What type of evidence do archaeologists rely on to understand clothing in the Harappan civilization?

Indirect evidence including depictions in sculpture

Understanding the function of an artifact is often influenced by its resemblance to present-day objects. For example, beads, querns, stone blades, and pots can provide clues. Additionally, archaeologists examine the context in which the artifact was found, such as a house, drain, grave, or kiln, to help identify its purpose.

At times, indirect evidence becomes necessary. For instance, to gather information about clothing in the Harappan civilization, archaeologists rely on indirect evidence, including depictions in sculptures.

Archaeologists establish frames of reference to aid their interpretation. The first Harappan seal discovered, for example, could not be understood until archaeologists had a contextual understanding based on the cultural sequence in which it was found and comparisons with findings in Mesopotamia.