[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.s10.5 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c17.s10.5 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c17.s10.5 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c17.s10.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s10.5) It is not yet conclusively shown whether the ring stones of the Indus civilization (Marshall, 1931, p. 61) were used for magico-religious or utilitarian purposes. Sankalia 1974, pp. 241, etc, while referring to the ring stones of NEVASA, NAVDATOLI, LANGHNAJ and other sites, suggests their use as mace-heads or weights for digging sticks. However no utilitarian purpose can be ascribed to smaller holed objects made of faience, shell and carnelian found at Mohenjo-daro and Harappa which according to Marshall, \*ibid.\*, seem to have fetishistic or cultic significance. In this connection it is significant to note the cultic association of the ring stones of 3rd-2nd century B.C. found at sites between Taxila, PĀTALIPUTRA, etc., which have figures of a mother goddess carved on them \[12.3.9; 12.6\]. - [Previous: v1.c17.s10.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s10.4) - [Next: v1.c17.s10.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s10.6) - [Up: v1.c17.s10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s10) ## Linked texts (4) - [Pāṭaliputra](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.pataliputra) - [Nevasa](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.nevasa) - [Navdatoli](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.navdatoli) - [Langhnaj](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.langhnaj) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s10.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s10.5) · Pramāṇa