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CHAPTER-V

_____________________________________________________________

Faunal Studies in Harappan Culture:

Region-wise Distribution

The Harappan civilization was spread over an area of 1.5 million sq. kms

and Sutkagendor (Makran) in the west; Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh) in the east;

Manda in the north (J&K); and Daimabad (Maharashtra) in south represented

the outer limits this culture (Map 5.1). The culture was confined to the Indus

Valley, Ghaggar Basin, Gujarat region and part of Western Uttar Pradesh and

Northern Maharashtra. A large number of Harappan sites have been excavated

in the above mentioned regions (Table 5.1).

On the basis of physical features, the territorial extent of the Harappan

civilization can be divided into five major regions: the first, Baluchistan region

(The Western region): this region stretches from Baluchistan on Makran coast to

the borders of Afghanistan and Iran. It is mainly a hilly area with Khyber and

Bolan passes providing access to Afghanistan; the second, Indus Valley region

(Central region): It encompasses the flood plains of Indus, Ravi and Satluj

rivers extending from Balakot to Harappa; the third, Ghaggar basin region

(Eastern region): Ghaggar river and its tributries in Punjab, Haryana and

Rajasthan; the fourth, Upper Ganga-Yamuna Doab: the western part of the Uttar

Pradesh; the fifth, Gujarat region (Southern region): Kuchchh, Saurashtra, north

and central Gujarat (Anarta) and south Gujarat also. This region also includes

the sites which fall in Maharashtra1.

1Possehl, G. L., (1999), Indus Age the Beginnings, pp.269-389.

146

The Harappan civilization covered the whole of Pakistan, except the

northern most mountainous area. On the Indian side, it encompassed virtually

the whole of Gujarat, parts of western Maharashtra and the western fringe of

southern and central Rajasthan. In north, it included the whole of the Punjab,

Haryana and parts of western Uttar Pradesh in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab region.

Map 5.1 Map showing the approximate placements of borders of the Harappan culture

(courtesy Dr. A. Uesugi).

147

Table 5.1 Distribution of Harappan sites - region wise.

Baluchistan

Region

Indus

Valley

Region

Ghaggar Basin

Region

Ganga-Yamuna

Doab Region

Gujrat

Region

Mehrgarh Harappa Bhagwanpura Hulas Rangpur

Kile Gul

Mohammad Mohenjodaro Balu Alamgipur Lothal

Surab Chanhudaro Banawali Sanauli Surkotada

Sur Jangal Jalilpur Mitathal Mandi Kuntasi

Rana

Gundai Kot Diji Kunal Mandoli

Nageshwar

Periano

Gundai Amri Rakhigarhi Bhorgarh Rojdi

Darkot

Rehman

Dheri Bhirrana Khanpur

Damb

Sadaat Gumla Siswal Padri

Nal Bara Farmana Shikarpur

Kulli Sanghol Kalibangan

Oriyo

Timbo

Mehi Ropar Baror Kanmer

Nai Buthi Tarkhanwala Dera Dholavira

Sohr Damb Burj Malvan

Bampur Babarkot

Anjira Desalpur

Balakot Daimabad

Baluchistan Region:

The southwestern extent of the Harappan civilization was located in the

mountains of Baluchistan. Geographically, the region is part of a vast plateau

stretching from the western edge of the Indus valley to the eastern edge of the

Tigris; a line approximating the modern boundary between Iraq and Iran. In the

north of region most of the precipitation comes in the cold month as the westerly

winds bring moisture along with snow to the Middle East and Iran.

148

Map 5.2 Map showing the Harappan sites in Baluchistan Region

(after www.harappa.com)

There is a long history of settlement in the Baluchistan region, where

there are probably the earliest village farming communities of the Harappan age.

A complete, unbroken sequence of habitation has been uncovered, up to and

including the Kulli complex of the Mature Harappan. There are many identified

pre, early and mature Harappan sites such as Mehrgarh, Kile Gul Mohammad,

Surab, Sur Jangal, Rana Ghundai, Periano Ghundai, Dabar Kot, Damb Sadaat,

Nal, Kulli, Mehi, Niai Buthi, Sohr Damb, Bampur, Anjira etc. in the region

(Map 5.2).

Most of the animals domesticated by the humans during the Harappan age

are still found wild in the Baluchistan region. These include wild goat (Capra

aegagrus), wild sheep or urial (Ovis vigni), wild pig (Sus scrofa) and onager

(Equus heminus) etc.

149

Mehrgarh:

The site Mehrgarh is located at the foot of the Bolan Pass in eastern

Baluchistan. This site is situated on the north Kachi plain at the foot of the

mountainous edge of the Indus alluvium2. The large scale scientific excavations

at Mehrgarh has provided a solid base to the theory that the cultural tradition of

the third and forth millennium BC in Baluchistan and Indus valley were deeply

rooted in local traditions, beginning with the very early Neolithic age. It

revealed a continuous sequence from the Pre-ceramics Neolithic to the

beginning of the Mature-Harappan stage. Seven major periods of occupation

have been defined by excavators.

Period I Aceramic Neolithic settlement

Period II Ceramic Neolithic settlement

Period III Early Chalcolithic settlement

Period IV Advanced Chalcolithic settlement

Period V Transitional period

Period VI Early bronze age settlement

Period VII Post Harappan levels

Faunal remains have been carefully collected from all periods but, as yet,

only those from the earliest and latest settlements (Period I, II and VII) have

been analyzed in some detail3. The wild animal remains that dominate the early

levels of Aceramic Neolithic period-I reflect this situation with twelve ungulate

species having been identified as Gazelle (Gazella dorcas), wild goat (Capra

aegargrus), wild sheep (Ovis orientalist), swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli),

2Jarrige, J. F., (1979), Excavations at Mehrgarh-Pakistan, J. E. Van Lohuizen-de Leeuw (ed.), South Asian

Archaeology 1975, pp. 76-87. 3Meadow, R. H., (1981), Early Domestication in South Asia: A First Report of the Faunal Remains from

Mehrgarh, Pakistan, H. Hartel (ed.), South Asian Archaeology, 1979, pp. 143-79.

150

nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and catlte (Bos namadicus) as relatively

abundant and the less common were the remains of buffalo (Babalus arnee),

spotted deer (Axis axis), onager (Equus heminus), black buck (Antilope

cervicapra), wild pig (Sus scrofa) and elephant (Elephas maximus). A very few

specimens of fish, birds and turtle have been identified (Table 5.2)4.

Almost all faunal remains from period II at Mehrgarh were of domestic

cattle, sheep and goats, with the cattle predominating5 the collection. Seventeen

equid bones have been identified from period I and three from period II. All of

them belong to the Asiatic wild ass or half ass (Equus hemionus). The increase

is more conspicuous in the case of cattle. Cattle remains which accounted for

four percent of the faunal record in the earliest level of period-I rose to 38

percent by the end of the aceramic period and to 65 percent in mid-period II.

The increase in frequency was accompanied by a decrease in the size of the

animal, providing evidence for the local domestication of the species. From

period VII, in addition to the hunted remains of gazelle, onager and pig,

significant numbers of bones of river turtle (Trionyx gangeticus) and cat fish

have been obtained6.

Mehrgarh is the only site in the whole of South Asia, where the

beginnings of animal husbandry and its subsequent development could be

identified. Both osteological and figurine evidences indicate that zebu (humped)

cattle (Bos indicus) were present in dominant form7. These findings confirm the

proposals with regard to the indigenous origin of South Asian animals.

4 Ibid. 5Jarrige, J. F. and R. H. Meadow, (1980), The antecedents of civilization in the Indus Valley, Scientific

American, Vol. 243, No. 2, pp. 102-110. 6Ibid. 7Meadow, R. H., (1984), Notes on the Faunal Remains from Mehrgarh, Pakistan, with a Focus on Cattle (Bos),

B. Allchin, (ed.), South Asian Archaeology 1981, pp. 34-40.

151

Balakot:

A small Harappan site Balakot is located about 90 kms north-northwest of

Karachi and about 16 kms inland from the Arabian Sea, off the south eastern

corner of the Las Bela plain. During the excavations three periods were

identified by G.F. Dales8. The culture of periods I and II, belong to Harappan

and post Harappan periods. Faunal remains were carefully collected during the

three principal field seasons (1974-1976). These materials have been studied by

R.H. Meadow and a preliminary report was published9. A distinctive faunal

collection characterizes each of the major cultural periods at Balakot. The

“Balakotian” assemblage is dominated by cattle remains, which constitute about

75 percent of the mammalian remains. Sheep, goat, gazelle (Gazella dorcas),

pig and onager are the other species present. (Table 5.2)

Less faunal remains were collected from Harappan periods as compared

to Baluchistan region. In this total assemblage, cattle bones have been identified

to the tune of 40 percent. Added to the domestic stock was the water buffalo

(Babalus bubalis), while in addition to gazelle, nilgai were hunted. From the

faunal remains, it is clear that the population of Harappan period was willingly

able to tap a much wider range of resources than their predecessors at the site.

Whereas the “Balakotian” people probably grazed their cattle and dominated

herd in the alluvial area immediately around the site and hunted gazelle in the

same restricted habitat. The Harappan inhabitants were able to effectively

exploit not only that environment but also the mangrove, swamps, creeks and

8Dales, G. F., (1974), Excavation at Balakot, Pakistan, 1973, Journal of Field Archaeology, 1, pp. 2-22 and The

Balakot Project: Summary of Four Years of Excavations in Pakistan (1979), M. Taddei (ed.), South Asian

Arrchaeology 1977, pp. 241-74. 9Meadow, R. H., (1979), Prehistoric Subsistence at Balakot: Initial Consideration of the Faunal Remains, M.

Taddei (ed.), South Asian Arrchaeology 1977, pp. 275-315.

152

open sea coast, thus adding a completely new dimension to the nutritional

energetic base of the settlement10

.

Kili Gul Mohammad:

The site Kili Gul Mohammad is situated 3 kms northeast of Quetta, in

Baluchistan. It was excavated by W.A. Fairservis in 1950-51, and a four period

culture-sequence was obtained. The period designations are lettered from A to J.

Period G to J are prehistoric and A to F historical. It’s lowest cultural level

represent a relatively settled community which lived in mud huts and used

stones’ and bone-tools with no traces of agriculture and pottery11

.

The excavations brought to light about 15,000 animal bones, of which

about 200 belong to wild animals. The bones of sheep and goat were most

frequent and were found in all phases (J to G). From the age of teeth it seems

that many of the animals were killed when they were less than two years old.

The rest of the animals attained maturity12

. The identifier notes that possibly

some of the horn fragments belonged to the ibex, but he further to adds that

there is no certain way to establish it without better evidence13

.

Commenting on these finds, R. Conard remarks that there are three factors

which make it difficult to be sure of domestication: (1) the presence of the

Sabre-horned Bezoar goat (Capraaegagrus Erxleben) in north-west India – the

main ancestor of the domestic goat; the presence also of the Markhor (Capra

falconezi); (2) the wild sheep living in Baluchistan being the ancestor of most of

the domestic sheep breeds; and (3) the difficulties arising in connection with the

10Meadow, R. H., (1987), Faunal Exploitation Patterns in Eastern Iran and Baluchistan: A Review of Recent

Investigations, E. Curaverunt and G. G. Lanciotti, (eds.), Orientalia Iosephi Tucci Memoriae Dicata, Serie

Orientale Roma, LVI, 2, pp. 881-916. 11Fairservis, W. A., (1956), Excavations in the Quetta Valley, West Pakistan, Anthropological Papers on the

American Museum, Natural. History., Vol. 45, Part 2, pp. 169-402. 12Ibid, p. 382 13Ibid, p. 382, fig. 2.

