Question

Explain how archaeologists have been able to reconstruct dietry practices of the Harappans.

Answer 1

Dietary habits were recreated by archaeologists using:

1. Grain types like wheat, barley, lentils, chickpeas, and sesame that are found at Harapan sites are studied by archaeobotanists. In Gujarat, millets are widely available, but rice is uncommon.
2. Archaeo-zoologists studied animal bone discoveries. Domesticated species such as cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, and pigs can be identified from animal bones. There are also wild species including boar, deer, and arid gharial. There are also bones from fish and poultry. Whether the Harappans hunted them or got their flesh from other groups is unknown.