A recent collaborative study by Indian and Canadian archaeologists has discovered that the Harappans were producing dairy products as early as 2500 BCE. This discovery is considered to be the earliest evidence of dairy production. As we mark the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilisation, this new information provides more insight into the lives and livelihoods of this ancient society.
Milk Production
The study’s findings hinge on a molecular chemical analysis of residue found in pieces of pottery at the archaeological site of Kotada Bhadli in Gujarat, India. Traces of milk in cooking pots suggest it may have been boiled for consumption. The presence of a perforated vessel hints that the milk was processed into other forms. Because pots are porous, they absorb liquid and preserve food molecules like fats and proteins. With the use of techniques such as C16 and C18 analysis, researchers can identify the sources of these foods. Additionally, the presence of a large herd suggests that milk was produced in surplus, possibly for trade between settlements and even on an industrial scale.
Types of Animals Used
Through stable isotope analysis, researchers identified that cattle and water buffalo were primarily used for dairy production. The evidence shows that most of these animals died at an older age, indicating they may have been raised for their milk. Conversely, the majority of goats and sheep died young, suggesting they may have been primarily used for meat.
Societal Structure and Interaction
The Indus Valley Civilisation was unique in that it had no known king or bureaucratic organizations. Instead, it functioned through close regional interactions between settlements—a give-and-take relationship that aided its long-term survival. This communal structure was a stark contrast to other civilizations of the time.
Understanding the Rural Economy
The Indus Valley Civilisation is renowned for its metropolitan cities, urban planning, trading systems, and craftsmanship. However, there has been little understanding of how common people lived during this time or their contributions to society. This new study helps shed light on the rural economy of the Indus Valley Civilisation and how it supported the larger network.
About the Indus Valley Civilisation
The history of India begins with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), which thrived around 2,500 BC in what is now Pakistan and Western India. The IVC was the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations, which included Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China. In the 1920s, the Archaeological Department of India unearthed two old city ruins, Mohenjodaro and Harappa. In 1924, John Marshall, the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, introduced the world to this newly discovered civilization.
Significant Excavation Sites of the IVC
Numerous excavation sites have provided a wealth of information about the IVC. Sites like Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Sutkagendor, Chanhudaro, and others have revealed sandstone statues, granaries, bullock carts, a great bath, a bronze dancing girl, and other significant findings. Each discovery provides more insight into the IVC’s culture and advancements, including evidence of the first manmade port at Lothal, Gujarat, a symbol of their remarkable progress.
While these archaeological excavations do not cover the entirety of the Indus Valley Civilization, they provide valuable snapshots of a sophisticated ancient culture that was adept at city planning, trade, agriculture, and animal husbandry.
