Archaeologists rely on frames of reference to understand artifacts, including cultural sequences and comparisons with finds from other regions like Mesopotamia.
The discovery and interpretation of the first Harappan seal required establishing a cultural context and comparing it to similar finds in Mesopotamia.
Archaeological interpretation of religious practices faces challenges and uncertainties.
Early archaeologists associated certain unusual objects with religious significance, such as heavily jewelled terracotta figurines of women like the 'Mother Goddess' and standardized stone statuary of men like the "priest-king."
Structures like the Great Bath and fire altars have been attributed to ritual importance.
Examination of seals, some depicting ritual scenes and others with plant motifs, has been used to reconstruct religious beliefs and practices.
Animals depicted on seals, including the "unicorn," are considered mythical or composite creatures.
A figure seated in a "yogic" posture on seals has been interpreted as a depiction of "proto-Shiva," an early form of the Hindu deity.
Conical stone objects have been identified as lingas, associated with Shiva worship.
Reconstructions of Harappan religion often rely on parallels with later traditions, which is speculative when applied to "religious" symbols. |
