Read the passage and answer the questions:

Chanhudaro is a tiny settlement (less than 7 hectares), almost exclusively devoted to craft production. including bead-making, shell-cutting, metal-working, seal-making and weight-making. The variety of materials used to make beads is remarkable: stones like carnelian, jasper, crystal, quartz and steatite; metals like copper, bronze and gold; and shell, faience, and terracotta or burnt clay. Some beads were made of two or more stones, cemented together, some of stone with gold caps. The shapes were numerous-disc-shaped, cylindrical, spherical, barrel-shaped, segmented.

Which stone was used to make the Harappan seal ?

Steatite

The correct answer is Option (3) → Steatite

Steatite, also known as soapstone, was the primary stone used to make the Harappan seals. Several reasons contributed to the preference for steatite:

Ease of Carving: Steatite is a relatively soft stone, making it easier to carve and engrave intricate designs and inscriptions on the seals.

Durability: While steatite is soft enough to carve, it is still durable enough to withstand the wear and tear associated with daily use. The seals were used for various administrative and commercial purposes.

Smooth Surface: Steatite has a smooth and fine-grained texture, providing an ideal surface for detailed engraving.

Availability: Steatite was readily available in the regions where the Harappan civilization thrived, making it a convenient and accessible material for crafting seals.

So, the correct option is [3].