Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Glazed Steatite and Faience Technology at Harappa, Pakistan (>3700–1900 BCE): Technological and Experimental Studies of Production and Variation

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Ancient Glass of South Asia

Abstract

Excavations at the site of Harappa, Pakistan, have revealed important archaeological evidence for the development of glazed steatite and faience production in the Indus Tradition. This paper will focus on the discoveries of glazed steatite and faience slag from the Ravi Phase occupations (>3700–2800 BCE) and the development of more complex glazing and faience technologies during the subsequent Kot Diji Phase (2800–2600 BCE). The main focus will be on the diverse range of glazed steatite and faience production during the Harappa Phase (2600–1900 BCE). During the Late Harappa Phase (1900–1700 BCE) at the site, there is evidence for continued production of both glazed steatite and faience. The chemical composition and technology of archaeological examples are compared with experimental replicas to better understand the possible stages of production and recipes used to make both glazes and faience. The implications of Harappan glazing and faience for later developments of glass are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmed, Z., Faisal, M., Abbasi, T., Malik, H., Rasool, W., Shah, S. A., & Rafique, F. (2018). Geological Field Report on Kirana Hills, Sargodha, Pakistan. Department of Earth and Environment Sciences, Bahria University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allchin, F. R., Allchin, B., Durrani, F. A., & Khan, M. F. (Eds.). (1986). Lewan and the Bannu Basin. British Archaeological Reports.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allchin, F. R., & Knox, J. R. (1981). Preliminary report on the excavation at Tarakai Qila. In H. Härtel (Ed.), South Asian Archaeology, 1979 (pp. 245–250). Dietrich Reimer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barthélemy De Saizieu, B. (2003). Les Parures de Mehrgarh: Perles et Pendentifs du Néolithique Préceramique à La Période Pré-Indus: Fouilles 1974–1985. Editions Recherche sur les Civilisations.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barthélemy De Saizieu, B., & Bouquillon, A. (1994). Steatite working at Mehrgarh during the neolithic and chalcolithic periods: quantitative distribution, characterization of material and manufacturing process. In A. Parpola & P. Koskikallio (Eds.), South Asian Archaeology, 1993 (pp. 47–60). Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barthélemy De Saizieu, B., & Bouquillon, A. (2000). Émergence et Évolution des Matériaux Vitrifiés dans la Région de l’Indus du 5e au 3e Millénaire (Merhgarh-Nausharo). Paléorient, 26, 93–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basa, K. K. (1992). Early glass beads in India. South Asian Studies, 8, 91–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, H. (1940). Chapter XV. Part 1. Report on Selected Beads from Harappa. In M. S. Vats (Ed.) Excavations at Harappa: Being an account of archaeological excavations at harappa carried out between the years of 1920–21 and 1933–34 (pp. 392–431). Government of India Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, H. C. (1928). Classification and nomenclature of beads and pendants. Archaeologia, 77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, H. C. (1934). The use of the microscope in the study of ancient beads. Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society LIV, 186–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belcher, W. R. (1998). Fish exploitation of the Baluchistan and Indus valley tradition: An ethnoarchaeological approach to the study of fish remains. PhD Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belcher, W. R. (2000). Marine subsistence of the Indus valley tradition: Fish remains from Balakot and Allahdino (Pakistan). In M. Taddei & G. De Marco (Eds.), South Asian Archaeology 1997 (pp. 3–16). Is. I. A. O.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhan, K. K., Sonawane, V. H., Ajithprasad, P., & Prathapchandran, S. (2005). A Harappan trading and craft production centre at Gola Dhoro (Bagasra). Antiquity, 79, 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouquillon, A., & Barthélémy De Saizieu, B. (1994). Steatite working at Mehrgarh during the Neolithic and chalcolithic periods: quantitative distribution, characterization of material and manufacturing processes. In A. Parpola & P. Koskikallio (Eds.), South Asian Archaeology 1993 (pp. 47–59). Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouquillon, A., Barthélémy De Saizieu, B. (1995). Découverte d'un Nouveau Matériau dans les Parures de la Période Pré-Indus de Mehrgarh (Balochistan): La “Faïence” de Stéatite, Technè 2, Autoportrait d'un Laboratoire, Le Laboratoire de Recherche des Musées de France, 50–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouquillon, A., Barthélémy De Saizieu, B., & Duval, A. (1995). Glazed steatite beads from Mehrgarh and Nausharo (Pakistani Balochistan). Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, 352, 527–538.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chase, B., Ajithprasad, P., Rajesh, S. V., Patel, A., & Sharma, B. (2014). Materializing Harappan identities: Unity and diversity in the borderlands of the Indus civilization. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 35, 63–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chase, B., Ajithprasad, P., & Sasidharan Vasantha, R. (2016). The Identification of diversity: Material cultures and social practice in Harappan Gujarat. In V. Widorn, U. Franke, & P. Latschenberger (Eds.), South Asian archaeology and art: Contextualizing material culture in south and central Asia in pre-modern times (pp. 111–124). Brepols Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, S. R. (2007). The social lives of figurines: Recontextualizing the third millennium BC terracotta figurines from Harappa (Pakistan). PhD Thesis. Harvard University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, S. R., & Kenoyer, J. M. (2017). South Asia – Indus Civilization. In T. Insoll (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of prehistoric Figurines (pp. 493–519). Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dales, G. F. (1991). Some Specialized Ceramic Studies at Harappa. In R. H. Meadow (Ed.), Harappa excavations 1986–1990 (pp. 61–70). Prehistory Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dales, G. F., & Kenoyer, J. M. (1989). Excavation at Harappa—1988. Pakistan Archaeology, 24, 68–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dales, G. F., & Kenoyer, J. M. (1991). Summaries of five seasons of research at Harappa (District Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan) 1986–1990. In R. H. Meadow (Ed.), Harappa excavations 1986–1990 (pp. 185–262). Prehistory Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dales, G. F., & Kenoyer, J. M. (1993). The Harappa Project 1986–1989: New investigation at an Ancient Indus City. In G. L. Possehl (Ed.), Harappan Civilization: A Recent Perspective (pp. 469–520). Oxford & IBH Co., Pvt. Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dani, A. H. (1970–71). Excavations in the Gomal Valley, Ancient Pakistan 5, 1–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, M. (2016). Stone tools as indicators of socio-economic variability at Harappa, Pakistan. In V. Widorn, U. Franke, & P. Latschenberger (Eds.), South Asian Archaeology and Art: contextualizing material culture in South and Central Asia in pre-modern times (pp. 51–66). Brepols Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhavalikar, M. K. (1993). Harappans in Saurashtra: The mercantile enterprise as seen from recent excavation of Kuntasi. In G. L. Possehl (Ed.), Harappan civilization: A recent perspective (pp. 555–568). Oxford & IBH Co., Pvt. Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhavalikar, M. K., Raval, M. R., & Chitalwala, Y. M. (1996). Kuntasi: A Harappan emporium on west coast. Deccan College Post-Graduate & Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Didier, A. (2017). Nouvelles Recherches sur les Débuts de la Civilisation De l’Indus au Pakistan. Les Fouilles De Chanhu-Daro (Sindh). Par Mme Aurore Didier, Académie Des Inscriptions & Belles-Lettres, 2, 969–1002.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durrani, F. A., Ali, I., & Erdosy, G. (1995a). The Beads of Rehman Dheri. Ancient Pakistan, 10, 15–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durrani, F. A., Ali, I., & Erdosy, G. (1995b). Seals and Inscribed Sherds of Rehman Dheri. Ancient Pakistan, 10, 198–233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dussubieux, L., Robertshaw, P., & Glascock, M. D. (2009). LA-ICP-MS analysis of African glass beads: Laboratory inter-comparison with an emphasis on the impact of corrosion on data interpretation. International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 284, 152–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Good, I., Kenoyer, J. M., & Meadow, R. H. (2009). New evidence for early silk in the Indus civilization. Archaeometry, 51, 457–466.