153

differentiation of the bones of primitive domestic goats and sheep from those of

wild animals14

. Cattle remains were encountered at all levels. But in quantity

they were never as great as those of goat and sheep. The remains from phase H

upwards have been ascribed to Bos indicus. It is not known whether the bones of

phases I to J belong to wild or domestic cattle15

. A small number of Equine

bones were found from the period J to G. They have been identified as those of

Equus hemionus, the onager (Table 5.2)16

.

Remains of wild animals like deer, gazelle and fox are available in very

small quantities. Surprisingly their bones found in the earlier periods do not

exceed those reported from the later periods.

Table 5.2 Faunal assemblage in Baluchistan Region from Harappan sites:

Domestic And Wild Animals MRH KGM BLT

Bos indicus (Cattle) P P P

Bubalus bubalis (Buffalo) D P

Capra hircus (Goat) P P P

Ovis aries (Sheep) P P P

Sus domesticus (Pig) P P D

Bos sq. (Cattle) P

Bublus arnee (Buffalo) D

Borelaphus tragocamelus (Nilgai) P P

Antilop cervicapra (Black-Duck) P P

Gazella Bennetti; (Chinkara) P P P

Axis axis (Chital) P

14Paddayya, K., (1974), The domestic animals in the early cultures of India (Summary of R. Conard, 1966, Die

Haustiere in den fruhen Kulturen indeins), Journal of Indian History, Vol. 52, pp. 75-87. 15Ibid, 16Ibid, p. 382, fig. 6.

154

Sus scrofa (Pig) P P P

Equus hemionus (Onager) P P P

Cervus duvauceli (Barasingha) P

Note: P= present, D= doubtful

MRH = Mehrgarh III-VII; KGM = Kile Gul Mohammad; BLT = Balakot.

Indus Valley Region:

The Indus Valley region of the Harappan civilization is an area of central

importance and is the largest of all the regions. The geographical area of the

Indus valley corresponds to the “Greater Indus Valley”17

, which is essentially

the arid, or arid-savanna, or the alluvial plain of the Indus river system. This

extends from the Himalaya in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south. To the

west it is bordered by the Baluchistan and on the east by bay of the northwest of

Ghaggar river. This region was the first of the discovered Harappan sites like

Harappa and Mohenjodaro, later followed by hundred of sites discovered by

several scholars.

The Indus valley region would have been the home to the lowland species

of mammals of the Greater Indus region; the elephant and rhinoceros along with

the lion and tiger, as well as other cats were there. The Indus river, and it lakes

and tributaries would have abounded with fish, which appear to have been

important in the subsistence regime all though the Harappan age18

.

Mohenjodaro:

Mohenjodaro is the best-known and the most studied site in different

aspects by various scholars. The site is situated on the right bank of the Indus

river in Larkana district of Sindh in Pakistan (although at present the river is 17Mughal, M. R., (1970), The Early Harappan Period in the Great Indus Valley and Baluchistan. Ph. D.

Dissertation, Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania. 18Possehl, G. L., (1999), Indus Age: The Beginnings, pp. 275-78.

155

nearly 5 kms away from the mounds but there is evidence to suggest that in

ancient time it flowed very close to them). Sir John Marshall was the first to

carry out excavations at Mohenjodaro and published his results under the title

Mohenjodaro and Indus civilization (1931). E.J.H. Mackay, continued the

excavation and published, Further Excavation at Mohenjodaro (1938). Sir

Mortimer Wheeler also did some excavations there in 1950 but did not publish

any formal report. This was first archaeological site where the first report on

animal remains studied by R. B. S. Sewell and B. S. Guha19

appeared.

In almost every instance, the remains were extremely fragile and

fragmentary. In most of the bones the organic material had completely

disappeared20

. Thirty seven species have been identified in the collection. But if

one includes the Polyzoan and Sponge, growing on the Mullusc Fasciolaria, and

Anatinid Mollusc living in the coral then thirty nine different species were in the

collection21

. Several of these were domesticated or semi domesticated and wild

animals. Quite a large number of animals seem to have been domesticated.

Actual skeletal remains of humped bull (Bos Indicus L.), buffalo (Bos bubalis

L.), sheep (Ovis sp.), pig (Sus cristatus), camel (Camelus dromedarius L.),

elephant (Elephas maximus), dog (Canis familiaris L.) and fowl (Gollus sq.)

have been found (Table 5.4).

The considerable frequency with which the remains of Bos indicus have

been met with during the excavations indicates that the inhabitants of

Mohenjodaro had large herd of this animal22

. Sewell and Guha are not sure

whether the horse was really domesticated because the horse bones have been

found near the surface (within less than 2 feet).

19Sewell, R. B. S. and B.S. Guha, (1931), Zoological Remains, Sir J. Marshall (ed.), Mohenjodaro and Indus

Civilization, Vol. II, pp. 649-73. 20Ibid, p. 649. 21Sewell, R. B. S. and B. S. Guha, (1931), Op. Cit., p. 650. 22Ibid, p. 669.

156

Sewell and Guha are not sure whether the pig and fowl were really

domesticated23

. Fish (different variety) bones with cut marks on them suggest

that they were used for food. The presence of the remains of a number of other

aquatic animals such as the gharial, and turtles in burnt condition indicates that

they were undoubtedly articles of diet24

. Many wild animal remains were found

such sambar, hog deer, Kashmir stage and chital.

Harappa:

The Harappa is situated in Sahiwal District of Punjab (Pakistan),

Harappan region extends over a circuit of 6 km on the left bank of the Ravi.

Faunal remains were collected from almost all pockets and area. The Harappan

faunal material was worked out by B. Prashad25

, who identified 30 species in the

collection. This was the second major report on animal remains of the Harappan

Culture after the report on Mohenjodaro by R.B.S. Swell and B.S. Guha.

Prashad identified 30 species in the collection; of these are 4 invertebrates

and 26 vertebrate. Many domestic animals were found at Harappa. The cattle or

ox (Bos indicus) from Harappa have been identified in two main distinct types;

first, a large massive humped (Zebu) and secondly, a humpless, smaller form

with short horns. Unfortunately very few remains of water buffalo (Bublus

bublis) were recovered from Harappa, but even with this material there can be

no doubt that this animal were also domesticated by the Indus valley inhabitants.

Sheep and goats (Ovis aries, Capra hircus) bones were identified and Prashad

suggests that these animals played an important part in domestication process of

Harappa people (Table 5.4). The domestic pig remains were collected from

23Ibid, pp.68-69. 24Ibid, p. 670. 25Prashad, B., (1936), Animal remains from Harappan, MOASI, No. 51.

157

Harappa. Only three fragments of the camel have been found from this site. The

remains of cat were also recorded. Prashad opines that the Harappan cat is the

first representative of the domestic cat in the sub-continent. The domestic dog

remains were collected from this site. Prashad suggests that the grey-hound type

dog were present at Harappa. The domestic ass, the remains of which have been

found at Harappa, in view of its close relationship with the African species, is

considered as having been imported to the Indus valley from Africa26

.

Bhola Nath has identified the remains of the horse (Equus caballus) and

the Indian elephant (Elephas maximus) from the unworked collection from

Harappa, lying with the zoological survey of India. The horse remains were

obtained from Area G at the site, representing a late phase. Nath claimed that

this was the first record of the true horse and the Indian elephant from the

region27

. Many wild animal remains like that of lizard, jackal, wolf, rhinoceros,

barasingha, gharial and fish also have been identified.

Chanhudaro:

Chanhudaro site is about 130 kms south of Mohenjodaro, Chanhudaro lies

at present some 20 kms east of the Indus. The site was discovered and trial

trenched by Majumdar and later duly excavated by Mackay. Three cultural

periods were identified, with a clear break in between them. From bottom

upwards these are; I, Harappan – divided into sub three phase IA to IC; II,

Jhukar; III Jhanjar28

.

The skeletal and other bone remains from the site were studied by

Glover, M. Allen but many of the remains were in bad state of preservation29

.

26 Ibid, p.8. 27Nath, B., (1959), Remains of the horse and Indian elephant from the prehistoric site of Harappa (West

Pakistan) Proceeding of the First All-India Congress of Zoologists, Pt. 2, Scientific Papers, pp. 1-14. 28Mackay, E. J. H., (1943), Chanhudaro Excavations 1935-36, pp.270-73 29Ibid, pp. 246-50.

158

Many of the faunal remains of cattle (Bos indicus), pig (Sus domesticus), goat

(Capra hircus), sambar (Cervus unicolor), hog dog (Cervus porcinus) and

reptiles were identified from the assemblage (Table 5.4).

Jalilpur:

The site Jalilpur is located some 65 kms southwest of Harappa, on the

junction of Chenab and Ravi rivers. It consists of two mounds: A and B.

Chronologically it belonged to the Early Harappan period of the Great Indus

valley and has been assigned to the early third millennium BC and earlier. The

Mature phase of the Harappan Culture is not represented at Jalilpur30

. Meadow

has studied the total 329 bones recovered from Jalilpur31

.

According to preliminary reports, the animal remains of such animals as

the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), cattle

(Bos indicus), sheep, goat and gazelle were found (Table 5.4). There are no

equid remains in the collection and there is no clear evidence for the existence

of deer. A figure of more than 75 percent has been quoted for cattle bones for

early 3rd

millennium levels at the site32

. Fishing formed an element of the

economy is suggested by the presence of terracotta net sinkers. It is inferred that

animal meat or fish constituted a good part of the diet of the Jalilpur people33

.

Kot Diji:

Kot Diji is a small rural Harappan settlement on the east bank of the Indus

river in Khairpur division of Pakistan. Kot Diji was excavated by F.A. Khan in

30Mughal, M. R., (1972), Excavation at Jalilpur, Pakistan Archaeology, No. 8, pp. 117-124. 31Meadow, R. H., (1987-88), The Faunal Remains from Jalilpur, A. N. Khan (ed.), Pakistan Archaeology, No.

23, pp. 204-220. 32Meadow, R. H., (1981), Op. Cit., pp.143-79. 33Ibid, pp. 209-10.

159

1955 and 1957 which brought to light two periods of occupation: Period I- Kot

Dijian (Pre or Early Harappan), period II – Mature Harappan34

.

Faunal remains recovered from the site were in poor quantity. One does

not have a good knowledge of the Kot Dijian animals. Sankalia opines that it

may reasonably be presumed that a mixed diet of wheat, barley and other grains,

as well as animal food consisting of the ox, cow, pig, deer and fish constituted

the subsistence basis of the people (Table 5.4)35

. Fairservis36

notes that cattle,

sheep and goat are evidenced from the settlements. He points out that sheep do

not do well in lowlands and both goats and cattle are liable to develop all types

of hoof difficulties if kept purely on moist alluvial soil pasturage. A few bone

and shell objects were recovered. A few cattle and goat motifs were also

identified on Kot Diji pottery (Fig. 3.15 to 3.17).

