تلخیص
During the Integration Era of the Harappa Phase (2600-1900 BC), Harappan craftspeople
fashioned an impressive array of material goods from a variety of raw materials. Among the
most common and important of these raw materials is steatite, a soft and easily workable
stone comprised primarily of the mineral talc. Harappans utilised steatite to such an extent
that it is ubiquitous at affiliated archaeological sites. Because of the importance of this
material in the ancient Harappan world, the following research has focused on two aspects
of Harappan steatite production: firing to harden the soft stone and carving techniques used
to inscribe script and motifs. Samples of replica incised steatite seals or tablets were created
using a set of tools similar to those that might have been used during the Harappan period.
These samples were then subjected to firing experiments in order to observe the changes in
color and hardness associated with different heating temperatures. Impressions of inscribed
characters were then made and analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to
examine the cut surfaces created using different tools. These experimental data were then
compared with impressions of archaeological seals recovered from the site of Harappa by
the Harappa Archaeological Research Project (HARP) in an attempt to identify aspects of
carving and tool marks that will allow more precise reconstructions of actual tools used by
Harappan craftsmen.
GREGG M. JAMISON. (2012) Experimental Studies of Harappan Steatite Carving and Firing Techniques , Pakistan Heritage, Volume 4, Issue 1.
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