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1/ Archaeology and the Swastika. The Indus Culture got its name because it's originated in the Indus River valley. Even though there is a deep connection between today's Indian culture & the Indus Valley culture, the Indus River is located today in Pakistan. >>
@nickfshort
@nickfshort
2/ >> The Indus Valley culture existed between 2800-1700 BC, parallel to the Early & Middle Bronze Age cultures in the Ancient Near East. The Indus Valley culture was unknow until it's discovery in 1919 by Indian Archaeologist R D Banerji. >>
3/ >> A total of over a thousand settlements of the Indus Valley culture were discovered in the Indus Valley. Among them are two large and important cities, Mohenjo-daro & Harappa, which also lended its name to the culture"The Harappan culture of the Indus Valley". >>
4/ >> Remains of a fortified city were discovered in Harappa, which in its peak was populated by 23,500 people. Many mud brick buildings & finds were discovered at the site, including weights, which were uniform throughout the Indus Valley. >>
* A set of weights from Harappa.
* A set of weights from Harappa.
5/ >> The second largest city in Indus Valley is Mohenjo-daro, excavated by the British Mortimer Wheeler (who invented the excavation square). Its remains are better preserved than Harappa, & it has a network of streets & advanced urban planning. >>
* Mohenjo-daro from the air.
* Mohenjo-daro from the air.
6/ >> The name Mohenjo-daro means "mound of the dead". That is the modern name of the site, its ancient name is unnown. The city was populated by some 40,000 people & had fortifications only on its south side, with guard towers on the west side. >>
7/ >> In 1950, Wheeler uncovered a large pool, which was be accessed by stairs from a peristyle hall. The pool, 12 m. long, 7 m. wide & 2.4 m. deep, was sealed to prevent water seeping. It is unclear whether it was used for religious purposes or not. >>
* Pool & reconstruction.
* Pool & reconstruction.
8/ >> . Special finds found in the site include the "Dancing Girl" figurine, a bronze figurine about 10 cm. high dating to around 2500 BC, & the 17.5 centimeter "King Priest" statue, made from one block of statite stone. Other diverse finds from everyday life were also found. >>
9/ >> The Indus Valley culture is also the origin of the swastika, which means "luck" or "good omen". Until the rise of the Nazis in Germany the swastika was a symbol of luck & good things. >>
* Swastika in a synagogue in Ein Gedi Israel; Mohenjo-daro cubes & bowl with swastika.
* Swastika in a synagogue in Ein Gedi Israel; Mohenjo-daro cubes & bowl with swastika.
10/ >> There is also evidence of connections between the Indus Valley & sites of the Mesopotamian Sumerian culture, indicating trade ties between the regions.
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* Seal with a scene from the Epic of Gilgamesh, & a consignment note in cuneiform found in Mohanjugaru.
- The End -
* Seal with a scene from the Epic of Gilgamesh, & a consignment note in cuneiform found in Mohanjugaru.