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Good, I., Kenoyer, J. M., & Meadow, R. H. (2011). A Reply to Ji-Huan He. Archaeometry, 53, 1257–1258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halfpenny, R., & Mazzucchelli, R. H. (1999). Regional multi-element drainage geochemistry in the Himalayan Mountains, Northern Pakistan. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 67, 223–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hegde, K. T. M., Karanth, R. V., & Sychanthavong, S. P. (1982). On the composition and technology of Harappan microbeads. In G. L. Possehl (Ed.), Harappan civilization (pp. 239–244). Oxford and IBH Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, B. C. (2019). Indus tradition copper and bronze metallurgy: A model from Harappa. PhD Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, B. C., & Miller, H.M.-L. (2009). Production and consumption of copper-base metals in the Indus civilization. Journal of World Prehistory, 22, 237–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jamison, G. M. (2017). The organization of Indus unicorn seal production: A diachronic comparative study of style, skill, and sociopolitical organization. PhD Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarrige, C. (2008). The figurines of the first farmers at Mehrgarh and Their Offshoots. Pragdhara, 18, 155–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarrige, C., Jarrige, J.-F., Meadow, R. H., Quivron, G. (Eds.), (1995). Mehrgarh field reports 1975 to 1985—from the Neolithic to the Indus Civilization. Dept. of Culture and Tourism, Govt. of Sindh and the French Foreign Ministry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, J. P., & Parpola, A. (1987). Corpus of Indus seals and inscriptions. Collections in India. Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanungo, A. K., & Trivedi, M. (2019). Meeting report: Ancient Indian glass. Current Science, 117(3), 355–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanungo, A. K. (2010). Antiquity of Glass in India: Excavations at Kopia. In V. Tripathi & P. Upadhyay (Eds.), Archaeology of the Ganga Basin: Paradigm Shift (pp. 451–476). Sharada Publishing House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (1989). Socio-economic structures of the Indus civilization as reflected in specialized crafts and the question of ritual segregation, In J. M. Kenoyer (Ed.),Old problems and new perspectives in the archaeology of South Asia (pp. 183–192). Dept. of Anthropology, U.W.-Madison.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (1992a). Harappan craft specialization and the question of Urban segregation and stratification. Eastern Anthropologist, 45, 39–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (1992b). Ornament styles of the Indus Tradition: Evidence from recent excavations at Harappa. Pakistan, Paléorient, 17, 79–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (1993). Excavations on Mound E, Harappa: a systematic approach to the study of Indus Urbanism. In A. J. Gail & G. J. R. Mevissen (Eds.), South Asian Archaeology, 1991 (pp. 165–194). F.S. Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (1994a). Experimental studies of Indus valley technology at Harappa. In A. Parpola & P. Koskikallio (Eds.), South Asian Archaeology, 1993 (pp. 245–262). Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (1994). Faience ornaments of Harappa and the Indus civilization. Ornament, 17(35–39), 95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (1997). Trade and technology of the Indus Valley: New insights from Harappa. Pakistan, World Archaeology, 29, 262–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (1998). Ancient cities of the Indus Valley civilization. Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (2000). Wealth and socio-economic hierarchies of the Indus Valley civilization. In J. Richards & M. Van Buren (Eds.), Order, legitimacy and Wealth in early states (pp. 90–112). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (2005a). Bead Technologies at Harappa, 3300–1900 BC: A Comparison of Tools, Techniques and Finished Beads from the Ravi to the Late Harappan Period. In C. Jarrige & V. Lefèvre (Eds.), South Asian archaeology, 2001 (pp. 157–170). CNRS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (2005b). Culture change during the late harappan period at Harappa: New insights on Vedic Aryan issues. In E. F. Bryant & L. L. Patton (Eds.), The Aryan Invasion: Evidence, Politics, History (pp. 21–49). Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (2005). Steatite and Faience manufacturing at Harappa: new evidence from mound E excavations 2000–2001. Museum Journal: National Museum of Pakistan, Karachi, 3–4, 43–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (2006). The origin, context and function of the Indus script: Recent insights from Harappa. In T. Osada & N. Hase (Eds.), Proceedings of the pre-symposium and the 7th Esca Harvard-Kyoto roundtable (pp. 9–27). Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, RIHN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (2012). Households and neighborhoods of the Indus tradition: An overview. In B. J. Parker & C. P. Foster (Eds.), New perspectives in Household archaeology (pp. 373–406). Eisenbrauns.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (2017a). Stone beads of the Indus Tradition: New perspectives on Harappan bead typology, technology and documentation. In A. K. Kanungo (Ed.), Stone beads of South and Southeast Asia: Archaeology, ethnography and global connections (pp. 149–164). Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar / Aryan Books International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (2017b). Textiles and trade in south asia during the proto-historic and early historic period. In B. Hildebrandt (Ed.), Silk, trade and exchange along the silk roads between Rome and China in Antiquity (pp. 9–33). Oxbow Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M. (2017c). Using SEM to study stone bead technology. In A. K. Kanungo (Ed.), Stone beads of south and Southeast Asia: Archaeology, ethnography and global connections (pp. 405–433). Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar/Aryan Books International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M., & Meadow, R. H. (2000). The ravi phase: A new cultural manifestation at Harappa. In M. Taddei & G. De Marco (Eds.), South Asian Archaeology, 1997 (pp. 55–76). Istituto Italiano per l’Africa e l’Oriente/Istituto Universitario Orientale.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M., & Meadow, R. H. (2016). Excavations at Harappa: 1986–2010: New insights on the Indus civilization and Harappan burial traditions. In G. R. Schug & S. R. Walimbe (Eds.), The companion to the South Asian Past (pp. 145–168). Wiley.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M., & Miller, H.M.-L. (1999). Metal technologies of the Indus Valley tradition in Pakistan and Western India. In V. C. Pigott (Ed.), The emergence and development of metallurgy (pp. 107–151). University Museum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenoyer, J. M., & Miller, H.M.-L. (2007). Multiple crafts and socio-economic associations in the Indus Civilization: perspectives on continuity and change from Harappa, Pakistan. In I. Shimada (Ed.), Rethinking craft production: The nature of producers and multi-craft organization (pp. 152–183). University of Utah Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khatri, J. S., & M. Acharya (1997). Kunal: The Earliest Pre-Harappan Settlement. In J. P. Joshi (Ed.), Facets of Indian civilization recent perspectives-essays in Honor of B.B. Lal (pp. 87–91). Aryan Books International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khatri, J. S., & Acharya, M. (2005). Kunal excavations: new light on the origin of the Harappan Civilization. In A. Agrawal (Ed.), In Search of Vedic Harappan Relationship (pp. 104–117). Aryan Books International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konosukawa, A. (2013). Diversity of Harappan civilization: A case study of the Ghaggar Basin (with Special Reference to Seals). PhD Thesis. Deccan College Post-Graduate & Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law, R. W. (2002). Potential steatite sources for the Indus civilization. In M. A. Halim (Ed.), Indus valley civilization: Collection of papers presented in the international colloquium on Indus Valley civilization at Islamabad (6th–8th April 2001) (pp. 158–69). Ministry of Minorities, Culture, Sports, Tourism, & and Youth Affairs, Government of Pakistan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law, R. W. (2006). Moving mountains: The trade and transport of rocks and minerals within the greater Indus Valley Region. In E. C. Robertson, J. D. Seibert, D. C. Fernandez, & M. U. Zender (Eds.), Spatial and spatial analysis in archaeology (pp. 301–313). University of Calgary Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Law, R. W. (2011a). Inter-regional Interaction and Urbanism in the Ancient Indus Valley: A geologic provenience study of Harappa's rock and mineral assemblage. Manohar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law, R. W. (2011b). Inter-regional interaction and Urbanism in the Ancient Indus Valley: A geologic provenience study of Harappa's rock and mineral assemblage, Occasional Paper 11. Kyoto: Research Institute for Humanity and Nature.