less modern grave, it is much more likely to be subsequent to the Harappā occupation than contemporary with it; the brachycephalic skulls of Alpine type with high-bridged noses in the grave at all events imply an intrusive ethnic element, and may conceivably be connected with invaders in the last phase of the site’s prehistory.