Q.”How do archaeologists trace socio-economic differences in Harappan society? What are the differences that they notice?
EXPLANATION : Following examples can be cited to show the existence of social and economic variations in the Harappan society:

(i) Study of burials is the one example. In the Harappan sites, the deads were usually laid in pits. There were differences in the way the burial pit was made – in some instances, the hollowed-out spaces were lined with bricks. But these may not be taken as a social difference.

(ii) Some graves contain pottery and ornaments, have been found. Jewellery has been found in burials of both men and women. These findings can point out social and economic differences.

(iii) The artefacts, which archaeologists broadly classify as utilitarian and luxuries. The first category includes objects of daily use made fairly easily out of ordinary materials such as stone or clay. These include querns, pottery, needles, flesh-rubbers (body scrubbers), etc., and are usually found distributed throughout settlements.

(iv) Objects of luxuries were rare or made from costly, non-local materials or with complicated technologies. Little pots of faience were considered as precious. They were also not easy to make. These show the existence of social and economic variations in the Harappan society.