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law, R. W. (2013a). The important stone and metal resources of Gujarat during the Harappan period. Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, 1, 319–343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law, R. W. (2013b). Initial geologic provenience studies of stone and metal artefacts from Rakhigarhi, Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology, 2, 74–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law, R. W. (2014). Evaluating potential lapis lazuli sources for ancient South Asia using Sulfur Isotope analysis. In C. C. Lamberg-Karlovsky, B. Genito, & B. Cerasetti (Eds.), My Life is Like the Summer Rose: Maurizio Tosi E L’archeologia Come Modo Di Vita (pp. 419–429). Arcaeopress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law, R. W. (2018). The art of the Harappan microbead—revisited. In D. Frenez, G. Jamison, R. Law, M. Vidale, & R. H. Meadow (Eds.), Walking with the Unicorn: Social organization and material culture in Ancient South Asia. Jonathan Mark Kenoyer Felicitation Volume (pp. 327–342). Archaeopress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law, R. W., Carter, A., Bhan, K., Malik, A., & Glascock, M. D. (2013). INAA of agate sources and artifacts from the Indus, Helmand, and Thailand regions. In D. Frenez & M. Tosi (Eds.), South Asian archaeology, 2007 (pp. 177–184). Archaeopress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludvik, G. E. (2018). Hard stone beads and socio-political interaction in the intermediate bronze age southern Levant, ca. 2500–2000 BCE. PhD Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackay, E. J. H. (1931). Ch. XXVIII. Ivory, shell, faience, and other objects of technical interest. In J. H. Marshall (Ed.), Mohenjo-Daro and the Indus civilization: Being an official account of archaeological excavations at Mohenjo-Daro carried out by the government of India between the Years 1922 and 1927 (pp. 562–588) A. Probsthain.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackay, E. J. H. (1937). Bead making in ancient Sind. Journal of the American Oriental Society, 57, 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mackay, E. J. H. (1938). Excavations at Chanhudaro by the American school of Indic and Iranian studies and the Museum of fine arts. Boston, Smithsonian Report , 1937, 469–478.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackay, E. J. H. (1938b). Further excavations at Mohenjo-daro: Being an official account of archaeological excavations at Mohenjo-Daro carried out by the Government of India between the years 1927 and 1931. Government of India.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackay, E. J. H. (1943). Chanhudaro excavations 1935–36. American Oriental Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mallah, Q., & Rajput Shafiq, T. (2016). Exceptional objects from Lakhan-Jo-Daro. Frontier Archaeology, 10–14, 196–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mallah, Q. H. (2008). Recent archaeological discoveries in Sindh, Pakistan. In T. Osada & A. Uesugi (Eds.), Linguistics, archaeology and the human past, occasional paper 3 (pp. 27–76). RIHN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, J. H. (1931). Mohenjo-Daro and the Indus civilization: Being an official account of archaeological excavations at Mohenjo-Daro Carried out by the Government of India between the Years 1922 and 1927. A. Probsthain.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, B., & Vandiver, P. B. (1990). Ancient high-strength ceramics: Fritted faience bangle manufacture at Harappa (Pakistan), ca. 2300–1800 B.C. In P. B. Vandiver, J. Druzik & G. S. Wheeler (Eds.), Materials issues in art and archaeology (Vol. 2., pp. 495–510). Materials Research Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadow, R. H., & Kenoyer, J. M. (2001). recent discoveries and highlights from excavations at Harappa: 1998–2000. Indo Koko Kenkyu: Indian Archaeological Studies, 22, 19–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadow, R. H., & Kenoyer, J. M. (2005). Excavations at Harappa 2000–2001: New Insights on Chronology and City Organization. In C. Jarrige & V. Lefèvre (Eds.), South Asian Archaeology, 2001 (pp. 207–225). Editions Recherche sur les Civilisations - ADPF.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadow, R. H., & Kenoyer, J. M. (2008). Harappa excavations 1998–1999: New evidence for the development and manifestation of the Harappan Phenomenon. In E. M. Raven (Ed.), South Asian archaeology, 1999 (pp. 85–109). International Institute of Asian Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadow, R. H., & Patel, A. K. (2003). Prehistoric Pastoralism in Northwestern South Asia from the Neolithic through the Harappan Period. In S. Weber & W. R. Belcher (Eds.), Ethnobiology and the Indus Civilization (pp. 65–94). Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, H. M.-L. (1994). Metal processing at harappa and mohenjo-daro: Information from non-metal remains. In A. Parpola & P. Koskikallio (Eds.), South Asian Archaeology, 1993 (pp. 497–510). Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, H. M.-L. (1996). The distribution of high-temperature manufacturing at Harappa, Pakistan (3rd Mill. BCE). Society for American Archaeology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, H. M.-L. (1997a). Locating ancient manufacturing areas: High-temperature manufacturing debris from surface surveys at Harappa, Pakistan. In B. Allchin (Ed.), South Asian archaeology, 1995 (pp. 939–946). Oxford & IBH.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, H. M.-L. (1997b). Pottery firing structures (Kilns) of the Indus civilization during the third millennium B.C. In P. Rice & W.D. Kingery (Eds.) Prehistory and history of ceramic kilns (pp. 41–71). American Ceramic Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, H. M.-L. (1999). Pyrotechnology and society in the cities of the Indus Valley. PhD Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Madison Microfilms.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, H. M.-L. (2008a). The Indus talc-faience complex: types of materials, clues to production. In E. M. Raven (Ed.), South Asian archaeology, 1999 (pp. 111–122). International Institute of Asian Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, H. M.-L. (2008b). Issues in the determination of ancient value systems: The role of talc (Steatite) and Faience in the Indus civilization. In E. Olojdam & R. H. Spoor (Eds.), Intercultural relations between South and Southwest Asia: Studies in commemoration of E.C.L. during caspers (1934–1996) (pp. 145–157) BAR International Series 1826.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, H. M.-L., Bouquillon, A. & Barthélémy B. (1996). White-Coated ‘Dishes” from Harappa, Pakistan: A refractory puzzle from the mid-third millennium BC. In International symposium on archaeometry, 1996. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller H. M.-L., & Kenoyer, J. M. (2018). Invisible value or tactile value? Steatite in the faience complexes of the Indus valley tradition. In: D. Frenez, G. Jamison, R. Law, M. Vidale, & R. H. Meadow (Eds.), Walking with the Unicorn: Social organization and material culture in Ancient South Asia. Jonathan Mark Kenoyer Felicitation Volume (pp. 389–394). Archaeopress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, L. J. (2003). Secondary products and urbanism in South Asia: The evidence for traction at Harappa. In S. Weber & W. R. Belcher (Eds.), Ethnobiology and the Indus civilization (pp. 251–326). Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mughal, M. R. (1968). Harappa-1966 (Cemetery R 37). Pakistan Archaeology, 5, 63–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nardi, I. (2006). The theory of citrasutras in Indian painting: A critical re-evaluation of their uses and interpretations. Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patel, A., & Ajithprasad, P. (2018). Analytical study of Harappan copper artifacts from gujarat with special reference to Bagasra. In D. Frenez, G. Jamison, R. Law, M. Vidale, & R. H. Meadow (Eds.), Walking with the Unicorn: Social organization and material culture in Ancient South Asia. Jonathan Mark Kenoyer felicitation volume (pp. 443–452). Archaeopress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Possehl, G. L. (1991). A short history of archaeological discovery at Harappa. In R. H. Meadow (Ed.), Harappa excavations 1986–1990 (pp. 5–12). Prehistory Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringdalen, E., & Tangstad, M. (2016). Softening and melting of SiO2, an important parameter for reactions with quartz in Si production. In R. G. Reddy, P. Chaubal, P. C. Pistorius, & U. Pal (Eds.), Advances in molten slags, fluxes, and salts: Proceedings of the 10th international conference on molten slags, fluxes and salts (pp. 43–51). Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sant, U., Baidya, T. J., Nikoshey, N. G., Sinha, N. K., Nayan, S., Tiwari, J. K., & Arif, A. (2005). Baror: A new Harappan site in Ghaggar Valley—a Preliminary report. Puratattva, 35, 50–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shah, S. G. M., & Parpola, A. (1991). Corpus of Indus seals and inscriptions. 2. collections in Pakistan. Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shah, S. M. I. (1973). Occurrence of Gold in the Kirana group. Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan, Geological Survey of Pakistan: Information Release, 68, 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, D. V., Nauriyal, K. C., Prabhakar, V. N., & Vishnukant. (2004). Sanauli: A late Harappan burial site in the Yamuna-Hindon Doab. Puratattva, 34, 35–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, R. N. (1989). Ancient Indian glass: Archaeology and technology. Parimal Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoltman, J. (1991). Ceramic petrography as a technique for documenting cultural interaction: An example from the upper Mississippi Valley. American Antiquity, 56, 103–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, K. D. (1983). Tarakai Qila: Site, economy and environment. In B. Proudfoot (Ed.), Site, Environment and economy (pp. 127–144). British Archaeological Reports.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tite, M. S., & Bimson, M. (1986). Faience: An investigation of the microstructures associated with the different methods of glazing. Archaeometry, 28, 69–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tite, M. S., Shortlan, A., Maniatis, Y., Kavoussanaki, D., & Harris, S. A. (2006). The composition of the soda-rich and mixed alkali plant ashes used in the production of glass. Journal of Archaeological Science, 33(9), 1284–1292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tite, M. S., Shortland, A. J., & Vandiver, P. B. (2008). Raw materials and fabrication methods used in the production of faience. In M. S. Tite & A. J. Shortland (Eds.), Production technology of faience and related early vitreous materials, Monograph 72 (pp. 37–56). Oxford University School of Archaeology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trivedi, P. K. (2009). Excavations at Tarkhanewala-Dera & Chak 86 (2003–2004). Archaeological Survey of India.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ullah, K. B. M. S. (1931). Appendix I. Notes and analyses. In J. H. Marshall (Ed.), Mohenjo-Daro and the Indus civilization: being an official account of archaeological excavations at mohenjo-daro carried out by the government of India between the years 1922 and 1927. (pp. 686–690). A. Probsthain.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vandiver, P. (1982). Technological change in egyptian faience. In J. S. Olin & A. D. Franklin (Eds.), Archaeological Ceramics (pp. 167–179). Smithsonian Institution Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vandiver, P. (1983). The manufacture of faience, appendix A. In A. Kaczmarczyk & R. E. M. Hedges (Eds.), Ancient Egyptian faience (pp. A1–144). Aris and Phillips.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vats, M. S. (1940). Excavations at Harappa: Being an account of archaeological excavations at Harappa carried out between the years of 1920–21 and 1933–34. Government of India Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidale, M. (1987). The paste plaques and cylinders of chanhudaro: A descriptive report. Annali, 47, 57–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidale, M. (1989a). Early Harappan steatite, faience and paste beads in a Necklace from Mehrgarh-Nausharo (Pakistan). East and West, 39, 291–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidale, M. (1989b). A steatite-cutting atelier on the surface of moenjodaro. Annali, 49, 29–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidale, M. (1995). Early beadmakers of the Indus tradition: The manufacturing sequence of talc beads at Mehrgarh in the 5th Millenium B.C. East and West, 45, 45–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidale, M. (2000). The archaeology of Indus crafts: Indus craftspeople azd why we study them. Istituto Italiano per l"Africa e l'Oriente.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidale, M., & Miller, H. (2000). On the development of Indus technical virtuosity and its relation to social structure. In M. Taddei & G. De Marco (Eds.), South Asian Archaeology, 1997 (pp. 115–132). Istituto Italiano per l’Africa e l’Oriente.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, S. A., & Belcher, W. R. (Eds.). (2003). Ethnobiology and the Indus civilization. Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler, R. E. M. (1947). Harappa 1946: The defenses and cemetery R-37. Ancient India, 3, 58–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, R. P. (1991). Patterns of technology and the organization of production at Harappa. In R. H. Meadow (Ed.), Harappa excavations 1986–1990 (pp. 71–88). Prehistory Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, R. P. (1993). The Harappa museum pottery collections: Some typological and technical evidence. Pakistan Archaeology, 28, 231–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, R. P., Lentz, D. L., Beaubien, H. F., & Kimbrough, C. K. (2012). New Evidence for jute (Corchorus Capsularis L.) in the Indus civilization. Archaeological and Anthropological Science, 4, 137–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wulff, H. E., Wulff, H. S., & Koch, L. (1968). Egyptian faience: A possible survival in Iran. Archaeology, 21, 98–107.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

