An archaeologist at a Harappan site recovers stone tools, terracotta figurines and copper objects, but no cloth, leather or wooden items. Which of the following best explains this pattern?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Organic materials generally decompose, especially in tropical regions
Option (1) Broken or useless objects would have been thrown away — Incorrect. Throwing away broken or useless objects explains which things reach a dump. Broken stone tools and pots would be thrown away too, so it cannot explain why only organic items are missing.
Option (2) Valuable artefacts were hoarded rather than thrown away — Incorrect. Hoarding explains why some valuable artefacts are found whole. It gives no reason why everyday cloth, leather and wooden items are missing.
Option (3) Organic materials generally decompose, especially in tropical regions — Correct. Cloth, leather, wood and reeds are organic materials, and they generally decompose, more so in a tropical climate. Stone, terracotta and metal last, so only these are found.
Option (4) Other things would probably have been recycled — Incorrect. Recycling explains why some useful objects disappear. It cannot explain a pattern based on the material an object is made of.
NCERT (2026-27): “11. Problems of Piecing Together the Past “It is also important to remember that only broken or useless objects would have been thrown away. Other things would probably have been recycled. Consequently, valuable artefacts that are found intact were either lost in the past or hoarded and never retrieved. In other words, such finds are accidental rather than typical.” |