Module: | Archaeological Discovery & Civilization Decline
Q49: Consider the following statements regarding R.E.M. Wheeler's contributions to Harappan archaeology:
1. R.E.M. Wheeler, who took over as Director-General of the ASI in 1944, fundamentally changed excavation methods by introducing a rigid, military-like precision to the discipline.
2. Wheeler officially recognized that it was essential to follow the natural stratigraphy of the mound rather than digging mechanically along uniform horizontal lines.
3. Because of his strict military background, Wheeler strictly restricted the excavation of all Harappan sites to British military personnel, completely barring Indian archaeologists from participating.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
2. Wheeler officially recognized that it was essential to follow the natural stratigraphy of the mound rather than digging mechanically along uniform horizontal lines.
3. Because of his strict military background, Wheeler strictly restricted the excavation of all Harappan sites to British military personnel, completely barring Indian archaeologists from participating.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
✅ Correct Answer: A
🎯 Quick Answer:
Option A is the correct answer because statement 3 is a complete historical fabrication regarding the exclusion of Indian archaeologists.Structural Breakdown: Wheeler brought his background as a British army brigadier into the archaeological trenches.
He instituted rigorous discipline, precise recording, and most importantly, the method of stratigraphic digging.
Historical/Related Context: Stratigraphy is the study of rock layers and layering.
Wheeler understood that a mound builds up unevenly over time due to human habitation, collapse, and rebuilding.
Therefore, digging straight horizontal lines across these uneven layers destroys the timeline.
Causal Reasoning: Statement 3 is entirely false.
Wheeler did not ban Indian archaeologists; in fact, he actively trained a whole new generation of prominent Indian archaeologists (such as B.B. Lal) at his famous Taxila field school, ensuring that indigenous scholars possessed the advanced, scientific stratigraphic techniques required to lead the ASI after India gained independence.