How was gold jewelry typically found in Harappan sites?

Recovered from hidden hoards

By examining the distribution of such artifacts, a pattern emerges wherein rare objects made of valuable materials tend to be concentrated in large settlements like Mohenjodaro and Harappa, while they are rarely found in smaller settlements. For instance, miniature faience pots, possibly used as perfume bottles, are predominantly found in Mohenjodaro and Harappa, with no evidence of their presence in smaller settlements like Kalibangan. Similarly, gold was scarce and highly prized, as indicated by the fact that all gold jewelry discovered at Harappan sites was found in hoards.

Hoards are collections of objects that are deliberately and carefully preserved by people. These objects are often stored inside containers, such as pots, to ensure their protection. Hoards can consist of various items, including jewelry or metal objects that are set aside for future use by metalworkers.