Module: General Practice
Q22: Consider the following statements regarding the archaeological evidence of trade between the Harappan civilization and Oman:
1. Chemical analyses have confirmed that both Omani copper ore and Harappan copper artifacts contain distinct traces of nickel, suggesting a shared geological origin.
2. A highly distinctive type of vessel, a large Harappan jar coated with a thick layer of black clay, has been frequently found at Omani archaeological sites.
3. The thick black clay coating on these Harappan jars was a purely decorative glaze applied to signify royal ownership and high social status.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
2. A highly distinctive type of vessel, a large Harappan jar coated with a thick layer of black clay, has been frequently found at Omani archaeological sites.
3. The thick black clay coating on these Harappan jars was a purely decorative glaze applied to signify royal ownership and high social status.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
✅ Correct Answer: A
🎯 Quick Answer:
Option A is correct because statement 3 incorrectly identifies the functional purpose of the black clay coating.Structural Breakdown: The trade link with Oman (Magan) is established by two primary pieces of evidence: the metallurgical signature (nickel traces) matching Harappan artifacts to Omani copper mines, and the presence of specialized Harappan packaging (the black-coated jars) in Oman.
Historical/Related Context: Harappan weights and dice have also been found in Oman, indicating that Harappan merchants likely traveled there directly to conduct standardized transactions.
Causal Reasoning: Statement 3 is false because the thick layer of black clay was not decorative.
It was a highly practical, utilitarian engineering solution designed specifically to make the porous ceramic jars waterproof, preventing the percolation and loss of valuable liquids (likely wine, oil, or honey) during the long, arduous sea voyage to the Arabian Peninsula.