Module: General Practice
Q15: Consider the following statements regarding Harappan long-distance trade networks and interactions with Oman:
1. Chemical analyses have shown that both Omani copper and Harappan copper artifacts contain distinct traces of nickel, suggesting a common geological origin.
2. A large Omani jar, distinctly coated with a thick layer of red clay to prevent the percolation of liquids, has been excavated at several Harappan archaeological sites.
3. Mesopotamian texts refer to copper coming from a region called "Magan," which archaeologists and historians widely believe refers to present-day Oman.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
2. A large Omani jar, distinctly coated with a thick layer of red clay to prevent the percolation of liquids, has been excavated at several Harappan archaeological sites.
3. Mesopotamian texts refer to copper coming from a region called "Magan," which archaeologists and historians widely believe refers to present-day Oman.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
✅ Correct Answer: C
🎯 Quick Answer:
Option C is the correct answer because statement 2 reverses the origin and nature of the archaeological artifact found.Structural Breakdown: Archaeological evidence linking Harappa and Oman includes the matching nickel traces in their respective copper artifacts.
Furthermore, Mesopotamian texts from the third millennium BCE corroborate this network, mentioning trade contacts with "Dilmun" (Bahrain), "Magan" (Oman), and "Meluhha" (the Harappan region). Historical/Related Context: The Mesopotamian texts describe Meluhha as a land of seafarers, and Harappan seals consistently depict ships and boats, validating their capability for long-distance maritime logistics across the Arabian Sea.
Causal Reasoning: Statement 2 is incorrect because the artifact discovered was actually a large Harappan jar coated with a thick layer of black clay, and it was found at Omani sites, not the other way around.
The thick black clay coating was engineered by Harappans to prevent liquid leakage, and historians believe these jars were used to export Harappan liquids (like oil or wine) to Oman in exchange for their raw copper.