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Seals from the Indus Civilization

Discovery of seals is an outstanding contribution of the Indus Civilization to ancient craftsmanship. The large number of their presence at Mohenjodaro and Harappa indicate their popularity. Generally. the seal was of steatite material, square or rectangular in shape. Some seals were made of copper or bronze Seals of clay and Terra Cotta have also been found in round or cylindrical shape Wide range of animals associated in all most every case with groups of symbols in semi-pictographic script have been represented.

The animal frequently represented is an ox-like beast with a single horn-popularly nicknamed as "Unicorn* The significance of this animal is unknown. Whatever be the explanation, the ritual character of the scene is emphasized by a remarkable seal-impression from Mohenjodaro showing a figure or a -Unicom- being carried in procession. Other animals represented are sort of horned bull, buffaloes, the Brahamanical bull with hump, tiger, elephant, antelope, fish-eating crocodile and rhinoceros. Of special interest is another seal from Harappa which bears on one side a cross and on the other a splayed eagle with a snake above each wing. The motif is reminiscent of spread eagles found in Mesopotamia Susa and Tell Brak in Syria Apart from these composite animals (admixture of different features of different animals in one animal) also appear.

The fine finishing of these seals eloquently speaks for the workmanship of their makers. There is strong likelihood that these seals were of religious significance and of ritual importance.

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