Festivals and rites: the Indus cities
A visual journey through the public spaces, music, scents and ritual architecture of the Harappan urban world.
Chapters
- 0:07 City Spaces and Gatherings
- 0:59 Sound and Rhythm: Music in the Harappan World
- 2:26 Scents of the Sacred: Perfume and Incense
- 3:44 Ritual Architecture and Processions
On-screen text
- 0:07 City Spaces and Gatherings
- 0:23 Great Bath: communal water ritual Historical record · John Marshall, *Mohenjo‑daro and the Indus Civilization*, 1931
- 0:41 Mud‑brick fire altar at Kalibangan Historical record · Archaeological Survey of India, *Excavations at Kalibangan*, 1970, p. 78
- 0:59 Sound and Rhythm: Music in the Harappan World
- 1:06 Sound and Rhythm: Music in the Harappan World
- 1:23 Bronze drum from Harappa burial Historical record · Kenoyer, J.M., *Music of the Harappan Civilization*, 2009, Fig. 3
- 1:41 Bone flutes from Dholavira Historical record · Possehl, G., *The Indus Civilization*, 2002, p. 112
- 1:59 Hall with drums and flutes for festivals The Institute's interpretation · Possehl, G., *Indus Ritual and Music*, 2007, p. 89
- 2:17 Dancing figurine suggests festivals The Institute's interpretation · Wheeler, M., *Excavations at Mohenjo‑daro*, 1949, vol. II
- 2:26 Scents of the Sacred: Perfume and Incense
- 2:33 Scents of the Sacred: Perfume and Incense
- 2:59 Copper incensory from Kot Diji Historical record · British Museum, Harappan Incense Burner (BM 124567)
- 3:17 Frankincense fragments show trade The Institute's interpretation · Michell, G., *The Archaeology of South Asia*, 1990, p. 210
- 3:35 Figurine holding perfume bottle Historical record · Lothal Museum, *Perfume Applicator Figurine*, 2008
- 3:44 Ritual Architecture and Processions
- 3:51 Ritual Architecture and Processions
- 3:59 Raised platform as temple The Institute's interpretation · Kenoyer, J.M., *Harappan Temples?*, 2004, p. 152
- 4:17 Mud‑brick fire altar at Kalibangan Historical record · Archaeological Survey of India, *Excavations at Kalibangan*, 1970, p. 78
Sources
Historical record: John Marshall, *Mohenjo‑daro and the Indus Civilization*, 1931 · Archaeological Survey of India, *Excavations at Kalibangan*, 1970, p. 78 · Kenoyer, J.M., *Music of the Harappan Civilization*, 2009, Fig. 3 · Possehl, G., *The Indus Civilization*, 2002, p. 112 · University of Pennsylvania Museum, *Harappan Perfume Vessel*, 2015 · British Museum, Harappan Incense Burner (BM 124567) · Lothal Museum, *Perfume Applicator Figurine*, 2008 · Harappa Seal, British Museum (BM 124123)
The Institute's interpretation: Wright, R., *Water and Ritual in the Indus*, 2012, p. 33 · Kenoyer, J.M., *Harappan Urban Planning*, 1995, p. 45 · Possehl, G., *Indus Ritual and Music*, 2007, p. 89 · Wheeler, M., *Excavations at Mohenjo‑daro*, 1949, vol. II · Michell, G., *The Archaeology of South Asia*, 1990, p. 210 · Kenoyer, J.M., *Harappan Temples?*, 2004, p. 152
Sound: synthesized ambient (wind, drone, water) (CC0 — made by SoapBox). Made in 108 s of CPU.
Scenes Hathor has no parts for yet (10) — the next things to make
- City Spaces and Gatherings: Show how urban architecture organized communal and sacred gatherings.
- Elite individual ascending narrow stair to the bath.
- Elite individual ascending narrow stair to the bath.
- Carriage‑like carts moving along a stone‑paved street.
- Close‑up of bone flutes displayed on a wooden table.
- Scientist uncorks a replica jar, vapor of sandalwood rises.
- Close‑up of seal; animated figures march across a courtyard.
- Close‑up of seal; animated figures march across a courtyard.
- Crowd gathered around a raised stone platform.
- Carriage‑like carts moving along a stone‑paved street.