Rehman Dheri:

Rehman Dheri is situated in the area known as the Dera Jat. The site was

excavated by F.A. Khan in season 1972, and three occupational periods were

identified: Period I – proto Kot Dijian period; Period II – Kot Dijian with

Mature Harappan and Period III – Kot Dijian with more Mature Harappan

elephants37

. From the early period bones of cattle, sheep and goats are reported

(Table 5.4)38

.

Gumla:

The site Gumla is located at a distance of about 10 kms from Dera Ismail

Khan in Gomal Valley and a limited excavation of it was carried out by A.H.

34Khan, F. A., (1965), Excavation at Kot Diji, Pakistan Archaeology, No. 2, pp. 11-85. 35Sankalia, H. D., (1974), Prehistory and Protohistory of India and Pakistan, p. 339. 36Fairservis, W. A., (1975), Roots of Ancient India, p. 184. 37Durrani, F. A., (1988), Excavation in Gomal Valley: Rehman Dheri Excavation Report, No. 1, Ancient

Pakistan, No. 6, pp. 1-204. 38 Allchin, B. and F. R. Allchin, (1982), The Rise of Civilization in India and Pakistan, p.151

160

Dani. Gumla yielded the remains of six occupational periods: Period I – Pre

ceramic, Period II – Chalcolithic, Period III – Kot Dijian, Period IV – Harappan

and Period V and VI belongs to later occupations39

.

In Period I some bone fragments were found. One bone fragment was

identified as belonging to domesticated cattle. It was burnt and broken into two(

Table 5.4)40

. Bones of period II and III have been recovered from the site but

there was no work done on the bone assemblage.

Amri:

Amri in Sind (Pakistan) is an important site because of the presence of

both Early Harappan and Harappan levels. Its importance was first brought to

light by Majumdar in 192941

; subsequently, the site was selected for a detailed

excavation by J. M. Casal in 1959-6242

. On the basis of the material, Casal has

divided cultural remains of this site in three periods. Amri Period III belongs to

the Harappan Culture. This period has yielded the maximum bone remains at the

site; which were also studied by J. M. Casal43

. On the basis of report, both wild

and domestic animals were identified as: cattle, sheep, goat, pig, gazelle, deer,

rhinoceros, bear, nilgai, garial and tortoise in the assemblage from period II

(Table 5.4). Both hunting and animal rearing seem to have been important

elements of the food economy of the people.

Thus we can see that out of the whole range of animals cattle (Bos

indicus) is the only animal which is represented at all the sites. Goat and sheep

39Dani, A. H., (1970-71), Excavation in the Gomal Valley, Ancient Pakistan, Vol. 5, pp. 1-177. 40Ibid, p. 41. 41 Majumdar, N. G., (1929-30), Explorations in Sind, Annual Reports of the ASI, 1929-30, pp.129-30. 42Casal, J. M., (1964), Fouilles ‘D’ Amri, Vol. I, pp. 2-3. 43Ibid, pp. 164-70.

161

were the other species found in the region. From the following chart a

comparative picture of the faunal assemblage can be obtained.

Rupar and Bara:

In the present day Punjab of India most of the area falls in the basins of

Indus tributaries and only the eastern parts fall in the Ghaggar basin. In the area

of Indus basin a number of Harappan sites were excavated viz. Ropar, Bara,

Salora, Sanghol, Rohira, Mohirana, Sonet, Bhudan etc. but reports about faunal

remains of Ropar and Bara are available. Both sites are located at the left bank

of the Sutlej in Punjab; Ropar (also spelt as Rupar and now known as Rupnagar)

has the distinction of being the first Harappan site excavated in India after

Independence. It was excavated by Y.D. Sharma during 1952-5544

.

Bara, a small village on the left bank of the seasonal rivulet known as

Budkinadi, is situated 6 kms south-west of Rupar site. It was also excavated by

Y.D. Sharma in 1955 and again in 1971 and recently one year field session of

excavation has been conducted by Shimla Circle, Archaeological Survey of

India. The faunal remains from these two sites were studied by Bhola

Nath45

.The animals remains of Rupar belong to three cultural periods, period I is

belong to Harappan culture.

In all, 31 species have been identified at Rupar, from these only 10

species were belonging to Period-I as Chitra Indica (Gray) [Carapace], Trionyx

gangeticus cuvier, Canis familiaris Linn, Elephas maximus Linn, Rattus rattus

44 Sharma,Y. D., (1956), Past patterns in living as unfolded by excavations at Ropar, Lalit Kala, 1-2, pp, 121-29. 45 Nath, B., (1968), Animal remains from Rupar and Bara sites, Ambala district, E. Punjab, India, India

Museum Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 1-2, pp. 69-116.

162

linn, Bubalus bublalis linn, Bos indicus linn, Ovis aries dolichura Duest, Capra

hircus aegagrus Erxl and Sus scrofa cristatus Wagner (Table 5.4 ) 46

.

The animal remains from Bara site are all of one cultural phase namely,

Harappan but on the basis of slight variation in potteries it has been divided into

two phase’s viz. Phase -A and Phase- B (Table 5.3).

Table 5.3 Phase wise distribution of animal bone remains from Bara

Sr.

No.

Species Name Phase A Phase B

1 Bos indicus (Cattle) P P

2 Bubalus bublis (Buffalo) P P

3 Ovis arie (Sheep) P P

4 Sus scrofa (Pig) P

5 Vivparus bengalensis(Mollusca

(Mussell)

P

6 Capra hircus (Goat) P

7 Varanus flavescens (Monitor

Lizzard)

D P

Note: P= present, D= doubtful

The faunal assemblage of Bara is marked by presence of humped cattle,

buffalo, sheep, pig, monitor lizard and a fresh water mussel. Many of these are

the domesticated species encountered at Bara.

The humped cattle obviously were the most favorite domesticated animals

of the inhabitants. On the basis of measurement of the skull and other remains

Nath47

opines that the humped cattle of Rupar came very close to smaller,

humpless, short- horned variety of Harappa cattle. A few cut marks on the

bones, particularly of those of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig indicate the

probable use of these animals for food.

46Nath, B. & Biswas, (1968), Op. Cit., pp. 70. 47Ibid, p.96.

163

Table 5.4 Faunal assemblage in Indus Valley region from Harappan sites.

Domestic and Wild

Animals

MHR HRP CHR JLR KTD RHD GML AMR RPR BAR

Bos indicus (Cattle) P P P P P P P P P P

Bubalus bubalis

(Buffalo) P P P P P

Capra hircus (Goat) P P P P P P P P

Ovis aries (Sheep) P P P P P P P P

Sus domesticus (Pig) P P P P P P P

Camelus dromedarius

(Camel) P P

Canis familiaris (Dog) P P P

Equus caballus (Horse) P P

Equus asinus (Ass) P

Gallus gullus (Fowl)

P P P

Elephas maximus

(Elephant) P P P P

Bos sq. (Cattle) P P

Bublus arnee (Buffalo) P

Borelaphus

tragocamelus (Nilgai) P P P P P P

Tetracerus quadricornis

(?) (Chowsingha) P P P

Antilop cervicapra

(Black-Duck) D

Gazella Bennetti;

(Chinkara) P P P P P

Axis axis (Chital) P P P P P P

Sus scrofa (Pig) P P P

Equus hemionus

(Onager)

P D

164

Cervusduvauceli

(Barasingha)

P P P P P

Rhinoceros unicornis

(Rhinoceros)

P P

Canis lupus (wolf) P

Note: P= present, D= doubtful

MRH = Mohenjodaro, HRP = Harappa, CHR = Chanhudaro, JLR = Jalilpur, KTD = Kot Diji,

RHD = Rehman Dheri, GML = Gumla, AMR = Amri, RPR = Rupar, BAR = Bara

Ghaggar Basin Region:

From Northern India, which was the eastern domain of the Harappan

civilization, relatively less information for the particular aspect is available. The

Ghaggar basin or the region covering part of the states of Punjab, Haryana and

parts of Rajasthan has yielded more than 1000 sites in Ghagger, Yamuna Dived

only belonging to all phases of the Harappan civilization where as there were

about 1500 sites in whole Ghaggar basin48

. The Ghaggar region witnessed the

development of the Harappan civilization in the middle of the third millennium

B.C. These Early Harappan cultures like the regional Hakra traditions, Siswal

and Sothi cultures flourished between the fourth and third millennium B.C.

Some important excavated sites in this region are Kalibangan, Balu, Siswal,

Banawali, Mitathal, Kunal, Rakhigarhi, Bhirrana, Baror and recently excavated

Farmana (Maps 5.3) etc. Excavations have been conducted at many important

sites in this region but the animal remains have not been properly studied

except for very few sites.

These settlements are mostly large and their cultural findings make them

a very crucial area for understanding the early development and growth of the

48 Kumar, Manmohan, (2007), Harappan settlements in Ghaggar-Yamuna divide, Linguistic, Archaeology and

the Human past, Occasional Paper 7, pp. 175.

165

Harappan Culture as well as that of the succeeding cultures. It is for this reason

that the Ghaggar region could be an equally important region for tracing ancient

animal exploitation pattern from the Early Harappan to the Mature Harappan

period.

Very limited archaeological studies have been carried out in the Ghaggar

region. As compared to the numbers of sites reported, the animal remains have

been studied and published from only a few sites. Faunal reports are available

with regard to Kalibangan49

, Bhagwanpura50

and Tarkhanewala-Dera51

.

The scholars of Deccan College Pune are going ahead with faunal

research at some of the important excavated sites like Rakhigarhi, Bhirrana and

recently excavated Farmana also in this region.

49Nath, B., (1963), The Role of Animals Remains in the Early Historic and Prehistoric Cultures of India, Bulletin

of the Indian Museum, 4(2), pp. 102-110) and Banerjee, S., R. N. Mukherjee and B. Nath, (2003), Identification

Report of Animal Remains from Kalibangan, B. B. Lal, B. K. Thaper, J.P. Joshi and Madhu Bala, (eds.),

Excavation at Kalibangan: The Early Harappan (1960-69), pp. 267-339. 50Sharma, A. K., (1993), Animal Skeletal Remains, Excavations at Bhagwanpura 1975-76 and other Exploration

and Excavations 1975-81 in Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, J.P. Joshi 1993 (ed.), MOASI, No. 89, pp.

143-53. 51Deshpande-Mukherjee, A., P. K. Trivedi and J. K. Patnaik, (2008), Archaeozoological Evidence from the

River Ghaggar with Special Reference to Trakhanwala-Dera and Chak 86, Man and Environment, 33(1), pp. 51-

57.

166

Map 5.3 Map showing the major excavated Harappan sites in Ghaggar Region

(after Manmohan Kumar et al. 2011).

Burj

The site named Burj (watch tower) fall in the jurisdiction of village

Bhasamarha (District Patiala, Punjab) and situated in the central Ghaggar basin

on near the north bank of Ghaggar. This site yielded the remains of Bara culture

whose two sub phases are clearly visible in the early phases painted designs are

horizontal bands incised designs but in the next phase the painted designs are

prolific and has also incised design52

.

