Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c38.s5.11

v2.c38.s5.11

Archaeological excavations at Kālībaṅgan have yielded bangles of copper, shell and terracotta, beads of shell, copper, agate and carnelian copper mirrors, ivory combs, etc. At Banawālī we find in the Pre-Harappan level beads of gold, semi-precious stones, steatite (including disc beads), faience, shell, bone and clay; bangles of shell, faience and copper. At the Mature-Harappan level, a jewellery dealer’s large house has been excavated. This was found to contain beads of etched carnelian, gold and lapis lazuli. Also found were gold-plated terracotta beads and numerous steatite seals. At Banawālī, beautiful golden ornaments and finely cut smoky brown crystal stones showed the heights of fine gem craftsmanship. Evidently this river-port was an important and prosperous trading centre. During the Post-Harappan period, the cultural pattern changed at Banawālī. The Harappan seal, chert weights, steatite disc beads, etc. disappeared. The Indus economy had collapsed. But the qualitative and quantitative profusion of faience ornaments such as bangles, anklets, rings, beads and *pipal*-leaf-shaped ear-rings continued to meet the local requirements. The faience items had noteworthy and shiny silvery coatings.