New Perspectives on the Harappan Culture in Light of Recent Excavations at Rakhigarhi: 2011–2017, Volume 1: Bioarchaeological Research on the Rakhigarhi Necropolis

Rakhigarhi, situated in Hisar District, Haryana, India, is one of the largest metropolises of the Harappan Civilization found so far. After introducing the excavations that took place 2011-2017 and setting out the objectives of the project, this book focuses on the uncovered cemetery, with detailed analysis and inventories of the burials.

The site of Rakhigarhi, situated in Hisar District, Haryana, India, is one of the largest metropolises of the Harappan Civilization found so far, to be mentioned alongside the iconic sites of Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa and Dholavira. Between the years 2011 and 2017 extensive explorations and excavations were carried out by teams from the Deccan College P.G.R.I., Deemed University, Pune, Seoul National University and Haryana State Archaeology Department. Mounds 4, 6 and 2 were habitation deposits where cultural sequences of Early and Mature Cultural layers were found. Among the major finds were classical Harappan ceramic assemblages; beads of terracotta, faience, stones and steatite; seals; shell and terracotta bangles; terracotta figurines, etc. Mound 7 was a cemetery, representative of the Mature Harappan period, where systematic excavation was carried out. After chapters introducing the excavations at Rakhigarhi and setting out the objectives of the project, the book focuses on the cemetery, with detailed analysis and inventories of the burials. Data on the physical and pathological traits of the Harappan population are presented in full, with specialist chapters on craniofacial reconstruction, and on parasitological analysis. The volume is completed with analysis of the faunal remains from Rakhigarhi habitation area.

Preface

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Harappan Culture: recent perspectives – Vasant Shinde

Chapter 2: The Rakhigarhi Archaeological Site and Research Objectives – Vasant Shinde, Nilesh Jadhav, Yongjun Kim, Dong Hoon Shin

Chapter 3: Excavations 2013–2016 – Vasant Shinde, Nilesh Jadhav, YongjunKim, Dong Hoon Shin, Banani Bhattacharyya

Chapter 4: Archaeological Inventory, Rakhigarhi Necropolis (2013–2016) – Yongjun Kim, Nilesh Jadhav, Dong Hoon Shin, Banani Bhattacharya, Vasant Shinde

Chapter 5: Anthropological review of human skeletons from the Rakhigarhi necropolis – Hyejin Lee, Yongjun Kim, Eun Jin Woo, Vasant Shinde, Won Joon Lee, Pranjali Waghmare, Nilesh Jadhav, Chang Seok Oh, Jong Ha Hong, Jieun Kim, Dong Hoon Shin

Chapter 6: Craniofacial Reconstruction of Harappan Individuals from the Rakhigarhi Necropolis – Won Joon Lee, Yong Jun Kim, Vasant Shinde, Eun Jin Woo, Hyejin Lee, Pranjali Waghmare, Nilesh Jadahv, Jong Ha Hong, Dong Hoon Shin

Chapter 7: Parasitism, Sanitation, and City Management relating to the Harappan Civilisation – Dong Hoon Shin, Yongjun Kim, Jong-Yil Chai, Vasant Shinde, Nilesh Jadahv, Chang Seok Oh, Jong Ha Hong, Astha Dibyopama, Jieun Kim, and Min Seo

Chapter 8: Archaeozoological Investigations at Rakhigarhi: an Interim Report – Arati Deshpande-Mukherjee, Pankaj Goyal, Tarannum Caur, Sanjay Krishna, Atashi Maitra

Chapter 9: Conclusion – Vasant Shinde, Dong Hoon Shin, Banani Bhattacharyya

Appendix 1: Inventory of Rakhigarhi necropolis skeletons – Hyejin Lee, Eun Jin Woo, Yongjun Kim, Pranjali Waghmare, Vasant Shinde, Nilesh Jadhav, Chang Seok Oh, Jong Ha Hong, Dong Hoon Shin

Appendix 2: Research ethics relating to investigations at the Rakhigarhi necropolis – Vasant Shinde, Nilesh Jadhav, Yongjun Kim, Dong Hoon Shin

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Preface

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Harappan Culture: recent perspectives – Vasant Shinde

Chapter 2: The Rakhigarhi Archaeological Site and Research Objectives – Vasant Shinde, Nilesh Jadhav, Yongjun Kim, Dong Hoon Shin

Chapter 3: Excavations 2013–2016 – Vasant Shinde, Nilesh Jadhav, YongjunKim, Dong Hoon Shin, Banani Bhattacharyya

Chapter 4: Archaeological Inventory, Rakhigarhi Necropolis (2013–2016) – Yongjun Kim, Nilesh Jadhav, Dong Hoon Shin, Banani Bhattacharya, Vasant Shinde

Chapter 5: Anthropological review of human skeletons from the Rakhigarhi necropolis – Hyejin Lee, Yongjun Kim, Eun Jin Woo, Vasant Shinde, Won Joon Lee, Pranjali Waghmare, Nilesh Jadhav, Chang Seok Oh, Jong Ha Hong, Jieun Kim, Dong Hoon Shin

Chapter 6: Craniofacial Reconstruction of Harappan Individuals from the Rakhigarhi Necropolis – Won Joon Lee, Yong Jun Kim, Vasant Shinde, Eun Jin Woo, Hyejin Lee, Pranjali Waghmare, Nilesh Jadahv, Jong Ha Hong, Dong Hoon Shin

Chapter 7: Parasitism, Sanitation, and City Management relating to the Harappan Civilisation – Dong Hoon Shin, Yongjun Kim, Jong-Yil Chai, Vasant Shinde, Nilesh Jadahv, Chang Seok Oh, Jong Ha Hong, Astha Dibyopama, Jieun Kim, and Min Seo

Chapter 8: Archaeozoological Investigations at Rakhigarhi: an Interim Report – Arati Deshpande-Mukherjee, Pankaj Goyal, Tarannum Caur, Sanjay Krishna, Atashi Maitra

Chapter 9: Conclusion – Vasant Shinde, Dong Hoon Shin, Banani Bhattacharyya

Appendix 1: Inventory of Rakhigarhi necropolis skeletons – Hyejin Lee, Eun Jin Woo, Yongjun Kim, Pranjali Waghmare, Vasant Shinde, Nilesh Jadhav, Chang Seok Oh, Jong Ha Hong, Dong Hoon Shin

Appendix 2: Research ethics relating to investigations at the Rakhigarhi necropolis – Vasant Shinde, Nilesh Jadhav, Yongjun Kim, Dong Hoon Shin

• Edited by Vasant Shinde
• Edited by Dong Hoon Shin