52 Kumar, Manmohan, (1984), A note on the excavation at Burj (1977), District Patiala, Punjab, Svasti Sri, Dr.

B.Ch. Felicitation Volume, K. V. Ramesh, A. Prasad and S. P. Tiwari, (eds.), Agam Kala Prakashan, Delhi, pp.

319-23.

167

The faunal assemblages were studied by Samvit Kaul who identified

domestic animal cattle, goat and sheep53

.

Bhagwanpura:

Bhagwanpura is located 29 kms north east of the district headquarter at

Kurukshetra on the right bank of the river Saraswati, a tributary Ghaggar. The

excavation at Bhagwanpura revealed a twofold cultural sequence sub period IA

(Late Harappan) and IB Painted Gray ware overlapping with the Late

Harappan54

.

The faunal study carried out by A.K. Sharma showed that in both the

periods cattle predominated and two varieties one massive and the other dwarf

were present. An increase in the use of sheep / goat from the Late Harappan to

the Painted Gray ware is visible. Other animals reported in the Late Harappan

period are wild pig and domestic dog also (Table 5.5)55

.

From the collection, ten species of animal could be identified in both the

sub-periods. Cattle outnumber all other species followed by sheep and goats.

53 Ibid, p.322. 54Joshi, J.P., (1993), Excavation at Bhagwanpura 1975-76 and other exploration & excavations 1975-81 in

Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, MOASI No.89, pp. 8-23. 55Sharma, A. K., (1993), Op. Cit., pp. 143-45.

168

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Sub Period IA

Sub Period IB

Chart 5.1 Period wise percentages of animal remains from Bhagwanpura excavations.

Cattle: - There were distinctly two varieties of cattle at Bhagwanpura, one of

the massive and other of dwarf size. The cattle population with 79 percent in

sub- period IA and 67 percent in sub-period IB (Chart 5.1), far out-numbered the

population of all other species represented at the site, indicating thereby that

animal husbandry was one of the major sources of economy along with

agriculture for the inhabitants of Bhagwanpura.

Sheep and Goat: - After cattle, sheep and goat bones formed the second largest

chunk of the collection. There is slight increase in the population of sheep and

goats from sub-period IA to sub-period IB. These animals are represented in the

collection mostly by mandibular and maxillary fragment, metacarpal, metatarsal

and limb bone56

.

Pig: - The population of pig increased to 3 percent in sub-period IB from 1.5

percent in sub-period IA. In fact in the collection under study there is only a

solitary bone of pig from sub- period IA. The considerably lesser percentage of

56Sharma, A. K., (1993), Op. Cit., pp. 146.

169

this animal at the site as compared to cattle shows that pork was not much

preferred.

Dog: -The dog recovered from Bhagwanpura resembles Pariah type. The

number of bones increased nearly double fold from sub-period IA to IB.

Horse and Ass: - The horse and ass bones have been recovered only from sub-

period IB. The numbers of ass bones are just the double of the horse. The parts

recovered are of very distinctive bones, i.e. metatarsal; first, second and third

phalanges and teeth57

.Very limited numbers of bones, belonging to wild game

animals, recovered from the site show that there were not many game animals in

the vicinity. Due to plenty of agricultural products and animal husbandry,

Bhagwanpura people were not much interested in hunting.

Kalibangan:

It is located in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan on the left bank of

Ghaggar. The site was excavated from the year 1960-61 to 1968-69, for 9

successive excavation sessions under the supervision B. B. Lal58

.

The animal bones were recovered in considerable amounts; no detailed

faunal research was attempted. Animal bones were first studied by Nath59

. Nath

had identified two varieties of domestic cattle; first was a large massive form of

long horned cattle and another was a small form with short horns. The bones

remains of humped cattle form the largest percentage.

Other domestic animals included buffalo, goat, sheep, pig, dog, fowl,

domestic ass, camel and elephant also. Besides some wild animals were also

reported such as elephant, rhinoceros, barasingha, sambar, spotted deer along

57Ibid, Pl. LI A. 58 Lal, B. B., (1979), Kalibangan and Indus Civilization, D. P. Agrawal and D. K. Chakrabarti, (eds.), Essay in

Indian Protohistory, pp.65-97. 59Nath, B., (1969), The Role of Animals Remains in the Early Historic and Prehistoric Cultures of India, Bulletin

of the Indian Museum, 4(2), pp. 102-110.

170

with turtle remains60

. Later S. Banerjee and others gave further input of the

fauna identified in the Early and Mature Harappan levels at Kalibangan61

(Table

5.5).The occurrence of the bones of camel fragments is significant. The find of

the camel is important because it proves its antiquity in the region62

.

Bhirrana:

A Harappan site at Bhirrana in Fatehabad district, Haryana, recently

excavated by Archaeological Survey of India in the years 2003-2006, has

yielded a rich cultural sequence from the Early to the Mature Harappan period63

.

A number of animal bones were recovered from all periods of this site.

Preliminary analyses of the animal bones belonging to all cultural periods have

indicated the exploitation of a wide spectrum of animals ranging from wild to

domestic. Most significant are the large sized cattle bones. In the faunal

assemblage that has been studied, cattle bones are maximum and are from the

early levels. Bones of cattle (Bos indicus) and buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) were

identified. Presence of bifid thoracic vertebrae indicates the presence of the

humped cattle (Zebu). Another animal group which is quite prominent is that of

the goat (Capra hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries). Very few bones of the domestic

family have been identified. These have been identified as Equus sp. since bones

of both domestic horse (Equus caballus) and the domestic ass (Equus asinus)

are also quite similar in skeletal characters; hence, it is difficult to identify the

species level. The wild pig (Sus scrofa) and domestic pig (Sus domesticus) are

represented by a few bones. A few carnivore bones belonging to the domestic

60Ibid. 61Deshpande-Mukherjee, A., (2010), New Light on Harappan Animal Based Subsistance from Recent Faunal

Studies in the Ghaggar Region, Puratattava, No. 40, pp. 112-119. 62Lal, B. B. and B.K. Thaper, (1967), Excavation at Kalibangan – New light on the Indus civilization, Cultural

Forum, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 78-88. 63 Rao, L. S., N. B. Sahu, U. A. Shastry, P. Sahu and S. Diwan, (2005-06), New Light on the Excavation of

Harappan Settlement at Bhirrana, Puratattva, No. 36, pp. 45-49.

171

dog (Canis familiaris) have been identified in the assemblage. The domestic

fowls have also been identified from this site. The wild animals are also

presented such as gaur (Bos gaurus), blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), nilgai

(Boselaphas tragocamalus), chital (Gazellagazella), leopard (Panthera pardus)

(Table 5.5). The aquatic fauna and few bird bones have been identified in the

assemblage64

. Presence of charring, cutting and chopping marks were observed

on many of the bones that indicate that these were contributed to their food

economy.

Rakhigarhi:

Rakhigarhi, one of the most important Harappan site, is situated in tehsil

Narnaud, district. Hissar, Harayana. This site was excavated by Archaeological

Survey of India during the years 1998-2002. The site is spread over six main

mounds which have been named as RGR-I to RGR-VI65

. A number of bones

were recovered from all mounds and from various periods, but collection of

bones only from the Early Harappan level of RGR-VI have been studied by

Uparathana (Chart 5.2)66

.

64Deshpande-Mukherjee, A., (2010), New Light on Harappan Animal Based Subsistance from Recent Faunal

Studies in the Ghaggar Region, Puratattava, No. 40, pp. 112-119. 65 Nath, Amarendra, (2001-02), Rakhigarh: 1999-2000, Puratattava, No. 31, pp. 43-45. 66 Uparathana, R. U., (2011), Animals based subsistence of early Harappans during earliest levels of RGR-VI at

Rakhigarhi, Distt. Hissar, Haryana, Dissertation (unpublished), Deccan College PGRI, Pune.

172

05

101520253035404550

Identified bones from Rakhigarhi (RGR-VI)

Identified bones from Rakhigarhi (RGR-VI)

Chart 5.2 Identified bones from Rakhigarhi (RGR-VI).

Farmana:

Harappan site Farmana, located in Rohtak district of Haryana, was

excavated for three seasons in the years 2007-10. The excavations have revealed

a cultural sequence from the Early to Mature Harappan periods. The faunal

studies has so far revealed the domesticated species of cattle, sheep, goat, pig

and dog; and wild species of pig, gazelle, antelope, chital, rat, hare, nilgai,

mollusks and fish (Table 5.5)67

.

Madina:

The site Madina is located about 3 kms southwest of the village Madina.

The site was excavated under the supervision of Prof. Manmohan Kumar. The

excavation has revealed some traits of the late Harappan culture with the PGW

culture in all eight phases68

.

67Shinde, V., T. Osada, A. Usengi and Manmohan Kumar, (2008), A Report on the Excavations at Farmana

2007-08, Occasional Paper 6, Linguistics, Archaeology and the Human Past, Koyoto, Japan. 68 Kumar, M.,V. Shinde, A.Usegui, V.Dangi, S. Kumar and V. Kumar, (2009), Excavation at Madina, District

Rohtak, Haryana 2007-08: A Report , Linguistics, Archaeology and the Human past, Occasional Paper 7, pp.77-

177.

173

A large number of animal bone fragment and teeth were recovered and a

random sample of 268 fragment of bone studied by P. P. Joglekar69

. From the

sample both mammals and non-mammals were identified. The domestic

mammals are higher than the wild mammals. The domestic mammals were

cattle (Bos indicus), buffalo (Bubalus babulis), Sheep (Ovies aries), goat (Capra

hircus), pig (Sus domesticus), horse (Equus caballus) and dog (Canis familier)

(Table5.5); and six wild mammals were found nilgai, blackbuck, spotted deer,

hare, Indian fox and panther. The prevalence of wild mammals indicate that the

hunting also was practice of the people.

Tarkhanewala-Dera:

Tarkhanewala-Dera is located close to Chak 86 in the dry river bed of the

Ghaggar in Anupgarh tehsil, district Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. This site was

excavated by A. Ghosh in 1953, and in 2003-04, Tarkhanwala-Dera was once

again excavated by P. K. Trivedi70

.

The faunal material from this site comprised a small assembly of 94 bone

fragments in which 6 mammals, 1 reptile, and 1 fish were identified (Table 5.5)

and (Chart 5.3). Majority of the bones belonged to cattle and a near absence of

wild animals was noted71

.

The cattle was the main domesticated animal at Tarkhanewala-Dera, some

of which had traces of charring and cut marks on them suggesting butchering

and meat processing activity in the past. A few bones of sheep and goat were

also identified. The presence of bone of a young goat with cut marks indicated

69 Joglekar, P. P., M. Kumar and V.S. Shimde, (2008), A preliminary report of faunal remains from Madina,

Rohtak District, Haryana, Puratattava No. 38, pp. 222-28. 70Trivedi, P. K. and J. K. Patnaik, (2003-04), Tarkhanewala-Dera and Chak 86 (2003-04), Puratattava, No. 34,

pp. 30-34. 71Deshpande Mukherjee, A., (2009.), Report on the Animal bones from the Excavations at Tarkhanewala Dera

and Chak 86, Excavation at Tarkhanewala-Dera and Chak 86 (2003-04), P. K. Trivedi, MOASI, No. 99, pp. 243-

49.

