Since time and beyond, when humans first developed the understanding of staying in communities, a sense of affection and adoration grew towards fellow beings. The law of nature of the cycle of life gave rise to the b...Since time and beyond, when humans first developed the understanding of staying in communities, a sense of affection and adoration grew towards fellow beings. The law of nature of the cycle of life gave rise to the belief in life after death and a sense of intimidation for the same, gave way to supernatural beliefs. Such beliefs gave rise to multifarious customary activities. A study to understand them on the basis of symbolism has paved the way for simplification of the complex rituals, and hence, perceive the prevalent socio-cultural aspects of those times.展开更多
The ephemeral Ghaggar-Hakra River of northwestern India has always been considered to be the remnant of an ancient perennial glacier-fed river（Vedic Saraswati）. The exact reason and timing of major hydrological chan...The ephemeral Ghaggar-Hakra River of northwestern India has always been considered to be the remnant of an ancient perennial glacier-fed river（Vedic Saraswati）. The exact reason and timing of major hydrological change of this river remains speculative. The river＇s purported association with the zenith of the Harappan civilisation remains a conjecture because the timings of its fluvial past are still being debated. In this study we have made an attempt to resolve this issue using geochemical provenance of sediments from some dated horizons in the Ghaggar flood plain and that of the material used in the potteries from the Mature Harappan period（4600-3900 yr BP） at Kalibangan. Sampled sedimentary horizons were dated by radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence（OSL） methods. Results of our study from the Ghaggar alluvium indicate that the river did have glacial sources during the early Holocene. However, the data from the potteries suggest that during the Mature Harappan period, the sediments in the Ghaggar as used by the potters did not have a higher Himalayan provenance and hence, were not derived from glaciated Himalayas.These findings imply that during the time of the Mature Harappans the Ghaggar had already become a foothill-fed river.展开更多
文摘Since time and beyond, when humans first developed the understanding of staying in communities, a sense of affection and adoration grew towards fellow beings. The law of nature of the cycle of life gave rise to the belief in life after death and a sense of intimidation for the same, gave way to supernatural beliefs. Such beliefs gave rise to multifarious customary activities. A study to understand them on the basis of symbolism has paved the way for simplification of the complex rituals, and hence, perceive the prevalent socio-cultural aspects of those times.
基金funded by the Department of Space, Government of India
文摘The ephemeral Ghaggar-Hakra River of northwestern India has always been considered to be the remnant of an ancient perennial glacier-fed river（Vedic Saraswati）. The exact reason and timing of major hydrological change of this river remains speculative. The river＇s purported association with the zenith of the Harappan civilisation remains a conjecture because the timings of its fluvial past are still being debated. In this study we have made an attempt to resolve this issue using geochemical provenance of sediments from some dated horizons in the Ghaggar flood plain and that of the material used in the potteries from the Mature Harappan period（4600-3900 yr BP） at Kalibangan. Sampled sedimentary horizons were dated by radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence（OSL） methods. Results of our study from the Ghaggar alluvium indicate that the river did have glacial sources during the early Holocene. However, the data from the potteries suggest that during the Mature Harappan period, the sediments in the Ghaggar as used by the potters did not have a higher Himalayan provenance and hence, were not derived from glaciated Himalayas.These findings imply that during the time of the Mature Harappans the Ghaggar had already become a foothill-fed river.
