Module: General Practice
Q11: Consider the following statements regarding the settlement of Chanhudaro and Harappan craft production:
1. Compared to the massive 125-hectare layout of Mohenjodaro, Chanhudaro was a tiny settlement of approximately 7 hectares almost exclusively devoted to craft production.
2. The craft activities at Chanhudaro were diverse, encompassing bead-making, shell-cutting, metal-working, seal-making, and weight-making.
3. The materials used to manufacture beads were highly diverse, incorporating stones like carnelian, metals like gold, and artificially produced materials like faience.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
2. The craft activities at Chanhudaro were diverse, encompassing bead-making, shell-cutting, metal-working, seal-making, and weight-making.
3. The materials used to manufacture beads were highly diverse, incorporating stones like carnelian, metals like gold, and artificially produced materials like faience.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
✅ Correct Answer: D
🎯 Quick Answer:
Option D is the correct answer, as all three statements accurately describe the scale and scope of craft production at Chanhudaro.Structural Breakdown: Chanhudaro was tiny (7 hectares) compared to Mohenjodaro (125 hectares). Despite its size, it dominated the manufacturing of utilitarian and luxury goods.
Artisans utilized a wide spectrum of materials including stones (carnelian, jasper, steatite), metals (copper, bronze, gold), and synthetic materials (faience, terracotta). Historical/Related Context: Archaeologists identify these ancient centers of craft production by looking for raw materials, unfinished objects, and specifically, rejected waste materials.
Waste is one of the best archaeological indicators, as smaller pieces of stone or shell chipped off during manufacturing were left behind at the exact site of production.
Causal Reasoning: The centralization of specialized craft production in smaller settlements like Chanhudaro allowed the civilization to efficiently process raw materials before exporting the finished luxury goods to larger administrative centers like Harappa and Mohenjodaro.