An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c19.s15.9

v1.c19.s15.9

Most, if not all, Harappa wells are circular except one or two oval examples (Marshall, 1931, p. 150; Mackay, 1938, p. 166). Mould-made wedge-shaped brick of different sizes is used in the construction of these wells (Marshall, 1931, p. 270; Mackay, 1943, p. 17; *IAR 1966-7*, p. 32); some of them are constructed of ordinary-shaped brick used conjointly with wedge-shaped one (Marshall, 1931, p. 270). Alladino has a series of three stone wells aligned with one another (Shaffer, 1979, p. 25). At Harappa however except in the inner ring of one well wedge-shaped brick is not used (Vats, 1940, p. 14). In some cases, as at Mohenjo-daro (Marshall, 1931, p. 270), the wider ends of the brick in the steening of some wells are carefully curved so as to present a smooth surface on the outside of the well, while in one case the narrower end of the brick is curved. In a few examples the coping of the well is slightly projecting above the floor (Marshall, 1931, p. 270; Mackay, 1938, p. 165) and a brick edging around it provided to prevent waste water from re-entering the wells. In one of the wells at Mohenjo-daro the coping is raised to a height of 40 cm above the floor (Mackay, 1938, p. 154).