[Solved] Bead-Making in Harappan Civilization | Crafts & Tools

Which one among the following is not true of bead-making as a salient feature of mature Harappan crafts?

[CAPF 2014]

⚡ Generate AI Quick Summary

Correct Option: D

Harappan bead-making involved gold, shells, and semi-precious stones. Chanhudaro was a major workshop center, while Banawali did not yield beads in various preparation stages as a factory site.

A. Harappan beads were made of gold, copper, shell, lapis lazuli, ivory and a variety of semi-precious stones

B. Archaeologists have identified beadmakers shops on the basis of assemblages of unfinished objects

C. At Chanhudaro, tools, furnaces and beads in various stages of preparations have been found

D. The structure of Banawali, yielded many beads in finished, semi-finished and unfinished states

Analysis & Evidence

Concept

Harappan bead-making was a specialized craft involving precise technologies for drilling, polishing, and firing a wide range of organic and inorganic materials.

Authentic Source Evidence

Chanhudaro and Lothal are recognized as dedicated bead-making centers where entire workshops with unfinished materials have been found. Banawali, while yielding beads, was primarily a fortified citadel site and not a specialized workshop hub of this kind.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Option A is correct; materials included Carnelian, Jasper, Crystal, Quartz, Steatite, and various metals.

Logic 2: Option B is correct; unfinished objects (wastage) are the primary way archaeologists identify factory sites.

Logic 3: Option C is correct; Chanhudaro is the most famous site for bead-making furnaces.

Historical Logic Quest

"Which material was easiest for Harappan bead-makers to work with?"

Steatite, a very soft stone that could be easily molded into beads and then fired to harden.

The Topper's Edge

"The existence of dedicated craft centers like Chanhudaro indicates a high degree of labor specialization and surplus-driven trade."

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