174

its dietary use. The presence of turtle and fish remains has indicated the

additional exploitation of aquatic animal resources for food purpose at site72

.

Cattle28%

Bufallo9%

Goat4%

Sheep/Goat11%

Wild4%

Unidentified44%

Number of Bones From Tarkhanewala-Dera

Chart 5.3 Distribution of animals’ bones identified at Tarkhanewala-Dera73

.

In the Ghaggar region a number of sites were excavated but faunal

assemblage of only few site were studied in the following table a bird eye view

of the whole range of faunal remains is given.

Table 5.5 Faunal assemblage in Ghaggar region from Harappan sites.

Domestic and

Wild Animals

BPR MDN BRJ KLB BRN FRN TWR RGR

Bos indicus (Cattle) P P P P P P P P

Bubalus bubalis

(Buffalo) P P P P

Capra hircus (Goat) P P P P P P P

Ovis aries (Sheep) P P P P P P P

Sus domesticus (Pig) P P P D P

72Deshpande-Mukherjee, A., (2010), Op. Cit., pp. 112-118. 73Deshpande, A., P.K. Trivedi and J.K. Patnaik, (2008), Op. Cit., pp. 51-57.

175

Camelus dromedarius

(Camel) P

Canis familiaris (Dog) P P P P P

Equus caballus

(Horse) P P D D

Equus asinus (Ass) P P

Gallus gullus (Fowl)

P P

Elephas maximus

(Elephant) P

Bos sq. (Cattle) P P

Bublus arnee

(Buffalo) P

Borelaphus

tragocamelus (Nilgai) P P P P

Antilop cervicapra

(Black-Duck) P P

Axis axis (Chital) P P P P

Sus scrofa (Pig) P P P P

Equus hemionus

(Onager)

P

Cervusduvauceli

(Barasingha)

P P

Rhinoceros unicornis

(Rhinoceros)

P P

Canis lupus (wolf) P P

Note: P= present, D= doubtful

BAR-Bhagwanpura, MDN-Madina, BRJ-Burj, KLB- Kalibangan, BRN- Bhirrana, FRN-

Farmana, TWD-Tarkhanwala-Dera, RGR-Rakhigarhi.

Gujarat Region:

The agriculture and pastoralism are two important components of the

economy of this region. The cattle, sheep, goat, camel and buffalo are the main

domestic animals. Nomadic or semi-nomadic pastoral communities such as

176

Rabri and Bharvad make their living primarily out of breeding and/or herding of

these animals74

.

In Gujarat, Harappan archaeology began in 1934-35 when M.S. Vats

identified and excavated Rangpur. After that, extensive and intensive

exploration and excavations were carried out by various Archaeologists. Today

more than 500 Harappan sites are known from Gujarat alone75

. Some important

excavated sites are Lothal, Padri, Rojdri, Prabhas Patan, and Bagasra in

Saurashtra; Nagwada, Loteshwar and Zekda in northern Gujarat and Desalpur,

Surkotada, Kuntasi and Dholavira in Kachchh (Map5.4).

From these excavations a large number of faunal remains were collected

and studied. A brief survey of these studies is given following pages:

Map 5.4 Map showing the Harappan sites in Gujarat Region (after Chitalwala, 2004).

74Agrwal, D.P. and J.S. Kharakwal, (2000), Bronze and Iron Age in South Asia, pp. 49-52. 75Possehl, G.L., (1992), The Harappan Civilization in Gujarat: The Sorath and the Sindhi Harappans, The

Eastern Anthropologist, 45 (1-2), pp. 117-54.

177

Lothal:

The Lothal collection consists of four thousand eight hundred and sixty

identified animals’ remains represented by 31 species of animals which include

6 invertebrates and 25 vertebrates examined by the Bhola Nath76

(Table 5.9).

The majority of the remains are of domestic animals with the Bos indicus

being the most predominant. The finds of Bubalus bubalis are much less as

compared to the Bos indicus, thereby indicating that the Lothal inhabitants did

not maintain large herds of buffalos. The remains of sheep and goats are fairly

large in number. The finds of the domestic pig are also quite large in number. A

few remains of dog are also present. The remains of Lothal dog are much akin to

the pariah dog now found in India.

Some remains of the domestic fowl recorded at Lothal resemble the

modern domestic specimens. This evidently shows that those people were

maintaining poultry also. Two right upper molar of horse have also been found

at Lothal.

Some wild animal remains have also been recovered from Lothal such as

dear, jackal, Nilgai etc.

76

Nath, B., (1985), Animal Remains from Lothal, S.R. Rao (ed.), Lothal: A Harappan Port Twon 1955-62, Vol.

– II, pp. 636-650.

178

Chart 5.4 Identified domestic animal’s bones from Lothal

77.

Surkotada:

The site was excavated by J. P. Joshi who indentified three period

belonging to Harappan civilization78

.

The faunal remains from Surkotada belong to Period IA, IB and IC

ranging from 2315 B.C to 1700 B.C. The excavation has yielded representation

of twenty two species, of which 10 species are of domestic form and twelve are

ox wild form (Chart 5.5).

Indian humped cattle (Bos Indicus):- At Surkotada, the largest

concentration of cattle bones was found in Period IC which is more than 45

77Nath, B., (1985), Animal Remains from Lothal, S. R. Rao (ed.), Lothal: A Harappan Port Twon 1955-62, Vol.

– II, pp. 636-650.

78 Joshi, J. P., (1990), Excavation at Surkotada 1971-72 and Exploration in Kutch, MOASI, No. 87, New Delhi.

pp. 12-28.

179

percent of the total collection from the period. The population, which was nearly

40 percent in Period IA, decreased in Period IB with corresponding increase in

the population of sheep and goat. This is indicative of the fact that due to some

reasons may be drought conditions as indicated by some examples of

rarefaction of long bones which is caused by decrease in availability of good

quality of fodder) herds of cattle could not be looked after properly.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

P-IA

P-IB

P-IC

Chart 5.5 The percentage of domestic and wild animals’ bones from Surkotada Period-wise79.

The evidence that a large number of bones bearing cut and split marks as

well as charred areas belong to cattle reveals that in all the periods, cattle meat

formed a substantial part of the diet. Splintered bones were also preferred for

tool making. A closer examination of the third phalanx (found in good number)

of cattle shows the increase of podosis and exostosis towards upper levels

pointing to the increasing dependence of men on this animals for draft purposes.

The bony growth on third phalanx shows that the people were practicing a lot of

agriculture that required the use of cattle.

79Sharma, A. K., (1993), Animal Skeletal Remains in Excavation at Surkotada, 1975 76’ J. P. Joshi, MOASI,

No. 89.

180

Sheep and Goat (Ovis and Capra):- Sheep and Goat bones formed the next

largest number in the collection and occur in all the periods at the site. There is

50% increase from period IA to period IB and slight decrease in period IC. This

shows that with more cattle breeding, the raising of capra got less attention and

the importance of cattle, both as food and as work animal as compared to sheep

and goat, was realized.

The variety of the domestic sheep with very short horn occurring at

Surkotada have also been reported from Lothal, Rangpur, Kalibangan, Harappa,

Rupar etc. Capra hircus aegagrus, the domesticated goat also occurs at the

above mentioned sites. Both the species were domesticated locally.

Pig (Sus):- The largest population of pig was in Period IA (3.20 percent). It

suddenly declined to nearly half in Period IB and the again rose to 2.37 percent

in Period IC at the site. It was reared for food. The considerably lesser

percentage of this animal at the site as compared to cattle, sheep and goat shows

that this animal was not much preferred by the inhabitants of Surkotada and was

probably kept only by a section of the population80

.

Dog (Canis):- The presence of the dog at Surkotada was almost consistent

throughout the occupation of the site. It was being used as a watch animal,

particularly by the herdsmen. Size of the bones found indicates that the dogs of

Surkotada were of medium size81

.

The Domestic Fowl (Gallus):- At Surkotada, they have been found from all

levels but surprisingly their number gradually decreased from lower to upper

80 Sharma, A. K., (1990), Op. Cit. pp.79, PI. XCVI-4,6. 81Ibid, PI. XCVII- 4, 5, pp.79.

181

levels. This indicates that poultry farming was slowly going out of favour,

though it formed the third group of the food supply. Parts recovered are mostly

hummers, femur and scapula and bear cut and gnawing marks82

.

Camel (Camelus):- The camel bone recorded only in Period IB and IC is

represented by one fragment each. The very scarce occurrence of bones of this

animal at Surkotada probably indicates that it was not available in the area and

the lone animal was probably only a guest from the neighbouring Harappan site

in Rajasthan83

.

Elephant (Elephas):- Parts of only tusks were found from the uppermost level

at Surkotada. They were probably imported from neighboring area for making

ornaments. Similar is the case at Mohenjodaro, Lohal, and Kalibangan from

where only tusks of Elephas maximum Linn. was recovered. In Indian cultural

context, it is normal not to find skeletal remains of elephants at the sites as their

meat is never eaten and after death they are buried, away from the habitation84

.

Horse and Ass (Equus):- At Surkotada, from all the three periods quite a good

number of bones of horse85

and ass86

have been recovered. The parts recovered

are very distinctive bones: first, second and third phalanges and few vertebral

fragments.

The faunal material collected from different periods at Surkotada gives a

vivid picture of man-animal relationship. They also reflect the food habit of the

people. Recovery of the specimen animals, belonging to very few wild varieties

(Table 5.9), indicates that the surrounding area was not highly wooded. The 82Ibid, PI. XCIV-5, 6, 7, pp.80. 83Ibid, PI. XCIX, p.80. 84Sharma, A. K., (1990), Op. Cit., PI. XCVII-4, 5; PI. C, p.380. 85Ibid, PI. CI, CII, CIII – 1,2,5; CIV-1,5,6 86 Ibid, PI. CIII – 3,4,7,8; CIV -2,3,4,7

182

largest percentages of animal are those of cattle goat and sheep. From the nature

and size of the bones, they appear to belong to the pastoral culture.

Low percentage of wild animals’ points to limited animal hunting and it

was due to reliable plant food availability throughout the year. Normally,

primary subsistence dependence was on plant food regardless of increase in

animals, as long as the climatic conditions for agriculture operations were

favorable.

On the basis of animal species identified at Surkotada, it appears that the

terrain of the area was not much different from the present one, but the climatic

conditions were comparatively more favourable for thick vegetation and

agriculture around. But due to the marshy character of the land with tidal

marshes stretching well into the interiors, the quality of grass grown was very

inferior and generally not relished by cattle87

.

The collection of cattle could be broadly classified into three categories:-

1. Those animals which were either domesticated or were in process of

domestication: - cattle, sheep, goat, dog, ass, horse, camel and fowl.

2. Those animals that lived in the houses in the vicinity of the settlement:

dog, shrew, rat etc.

3. Wild animals including those that were hunted for food: - nilgai, antelope,

deer, hyena, wild bear, wolf, duck and fresh water fish.

The presence of large number of bones of young animals, like those of cattle,

sheep, and goat indicate that the people of Surkotada practiced domestication of

these animals from the very beginning.

87Sharma, A. K., (1990), Op. Cit., PI .XCVII-4, 5, p.383.

183

Rangpur:

Rangpur site is situated on the bank of river Bhadar (Sukhbander) in

district Surendernagar, Gujarat. The detail excavations were carried out by S.R.

