History · Ch 1 — Bricks, Beads and Bones — The Harappan Civilisation
Classifying finds
1.1
Classifying finds
Classification of Artefacts
Recovering artefacts is only the first step. Archaeologists must then classify them to understand the Harappan civilisation. Classification is done using two main principles:
- By Material: The simplest method. Artefacts are grouped by what they are made of: stone, clay, metal, bone, ivory, etc.
- By Function: This is more complex. Archaeologists must decide if an object was a tool, an ornament, both, or used for rituals.
Determining Function
To figure out what an artefact was used for, archaeologists use several clues:
- Resemblance to modern objects: A bead looks like a bead today, a quern (grinding stone) looks like one, and a stone blade looks like a blade.
- Context of discovery: Where was the object found? In a house? A drain? A grave? A kiln? The location gives strong hints about its use.
- Indirect evidence: When direct evidence is missing, archaeologists rely on other clues. For example, to understand clothing, they study cotton traces at sites and look at depictions in sculptures.