An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c16.s4.5

v1.c16.s4.5

The pottery of the late Harappa proper is of medium fabric, slightly inferior in levigation to that of the classical Harappa. It is predominantly wheel-thrown and a tendency towards thicker and sturdier vessels can be clearly discerned. It is treated with light or dull red slip, the bright red slip of the classical Harappa being absent. The following are the diagnostic types, all derived from the Harappa shapes: (1) the storage jar with wide mouth and thick projected rim; (2) the storage jar with narrow mouth, thick projected rim and tapering shoulder; (3) the storage jar with narrow mouth, beaded or collared rim and globular body; (4) the vase with beaded or beaked rim, high concave neck, globular body and disc base; (5) squat base with splayed-out rim, ribbed shoulder and rusticated bottom; (6) the tall vase with flaring rim and pedestalled foot; (7) the dish-on-stand with projecting rim, carinated shoulder and tall stand flanged at the top; (8) the dish-on-stand with drooping rim and broad squat stand; and (9) the dish-on-stand with deep dish, projected undercut rim and squat stand. Certain classical Harappa shapes such as the beaker, goblet, perforated jar, S-shaped tall vase and pyriform jar fell out of use.