Rao in 1953-56 and three different periods are noticed; Period I, representing the

microlithic culture (c. 3000 B.C); Period II has three sub phases: II A- Mature

Harappan (c.2000-1900B.C) II B- Late Harappan (c.1900-1700 B.C) and II C-

transitional phase of Harappa (c.1700-1500 B.C) and period III has been

assigned to 1500-1300 B.C88

.

The faunal remains from Rangpur have been studied by Bhola Nath. In

most cases, the remains are very fragile and fragmented in nature and as such 10

species were identified (Table 5.9). Nine fragments of charred bones were there

in total collection: seven of which belonged to Bos indicus (cattle), one to

Bubalus bubalis (buffalo) and one to the Sus scrofa (wild pig) (Chart 5.6) and

(Table 5.6). The bones bear definite chopping marks by sharp instruments on

them, which probably indicate that the inhabitants used the animals for food89

.

Percentage of domestic animals from Rangpur

Cattle

Sheep/Goat

Buffalo

Others

Chart 5.6 The percentage of domestic animals from Rangpur.

88Rao, S. R., (1979), Lothal a Harappan port town 1955-62, Vol.1, MOASI, No.78, p.45. 89Nath, B., (1962-63), Animal remains from Rangpur, S. R. Rao (ed.), Excavation at Rangpur and other

exploration in Gujrat, Ancient Indian, Nos. 18-19, pp. 153-160.

184

Table 5.6 Exploitation of animals in different cultural phase from Rangpur.

Sr.

No.

Species/ animal Period- II Period- III

II A II B II C

1 Canis familiaris (dog) P

2. Equss asinus (ass) P

3. Bos indicus (cattle) P P P P

4. Bubalus Bubalis (buffalo) P P P P

5. Capra hircus (goat) P P P P

6. Ovis aries (sheep) P P P P

7. Sus Scrofa (pig) P P P P

8. Chitra Indica (turtle) D P

9. Xancus pyrum (shankshell) P

10. Cervus duvauceli (Barasinga P

Note: P= present, D= doubtful

In total 1847 fragments of animal bones have been examined by Bhola

Nath. According to the examiner, the maximum bones belonged to domestic

animals. Cattle comprised 78 percent of the total remains, sheep and goat

together constituted 11 percent, pig accounted for 8 percent, buffalo 2 percent

and the other 1 percent belonged to the remaining species (Chart 5.6). Thus, it

appears that the most favorite animal domesticated by the Rangpur people was

the Bos indicus (cattle)90

.

Shikarpur:

The site Shikarpur is located at a village in district Kachchh,

Gujarat. The Harappan site was excavated by M.H. Raval during 1987-90.

According to the excavator, there are two cultures identified, Period I Early

Harappan and Period II belong to Mature Harappan.

90Nath, B., (1962-63), Op. Cit., p.155.

185

The faunal assemblage identified at the site has 47 species of animals

comprising 23 species of mammals, 3 species of birds, 2 species of reptiles, 5

type fish, 13 species of Molluscs and a single species of crustacean. The

domestic animals included cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, horse, pig and dog, while

wild buffalo, nilgai, chowsingha, blackbuck, gazelle, deer (sambar, chital,

muntjak and hog deer) wild pig, wild ass, jackal, hare and rhinoceros constituted

the wild species91

(Table 5.9).

The bones of domestic animals constituted more than 85 percent of the

total collection in both early Harappan (93.35 percent) and the mature Harappan

phase (87.33 percent)92

. In the Early Harappan phase, 77.48 percent of the bones

belonged to cattle and in the Mature Harappan phase this percentage rose to

77.84 percent. The percentage of buffalo bones in the Mature Harappan and

Early Harappan periods were 4.28 percent and 4.61 percent respectively. The

dog was represented only by 8 bones or 0.116 percent, and only in the Mature

Harappan period. Sheep and goat bones were found at Shikarpur, constituting

5.26 percent in the total collection. The horse was represented by only 9 bones

or 0.13 percent and found only in Mature Harappan period (Table 5.7). The

charred bones and cut marks on bones, which probably indicate that the

Harappan people at Shikarpur used animals for food. Seventeen bones tools

were also identified93

.

91Thomas, P. K. and others, (1995), Harappan subsistence pattern with special reference to Shikarpur, a

Harappan site in the Gujarat, Man and Environment, XX(2), pp. 33-41. 92Ibid, p. 34. 93Ibid, p.35.

186

Table 5.7 Exploitation of domestic animals in early and mature Harappan period from Shikarpur.

Domestic Animal Early Harappan Mature Harappan

Bos Indicus (Cattle) P P

Bubalus Bublis

(Buffalo

P P

Capra hircus (Goat) P P

Ovis aries (Sheep) P P

Sus domesticus (Pig) P P

Equus caballus

(Horse)

P P

Canis familiaris (Dog) P

Note: P= present, D= doubtful

Kuntasi:

The Harappan site at Kuntasi, is located almost at the boundary between

Kutch and Saurashtra, on the right bank of river Phulki, in the Rajkot district of

Gujarat. The excavations conducted here yielded two main periods of

occupation. Period I - Mature Harappan (C. 2200-1900 B.C.); and Period II-

Late Harappan (C. 1900-1700 B.C.) without any break in between94

.

Faunal material amounting more than 15,000 bones fragments were

collected from these cultural periods. A total of about 9 domestic and 23 wild

species of animals, belonging to mammals, reptiles and birds, were identified at

Kuntasi95

(Table 5.8). In Kuntasi cattle was the main domestic animal which

accounted for 59 percent of individual representation. Buffalo bones represent

about 5-10 percent in the total collection. Sheep and goat with 11 percent bones

were also identified at Kuntasi. Domestic and wild pigs were represented in the

94Dhavalikar, M. K. and others, (1996), Kuntansi: A Harappan Emporium on the West Cost, pp. 12-20. 95Thomas, P. K. and others, (1996), Faunal remains, M. K. Dhavalikar and others (eds), Op. Cit., pp. 297-322.

187

ratio of 2:1, Killed piglets probably belonged to the domestic species and their

dentitions have been found more in the collection. The representation of the

more meat bearing parts of the wild pigs in the habitation area suggests that the

killing site was located away from the habitation area and only such parts were

brought in the settlement96

.

A few dog and camel bones were found in the collection. Horse and

donkey were reported from the Mature and Late Harappan periods. The bones of

wild ass bore cut marks and their charring suggests the killing of these animals

for food purpose.

The ratio of bones of domestic to the wild animals was about 4:1. Among

the wild animals, the bones of nilgai were found maximum accounting for about

5.20 percent in the total count97

. Many of the animals’ bones show evidences of

cut marks, butchering marks and charring indicating human activity on them.

Table 5.8 Exploitation of animals in different cultural phases at Kuntasi.

Sr.

No.

Wild and Domestic Animals Periods

Mature Harappan Late Harappan

Domestic Animals Phase – A Phase-B Phase –C

1. Bos indicus (Cattle) P P P

2. Bubalus bubalis (Buffalo) P P P

3. Capra hircus (Goat) P P P

4. Ovis aries (Sheep) P P P

5. Sus domesticus (Pig) P P P

6. Camelus dromedarius (Camel) D

7. Canis familiaris (Dog) P

8. Equus caballus (Horse) P P

9. Equus asinus (Ass) P P

Wild Animals

1. Bos sq. (Cattle) P P

2. Bublus arnee (Buffalo) P

3. Borelaphus tragocamelus (Nilgai) P P P

4. Tetracerus quadricornis (?) (Chowsingha) P

5. Antilop cervicapra (Black-Duck) P P P

6. Gazella Bennetti; (Chinkara) P P P

96Ibid, p. 298. 97Ibid, p. 303.

188

7. Axis axis (Chital) P

8. Axis porcinus (?) (Hog deer) P

9. Cervus unicolor (Sambar) P P P

10. Cervus duvauceli (?) (Barasingha) P

11. Muntiacus muntjak (?) (Barking Deer) P P P

12. Sus scrofa (Pig) P P P

13. Canis lupus (?) (wolf) P

14. Felis chaus (?) (Jangal Cat) P

15. Presbytis entellus (?) (Common Langer) P

16. Equus hemionus (Onager) P P

17. Rhinoceros unicornis (Rhinoceros) P

18. Lepus nigricollis (Hare) P P

19. Pavo cristatus (Peacock) P

20. Crocodylus sq. (Crocodile) P

21. Turtle (Tortoise) P P P

22. Fish (Fish) P P P

23. Crab (Crab) P P

24. Molluscs (Shell) P P P

Note: P= present, D= doubtful

Khanpur:

The Khanpur site is situated on the bank of the dry river Machhu near the

village of same name in Rajkot district of Gujarat. The site represents two

chronological horizons: Late Harappan and Post Harappan. On the basis of the

shape of pottery, the former is assignable to Rangpur IIB and the later to

Rangpur IIC.

The bones were collected from both the above mentioned phases and

studied98

. In skeletal remains only 7 species have been identified from the site in

both wild and domestic animals like cattle, sheep, goat, pig, gazelle, turtle

(Chitra indica) and mollusca also (Table 5.9).

All primary domesticates are available at Khanpur. The only notable

exception is buffalo. Among the domesticated animals cattle and pig seem to

have been the principal item in the menu. The slaughter of young animals,

attested by bones bearing chopping marks, points in this direction. The find of

98Chitalwala, Y. M and P. K. Thomas, (1997-78), Faunal remains from Khanpur and their bearing on the culture,

economy and environment, Bulletin of the Deccan Collage Research Institute, Vol. 37, No.1-4, p.11.

189

the pig is interesting because it normally presuppose some king of marshy

conditions. The gazelle remains are important because today no deer species is

found in the open treeless landscape around the site99

.

Padri:

The site Padri is located in Bhavanagar district of Gujarat. The site has

revealed a twofold cultural sequence, i.e. Harappan Culture and Early Historic

period. Large quantities of animal remains were recovered from both cultural

phases. Here only Harappan phase has been discussed. The bones have been

identified in wild and domestic forms of animal species. Besides, a large number

of fish, carp and mollusks have been noticed. Cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat

(Table 5.9) in domestic animals have been noticed at Padri site100

.

Kanmer:

The Harappan site of Kanmer is situated close to the little Rann of

Kachchh in Kachchh district of Gujarat. The site is situated on the right bank of

a seasonal rivulet Aludawaro Vokro which passes to the north of the present

village of Kanmer. The cultural sequences were identified101

as Period I – Early

Harappan; Period-II Mature Harappan; Period III- Late Harappan; Period IV-

Early Historic and Period V Medieval.

A large number of species were identified from this site as of mammals,

birds and reptiles. Mostly, all species of domestic mammals have been identified

cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig, horse, ass, dog and cat (Table 5.9). The wild

99 Chitalwala, Y. M and P. K. Thomas, (1997-78), Faunal remains from Khanpur and their bearing on the

culture, economy and environment, Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute, Vol. 37, No. 1-4, p. 13. 100Thomas, P. K and P. P. Joglekar, (1993-94), A preliminary report on the faunal remains at Padri: A Harappan

site in Bhavanager District, Gujarat, Puratattava, No. 24, pp.35-39. 101Kharakwal, J. S. and others, (2011), Annual Report on Excavation at Kanmer 2007-08 and 2008-09, T.

