Indus figurines: the role of representation and the construction of the human form at the Bronze Age city of Harappa

This work examines the collection of anthropomorphic figurines from the Bronze Age city of Harappa (3300-1300 cal. B.C.). In this thesis, I present Sharri Clark’s work on the Harappan figurines, as well as a critical analysis of her typology and her conclusions. I then provide a literature review of the cognitive approach to figurine interpretation to inform the collection from Harappa. I conclude that the Harappan figurines can be split into two valid categories, namely the Early and Mature Harappan types, that their context indicates a domestic use which cannot be connected to religious or ceremonial practice, and that the most effective way to interpret these figurines is through an examination of their three inherent conditions of miniaturism, three-dimensionality, and anthropomorphism. This thesis gives the reader ample knowledge on the archaeology of figurines, the archaeology of Harappa, and demonstrates how a cognitive approach can inform archaeology’s interpretation of the Harappan figurines.