An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c17.s10.1

v1.c17.s10.1

The antiquity of the worship and magical use of sex symols can be traced to the period of pre-Harappa [4.8] and Harappa cultures [4.9], if cultic significance can be attributed to conical objects and ring stones of these cultures. Phallic representations have been reported from Moghul Ghunḍai and Periano Ghundai (n. Baluchistan). A large number of phalli and ring stones in varying sizes have been found at Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. Some of the miniature phalli could have been amulets for apotropaic or magico-protective use as suggested by Marshall [1931, p. 61]. Fairservis [1971, p. 292], refers to the find of a *linga* in a storage jar of Harappa and relates it to cults of rejuvenation and fertility. There are some large realistically modelled phallic stones with smoothened top portion which, according to Marshall, (*ibid.*,) seem to have been used for worship Along with this material for probable phallic worship there is also that of ithyphallicism on a Mohenjo-daro seal of the horned deity (Marshall, *ibid.*, pp. 13, 17), though what looks like an ithyphallic feature may actually be part of the waist-band as believed by some scholars. *Linga*-like clay objects have also been reported from the Harappa levels of SURKOTADA and from later Chalcolithic [4.14] site like MAHISDAL. However the small conical objects found at LOTHAL have been interpreted as gamesmen (Rao, 1973, p. 113).