Osada and A. Uesugi (eds.), Linguistic, Archaeology and the Human Past: Occasional Paper 10, pp.71-104.

190

animals have also cat, porcupine, hare and house rat. A number of bones

revealed the cut marks.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Cattle/Buffalo Sheep/Goat Others Domestic

Wilds

Mature Harappan

Late Harappan

Chart 5.7 Identified domestic animals’ bones from Kanmer (Period wise).

The Mature Harappan phase revealed the maximum number of charred

fragments. Some peculiar bone fragments charred at the anterior end only were

noticed in the mature Harappan phase102

.

Butchering and cutting marks have also been noticed from Early to Late

Harappan periods. Cutting and butchering marks are produced during various

stages of carcass utilization and a proper recording of these marks can throw

light on various aspects of food preparation and food processing activities103

.

The domestic animals contributed 87.15 percent, of which a major part (62.65

percent) comes from the cattle and buffalo, followed by goat and sheep (24

percent). The cattle bones were more than the buffalo bones in all the layers

102Goyal, P. and P. P. Joglekar, (2008), Report on the faunal remains recovered from Kanmer, Gujarat, during

the second field season (2006-07), T. Osada and A. Uesugi (eds), Linguistic, Archaeology and the Human Past:

Occasional Paper 5, pp. 25-43. 103Goyal, P. and P. P. Joglekar, (2011), Report on the faunal remains recovered from Kanmer, Guajarat, during

the third field season (2007-08), T. Oasada and A. Uesugi, (eds), Op. Cit., pp. 105-128.

191

belonging to the Mature Harappan phase (Chart 5.7). Similarly, the bones of

goats were more in number than those of sheep104

.

In general, the economy was mainly dependent on domestic animals, but

it was observed that exploitation of wild fauna was a bit more in the Late

Harappan phase.

Rojdi:

The site Rojdi is situated on the bank of river Bhadar. A detail excavation

was carried out under the supervision of G.L. Possehl.Three periods have been

identified from this site: Rojdi- A. 2500-2200 B.C.; Rojdi- B. 2200-2000 B.C.

and Rojdi- C. 2000-1700 B.C105

.

The excavation at Rajdi produced a large collection of mammal bones.

Most have been identified as that of domestic animals, i.e. humped cattle,

buffalo, goat, sheep, dog, pig and fowl and also some wild animal bones have

also been identified. In total assemblage, 75 to 80 percent bones were identified

to Bos indicus. Pig was represented by both wild and domesticated species. The

remaining 5 to 9 percent of the bones belonged to sheep and goats. The dog

family was represented by 2 to 4 percent of the total assemblage (Table 5.9).

A few mammalian species are represented in the Rojdi collection by

single fragments. For examples, the collection contains one first phalange of the

wild ass (Equus hemionus). There is one massive rib which appears to be of the

Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus). There is an enigmatic bone, definitely not

of a bovid, cervid or equid, which may be from the camel (Camelus

dromedaries)106

.

104Ibid, p. 115. 105Possehl, G. L. and M. H. Raval, (1989), Harappan Civilization and Rojdi, pp.12-21. 106 Kane, V. S., (1989), Animal Remains from Rojdi, G. L. Possehl and M. H. Raval, (eds.), Op, Cit., pp.182-84.

192

Nageshwar:

The Harappan site Nageshwar is located on the north eastern edge of

Bhimgaja Talav in Okhamandal taluka of Jamnagar district.

The faunal remains from Nageshwar site have been studied by D.R. Shah

and K.K. Bhan. Total 4800 bone fragments were recovered from the Nageshwar

excavation of phases A and B; the bones were in general, poorly preserved and

in highly fragmented condition. The fauna includes both wild and domestic

species. In phase A, 13 species were identified both as of wild and domestic

animals. Domesticate animals comprised Bos indicus (cattle) 49.87 percent,

Bubalus bubalis (buffalo) 11.43 percent, Ovis aries (sheep) and Capra hircus

(goat) 20 percent; Sus domesticus (pig) 0.52 percent and Canis familiaris (dog)

2 percent. The wild species constituted 18 percent bones in phase A107

. The

study of animal bone remains from Phase B revealed six more species which

were also identified. The collection comprised of domestic animals 63 percent

with cattle 34.10 percent, buffalo 3.24 percent, sheep and goat 24.10 percent,

pig 1.31 percent and dog 017 percent as its constituent. The wild species of

phase B were 24 percent recovered (Chart 5.8).

The wild animal bones represented 19 percent and nearly 24 percent in

phase A and B respectively, showing an increase of 5 percent in Phase B. It is,

however, of special interest that the cattle and buffalo bones show decrease of

15.88 percent and 8.19 percent respectively in phase B. This probably suggested

a change in emphasis from maintaining large animals like cattle and buffalo to

smaller animals like sheep and goat and more exploitation of wild animals108

.

107Shah, D. R. and K. K. Bhan, (1990), Faunal Remains, KTM, Hegde, K.K. Bhan, V.H. Sonawane, K.

Krishanan and D. R. Shah, , (eds.), Excavation at Nageshwar, Gujarat, pp. 145-147. 108Shah, D. R. and K. K. Bhan, (1990), Op. Cit., p.146.

193

Chart 5.8 Identified animal bones from Nageshwar (phase wise)

Some of the long bones which show cut marks from sharp implements

imply that these animals were butchered for food. A few of the bones reveal

teeth marks on them. Split bones can be attributed to either marrow extraction or

their use as a raw material for tool production. Charred bones in the assemblage

indicate that they were cooked in open fire. Besides food, animals were perhaps

exploited for other purpose like clothing, tools, weapons, traction, transport and

as pets.

Oriyo Timbo:

The Oriyo Timbo is situated 70 kms east of Rojdi, in Bhavanagar district

of Gujarat. During the excavations were recovered a number of important and

interesting things from Harappan levels109

.

109Rissman, P. C., (1985), The Oriyo test excavation and the end of the Harappan Traditions in Gujarat, J.

Schotsmans and M. Taddei (eds) South Asian Archaeology, 1983), pp. 345-55.

194

The excavation also yielded a significant quantity of animal bones which

Rissman analyzed110

. A total of 14,992 animal bones were recovered from Oriyo

excavation, of which 1,555 were identifiable to anatomical part alone and 1,201

were indentiable to both anatomical part and genus. The results of this analysis

indicated that both wild and domestic animals were identified at Oriyo site.

Cattle, sheep, goat, pig and buffalo were in domesticated form and some wild

animals were also identified. Charred bones have also been found at Oriyo

Timbo site.

Dholavira:

The site Dholavira, one of five largest cities of the Harappan civilization,

is situated on the isolated island of Khadir in the Great Rann of Kachchh in

Gujarat State of India, which has been excavated for several seasons by

Archaeological Survey of India under the direction of R.S. Bisht. Seven

cultural stages (I-VII) of the periods known as Early Harappan (stages I and

II), a long period of Mature Harappan (stages III, IV and V) and ending up in

a post Harappan (stages VI and VII) have been recognized by the

excavator111

.

The faunal assemblages from the 1990-92 excavations were studied by A.

Roy. He reported the presence of ungulates like cattle, sheep and goats, besides

horse and donkey. Non-mammalian fauna included fowl, fish, turtle, prawns and

lobsters112

. Further these bones were studied by Ajita Patel (approximately 9000

specimens from the 1995 season) and a preliminary report was published in

110Rissman, P. C and Y. M. Chitalwala, (1990), The Faunal Remains, Harappan Civilization and Oriyo Timbo,

pp. 11-126. 111Bisht, R. S., (1991), Dholavira: new horizons of the Indus civilization, Puratattava, No. 20, pp. 71-87. 112 Roy, A., (1993), A Preliminary Study on Faunal Remains of Dholavira 1990-92, (Unpublished) PGDA

Dissertation, Institute of Archaeology, Red Fort, Delhi.

195

South Asian Archaeology113

. The assemblages are dominated by the remains of

domestic animals especially cow, bull, water buffalo (the bovines: Bos and

Bubalus), sheep (Ovis), and goats (Capra). There is a considerable amount of

pig (Sus) representation as well, but it is not yet clear whether this was domestic

or wild. There are a few dog or jackal bones (Canis). Among the wild mammals,

the remains of gazelle (Gazella), blackbuck (Antilope), deer (Cervids), wild ass

(Equus hemionus), and hare (Lepus) have been identified (Table 5.9). The bones

of birds, fish and rodent, have also been documented in small number114

.

The study of Ajita Patel is of a much larger assemblage belonging to the

cultural stage III and IV (Mature Harappan) and V (subsequent period of

decline) from two sectors, the middle town and the Bailey (inside the citadel),

of the site. An important observation is the patterned distribution of bovine

(cattle and water buffalo) remains. For example, these remains constitute 74

percent of the identified assemblage from the middle town. This stands in sharp

contrast to the situation in the Bailey area with 51 percent of such remains.

There are differences in some other taxonomical combinations. For example,

Patel notices, a much higher proportion of wild fauna in the Bailey in stage III

and of some small bovids and pigs in stage IV, in comparison with the

corresponding stages in the middle town. This spatial pattern of relative

taxonomical abundance within Dholavira is highly significant and has been

interpreted in term of socio-economic difference between the inhabitants of

these two sectors115

.

Another interesting feature of the faunal evidence from Dholavira relates

to the temporal variability in relative taxonomical abundance, particularly

involving cattle and buffalo. At Bailey, the ratio of cattle of buffalo is almost 113Patel, A., (1997), The pastoral Economy of Dholavira: A first look at animals and urban life in third

millennium Kutch, R. Allchin and B. Allchin (eds.), South Asian Archaeology 1995pp. 101-13. 114Ibid, pp. 103-04. 115Ibid, p. 108.

196

constant 3:1 in stage III and IV, though a complete reverse in this ratio takes

place in stage V. In the middle town, buffalo remains are relatively rare in stage

III, but become more common in the subsequent stages. The above analysis of

Patel is of great importance and suggests: (1) beef eating was more common in

the middle town in comparison with that in Bailey and (ii) in course of the time,

buffalo was substituting cattle as a source of meat. The animal economy of

Dholavira was principally pastoral in nature involving the use of four principle

domestic animals: sheep, goat, cattle and buffalo.

Daimabad (Maharashtra):

As of now, Daimabad happens to be the southernmost site

associated with the Harappan Culture. Though the relevant, Eecavated remains

do not represent the Mature Phase. It is situated on the left bank of the Pravara, a

tributary of the Godavari in Ahemdnagar District of Maharashtra.

This site was first excavated by M.N. Deshpande and second time by S.A.

Sali between 1976-79 and five periods of occupation at Daimbad were assigned

as: Phase I Savalda Culture C. 2200-2000 BC; Phase II Late Harappan Culture

C. 2000-1600 B.C.; Phase III Daimabad Culture C. 1800-1600 B.C; Phase IV

Malwa Culture C. 1600-1400 B.C and Phase V Jorwe Culture C. 1400-1000

B.C116

.

Here, only Phase II, the faunal remains of which belong to Late Harappan

period has been discussed. These remains were studied by G.L. Badam117

. Only

five domestic animals i.e. cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep and domestic cat have been

identified from Late Harappan (Phase II) at Daimabad (Table 5.9).

