[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.c23.s4 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c23.s4: 18.4 Flesh-rubbers An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c23.s4 - **Language:** English ### 18.4 Flesh-rubbers ### [v1.c23.s4.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c23.s4.1) The antiquity of terracotta flesh- or, more appropriately, skin-rubbers dates back to the Harappa culture \[4.9\]. They have been found in the Chalcolithic \[4.14\] levels at NEVASA and AHAR², as also at several other excavated sites throughout India except the far s. They occur in the historical levels, e.g. at KUMRAHAR, HASTINĀPURA, AHICCHATRĀ, BHOKARDAN, BESNAGAR, RAJBADIDANGA, MASAON and CHIRAND. ### [v1.c23.s4.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c23.s4.2) These rubbers have various shapes and patterns—mostly rectangular, square or circular and rarely planoconvex, oval, barrel-shaped or trapezoid. To enhance their utility for scrubbing the skin they are either pecked or incised with oblique lines, rectangular or semicircular notches, triangular V-shaped notches, checks, zigzags chevrons. While the barrel-shaped rubbers are wheel-turned others are handmade. For terracotta rubbers the clay is mixed with lime and a sufficient quantity of sand to obtain a rough surface. Often quartz pieces are added to roughen the exterior. ### [v1.c23.s4.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c23.s4.3) The AHAR² examples are rectangular, circular or even shaped like a double-axe while those from NEVASA have a punctured surface. The one from the Kushan levels at CHIRAND shows a criss-cross pattern encircling a row of triangles with a flower in the centre. The PRABHAS PATAN example is inscribed with characters of the 2nd century B.C. Such objects of toilet are still in common use. ## Linked texts (9) - [Ahicchatra](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.ahichchhatra) - [Hastināpura](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.hastinapura) - [Nevasa](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.nevasa) - [Chirand](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.chirand) - [Kumrahar](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.kumrahar) - [Prabhas Patan](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.prabhas-patan) - [Rajbadi-danga (Jadupur)](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.rajbadi-danga-jadupur) - [Masaon](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.masaon) - [Bhokardan](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.bhokardan) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c23.s4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c23.s4) · Pramāṇa