[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989) › v1.c17.s10.1 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c17.s10.1 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c17.s10.1 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c17.s10.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.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). - [Previous: v1.c17.s9.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s9.6) - [Next: v1.c17.s10.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s10.2) - [Up: v1.c17.s10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s10) ## Linked texts (7) - [Harappā](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.harappa) - [Mohenjo-daro](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.mohenjo-daro) - [Lothal](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.lothal) - [Surkotada](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.surkotada) - [Mahisdal](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.mahisdal) - [Pēriāno-ghuṇḍai](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.periano-ghundai) - [Moghul-ghuṇḍai](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.moghul-ghundai) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s10.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s10.1) · Pramāṇa