116Sali, S. A., (1986), Daimabad 1976-79, pp. 117Badam, G. L., (1986), Preliminary report on the faunal remains from Chalcolithic Daimabad, Maharashtra,

pp. 93-100.

197

Gujarat region is one of the most extensively explored region and the

number of excavated site is also large. Faunal remains from most of the sites

were studied and are available for further studies. In the following chart a

comparative picture of animal represented from the excavated sites in given.

Table 5.9 Faunal assemblage in Gujarat Region from Harappan sites

Wild and

Domestic

Animals

LTL SRD RNR SIR KNS KNR PDR KMR RJD NGR OTB DLR MLN BBT DBD

Domestic

Animals

Bos indicus

(Cattle) P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P

Bubalus

bubalis

(Buffalo)

P P P P P P P P P P P P P

Capra hircus

(Goat) P P P P P P P P P P P P P P

Ovis aries

(Sheep) P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P

Sus

domesticus

(Pig)

P P P P P P P P P P P D P

Camelus

dromedarius

(Camel)

P D D

Canis

familiaris

(Dog)

P P P P P P P P P P

Equus

caballus

(Horse)

P P P P P D P

Equus asinus

(Ass)

P P P P P D

Elelphas

maximus

(Elephant)

P P P D

Gallus gallus

(Fowl) P P P P P

Wild

animals

Bos sq.

(Cattle) P P

Bublus arnee

(Buffalo) P P P

Boselaphus

tragocamelus

(Nilgai)

P P P P P P P P P

198

Tetracerus

quadricornis

(?)

(Chowsingha)

P P P D P

Antilop

cervicapra

(Black-Duck)

P P P P D P D D P

Gazella

Bennetti

(Chinkara)

P P P D P D P P

Axis axis

(Chital) P P P P P P P P P

Axis porcinus

(?)(Hog deer) P P P P P

Cervus

unicolor

(Sambar)

P P P P D D

Cervus

duvauceli (?)

(Barasingha)

D D P

Muntiacus

muntjak (?)

(Barking

Deer)

P P P

Sus scrofa

(Pig) P P P P P P D P P

Canis lupus

(?) (wolf) P D P P

Felis chaus (?)

(Jangal Cat) D P D

Equus

hemionus

(Onager)

P P P P P P

Rhinoceros

unicornis

(Rhinoceros)

P P P P D

Lepus

nigricollis

(Hare)

P P P P P P P P P P P

Canis Aureus P P P P P P

Note: P= present, D= doubtful

LTL=Lothal, SRD-Surkotada, RNR-Rangpur, SIR-Shikarpur, KNS-Kuntasi, KNR- Khanpur, PDR-

Padri, KMR-Kanmer, RJD-Rojdi, NGR-Nageshwer, OTB-Oriyo Timbo, DLR-Dholavira, MLN-

Malvan, BBT-Babarkot, DBD-Daimabad.

199

Upper Ganga-Yamuna Doab Region:

It is known as one of the major attraction areas for Late Harappan

settlements and slightly Mature Harappan civilization. Presently, it is the

western part of modern Uttar Pradesh which is watered by the Yamuna river

system and as such it is mainly comprised of the region circumscribed by

Hindon, Kali Nadi and many other smaller tributaries of the Yamuna river

system. But the Harappan inhabitants did not venture across the Ganges to the

east. Although there is one Early Harappan site at Nawanbans, just east of the

Yamuna in Saharanpur District, yet the process had begun in an earlier era118

.

Sites like Hulas, Alamgirpur, Mandoli, Bhorgarh (Map 5.5), etc. which

have been excavated in the past have shown affinity with the Harappan

civilization and revealed Late Harappan form. In addition to the Late Harappan

sites, this region also hosts a large number of sites where the Ochre coloured

pottery is found. It is in this regional setting that a most important Late

Harappan site at Sanauli was excavated by D.V. Sharma119

.

118Possehl, G. L., (1999), Op. cit., p. 358. 119Sharma, D.V. and others, (2006), Excavation at Sanauli 2005-06: A Harappan necropolis in the Upper Ganga-

Yamuna Doab, Puratattava No.36, pp.66-79.

200

Map 5.5 Map showing Harappan sites in Ganga- Yamuna Doab (after Tewari, 2004)

Alamgirpur:

Alamgirpur, a small Harappan site, was discovered in Meerut district in

1959. It was the first Harappan site to have been found into the Ganga-Yamuna

Doab. Here, period I belong to a late stage of Harappan Culture and the other

period belong to Painted Grey Ware and later cultures.

201

The remains from the site have been studied By Bhola Nath and M. K.

Biswas120

and belong to the Harapppan Culture (C. 2500 B.C to 1500 B.C). In

most cases, animal remains from Alamgirpur are very fragile and fragmentary in

nature. The organic materials of the bones have disappeared as in the case of the

Mohenjodaro, and Harappa. Most of the bones including the long bones such as

hummers, femur, radius and tibia are fragmentary in nature and hence,

unsuitable for measurements.

Only 11 species are represented in the Alamgirpur collection. As

compared to Mohenjodaro and Harappa, this number is small which is evidently

due to the limited extent of the excavation. Altogether the number of species

represented is 11. Amongst them domesticated animals are dog, zebu or cattle,

buffalo, goat, sheep and pig (Table 5.10).

A few bones of Bos indicus bear definite chopping marks thereby

showing that the inhabitants probably used this animal as food. A few charred

bones of Bos indicus , Bubalus bubalis, capra hircus aegargus Erxl. Ovis vigei

Blyth, Sus cristatus Wagner has also been recorded.

The great frequency with which the remains of Bos indicus have been met

with during the excavation of the site as compared with the finds of other

animals indicates that the inhabitants probably used to maintain large herds of

these animals. Out of 176 bones examined 52 fragments are charred and a few

bear definite chopping marks by sharp instruments121

.

120 Nath, B. and M. K. Biswas, (1969 ), Animal remains from Alamgirpur, Indian Museum Bulletin, Vol. 4, No.

1, pp. 43-52. 121Ibib, pp. 44-47.

202

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

Identified Bones From Alamgirpur

Identified Bones From Alamgirpur

Chart 5.9 Distribution of bones identified from Alamgirpur.

The wild animals represented are cervus duvauceli civ.(Barasinga or

Swamp deer) and Axis axis Erxl. (Chital). One reptilian animal Chitra Indica

Gray (The soft-shelled River Turtle) is found. Two species of Molluscan shells,

i.e. Viviporus bengalensis (Pond snail) and Parreyssia favidens (Fresh water

Mussed) have also been recorded from Harappan levels122

.

A total number of 296 bone fragments were studied by Bhola Nath and

M. K. Biswas from the Harappan levels (Chart 5.9).

Hulas:

The site Hulas, also in the Upper Ganga-Yamuna Doab, was excavated by

K.N. Dikshit123

. Like Alamgirpur, it is also a Late Harappan site. It did yield a

sealing with some Harappan characters but no animal figure.

122 Nath, B. and M. K. Biswas, (1969 ), Animal remains from Alamgirpur, Indian Museum Bulletin, Vol. 4, No.

1, pp. 51-52. 123Dikshit, K. N., (1982), Hulas and Late Harappan Complex in Western Uttar Pradesh, G. L. Possehl (ed.),

Harappan Civilization-A Contemporary Prespective, pp. 339-351; (1971), Harappa Culture in Western Uttar

Pradesh in Bulletin of National Museum 2, pp. 21-38;

203

Table: 5.10 Faunal assemblage from Harappan sites in Ganga-Yamuna Doab124

.

Domestic and Wild Animals Alamgirpur Hulas

Bos indicus linn (Cattle) P P

Bubalus bubalis linn (Buffalo) P D

Capra hircus (Goat) P P

Ovis aries (Sheep) P P

Sus domesticus (Pig) P

Canis familiaris (Dog) P

Viviparus bengalensis (Pound Snail) P

Parreyssia favidens (Fresh water

Mussed)

P P

Chitra indica grey (River Turtle) P P

Cervus duvauceli Cuv. (Barasinga) P

Axis axis Erxl. (Chital) P P

Note: P= present, D= doubtful

A careful study of the data collection in pursuit of the subject matter of

this chapter leads to the first and the foremost conclusion that many more

number of animal were known to the peoples of the Harappan culture than the

number of animal appearing on their seals sealings and other artifacts. The

Harappan people did not try to catalogue their birds and animals on their seal,

sealing and artifacts. To quote an instance cow was very much, a constituent of

their herd and it did not find place on their seals and artifacts. The

archaeologically recovered remains of animals have made the list of animals

domestic and wild; more elaborate and added to information about the Harappan

culture hitherto inferred from other sources and evidences.

124Nath, B. and M. K. Biswas, (1969 ), Op. Cit., pp. 51-53.

204

Presence of both domesticated and wild animals is further meditative of

the fact that food production and domestication of animal went simultaneously

and it was a local phenomenon not that came to sub-continent by diffusion from

outside.

The Harappan culture was spread over a vast area, from the boarders of

the Baluchistan to the deserts of Rajasthan and from the Himalayan foot hills to

the northern tip of Maharashtra and the animals remains of the predominantly

cattle (bos indicus) followed by sheep and goat establish the fact that peoples of

the Harappan were cattle keepers on grand scale. It further conforms the

proposal that though essentially a urban and a city culture, Harappan life was

extensively supported by agriculture, animal husbandry and commerce and the

animals of civilization were, source of host of products from food to traction and

from transportation of goods to supplier of valuable material like fiber, leather,

sinew, bones and horns.

Archaeologically recovered faunal remains throw light on the ecological

changes that took place in different regions of the civilizations. Many local

animals including elephants, tiger, rhinoceros, buffalo, antelope and gharial

have been found represented on seals and sealings so rapidly that they must have

a significant part of peoples diet.

It suggests that ecology in the region changed dramatically over the

period and the region which was covered with dense jungle habitant-able by

exotic animals became inhabitable for them.

Analysis of faunal remains also reflects the dietary habits of the peoples

of the Harappan culture. Cut marks on bones of animals and slaughtering of

young animals attested by bones leaves no idea of doubt that Harappan peoples

were meat eaters. The age of teeth of a few slaughtered animals reveal that they

205

were killed before they were two years old and from this a safe conclusion can

be drawn that the peoples of area relished the meat of young animal as

compared to the flesh of mature and old animals. The peoples of the Harappans

culture were great fish lover. Various rivers flowed through the Harappan region

were teemed with various species and they caught and ate them. Large fish

vertebrae found at Kutch sites indicates that ate considerable quantity of

shellfish and then turn fish shells into bangles, beads, ladles, rings and

figurines’.

The Harappan peoples had great love for their animals especially the

cattle it is evident from the fact that cattle out number all other species followed

by goat and sheep and as such the remains of cattle constitute the major portion

of the faunal assemblage of the period. Their love for bull rose the level of

revere as, probably apart from utility the bull for them was a symbol of fertility

and this obsession for fertility was reflected in their venerate of sacred animal

especially bulls.

On the basis of animals recovered from various sites covering the entire

spam of Harappan culture, it can be safely stated that peoples of Harappan

culture highly dependent on their animals and hence loved them and adored

them.

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