Research on the Harappan/Indus civilization published in the journal covers excavations, settlement patterns, craft production, faunal remains, and comparative economics.

Key Excavations and Studies

Khanak, Bhiwani, Haryana (VOL-1-04)

An important Harappan site near the Tosham hills in Haryana, excavated by R.N. Singh and team from Banaras Hindu University. Key findings:

  • Early and Mature Harappan cultural materials across 16 trenches
  • A six-room complex of Early Harappan period with a gallery, interpreted as craftsmen’s quarters for metallurgical operations
  • Stone alignments (walls) and post-holes suggesting circular structures
  • Evidence of metal working in the Mature Harappan period
  • The site is significant for understanding exploitation of stone and minerals from the Aravalli region, including possible tin mining

Sampolia Khera / Masudpur I, Haryana (VOL-2-01)

P.P. Joglekar, R.N. Singh, and C.A. Petrie conducted a detailed study of faunal remains from Early, Mature, and Late Harappan phases. The analysis provides insights into animal husbandry practices and subsistence strategies.

Masudpur Excavations 2018-2019 (VOL-6-04)

Follow-up survey and excavations at Masudpur, continuing the investigation of settlement patterns in the Ghaggar basin.

Kanmer, Gujarat (VOL-3-02)

A unique Harappan site in the Kachchh district. Rajesh Kumar Meena studied stone drill bits from Kanmer, revealing that bead drilling workshops were concentrated at the town centre during Early and Mature Harappan periods, shifting to the southeastern part during Late Harappan and Historical periods.

Alamgirpur, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (VOL-6-02)

Jennifer Bates and C.A. Petrie reassessed archaeobotanical remains from the Indus and PGW period occupation at this easternmost Harappan site. Ceramic assemblages from excavations were also reported (VOL-8-02).

Ganeshwar, Sikar, Rajasthan (VOL-4-01)

Ravindra N. Singh et al. reported on the ceramic assemblages of Ganeshwar, a significant Early Harappan site known for copper production.

Rakhigarhi, Haryana (VOL-4-04)

Amit Ranjan and Ravindra Nath Singh studied the archaeology of Rakhigarhi and its surroundings in Hissar district. Rakhigarhi is one of the largest Harappan sites.

Balu, Kaithal, Haryana (VOL-9-01)

Site catchment analysis of this protohistoric site by Dilip Kumar Kushwaha and Amit Kumar.

Comparative Studies

Erlitou (China) and Harappa (Pakistan) (VOL-5-01)

Qian Wang and Anil K. Pokharia compared the political organization, cropping patterns, and economies of these two Bronze Age civilizations, highlighting their different trajectories of state control over economies.

Settlement Patterns

Harappan Settlement on the Desert Margin (VOL-3-03)

Vikas Pawar, R.N. Singh, and Cameron Petrie examined settlement dynamics on the margin of the Thar Desert, focusing on Hanumangarh district. The study demonstrates how rainfall and river runoff significantly affected settlement patterns.