[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.c9.s9.28 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s9.28 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s9.28 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c9.s9.28](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s9.28) Terracottas \[17\], associated more with the common folk than with the elite, provide another index to the level of artistry of a people. While the Harappa specimens do show a fairly rich variety, this is doubtless not as rich as, for example, that of contemporary Egypt. Most of the Harappa terracottas are hand-modelled, the eyes, ornaments, etc., being in appliqué by means of clay pallets, strips and the like. The mouth is often slit and the nose pinched up. A very common terracotta human figurine is that of the female, heavily ornamented and putting on a pannier head-dress. It has often been thought to represent the mother goddess \[12.6\] but may or may not have been so. However amongst other terracotta human figurines particular mention may be made of a tiny little head, hardly 3 cm in height, from KALIBANGAN which depicts the facial features so vividly that it at once reminds one of the famous steatite figure of the so-called priest from Mohenjo-daro. Special interest also attaches to another class of human figurines which are shown in various yogic poses (\*āsanas\*). These are evidently the earliest examples of the kind known from anywhere in the world. - [Previous: v1.c9.s9.27](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s9.27) - [Next: v1.c9.s9.29](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s9.29) - [Up: v1.c9.s9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s9) ## Linked texts (3) - [Harappā](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.harappa) - [Mohenjo-daro](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.mohenjo-daro) - [Kālībangan](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.kalibangan) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s9.28](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c9.s9.28) · Pramāṇa