First of all, I would like to thank Dr. Alok K. Kanungo for organizing the workshop at IIT Gandhinagar and Director, Prof. Sudhir K. Jain, for his support and encouragement over the past many years. My research on Indus Faience began under the guidance of my advisor, the late Dr. G.F. Dales, and I wish to acknowledge his support and encouragement in all of my various studies of Indus crafts. Most of the data presented in this paper derive from the Harappa Archaeological Research Project (HARP) excavations at Harappa, and I would especially like to thank the Government of Pakistan, Department of Archaeology, for facilitating our continued work at Harappa, and my co-directors Dr. Richard H. Meadow and Dr. Rita P. Wright as well as my many students for their ongoing support. Over the years I have worked with many people to better understand glazed ceramics and specifically want to thank Dr. Pamela Vandiver for her guidance and training and the Smithsonian Institution for supporting my study with her in 1993. I also want to specially thank my colleagues at Mohenjo-daro, Dr. Massimo Vidale, and at Harappa, Dr. Richard Meadow, Dr. Rita P. Wright, Donna Strahan, Harriet Beaubien, Dr. Heather M-L Miller, Dr. Randall Law, and all the HARP staff (Tazeem ul Hassan and Ghulam Husain) and workers who helped with the excavations and conservation of materials. I also want to thank Dr. Qasid Mallah for allowing me to study the faience and steatite from his recent excavations at the site of Lakhan-jo-daro, Sindh. In the analysis of the faience, I want to specially thank Dr. Laure Dussubieux for the LA-ICP-MS analysis at the Field Museum and Dr. John Fournelle and Bil Schneider for their help with the SEM-EDS, Department of Geosciences, UW-Madison. I also want to thank many colleagues and students who have also been working on faience from other sites and with whom I have had the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss various theories. Special thanks to Dr. Kuldeep K. Bhan, Dr. K. Krishnan, Dr. P. Ajithprasad and others at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Also thanks to Dr. V.N. Prabhakar for allowing me to look at some of the materials from sites that he had surveyed, such as Mitathal. Additional thanks to Dr. Akinori Uesugi and Dr. Ayumu Konosukawa for sharing their information on sites that they have been working at. I also want to thank all of the other many scholars who have allowed me to study beads from their excavations in India, Pakistan, Oman, China and other countries and look forward to presenting these results in future collaborative papers. My ongoing research at Harappa and the Indus Valley Civilization in general has been supported by numerous organizations, namely the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Geographic Society, the Smithsonian Institution, the American School of Prehistoric Research (Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University), the University of Wisconsin, www.HARAPPA.com, Global Heritage Fund, educational grants from the US State Department, US Embassy Islamabad.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA

    Jonathan Mark Kenoyer

Authors
  1. Jonathan Mark Kenoyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jonathan Mark Kenoyer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

    Alok Kumar Kanungo

  2. Negaunee Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, USA

    Laure Dussubieux

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Kenoyer, J.M. (2021). Glazed Steatite and Faience Technology at Harappa, Pakistan (>3700–1900 BCE): Technological and Experimental Studies of Production and Variation. In: Kanungo, A.K., Dussubieux, L. (eds) Ancient Glass of South Asia. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-3656-1_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-3656-1_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-16-3655-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-16-3656-1

  • eBook Packages: HistoryHistory (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation