Paste, Pores, and Firing: Ceramic Production, Technology and Stylistic Transformation during the Bronze Age Harappan Civilization in the Drishadvati Basin

Manjari

The evolution and expansion of the Bronze Age Harappan Civilization (c. 2600-1900 BCE) across diverse ecological zones display high degrees of standardization along with regional stylistic and typological variations. However, the degree of regional variability in manufacturing practices remains underexplored. This study evaluates the variability in production techniques and raw material use through a scientific investigation of ceramics from the type-site Karanpura (Drishadvati basin). The site has a 1,000-year occupation unravelled through stratigraphic excavations, divided into early Harappan (c. 3000-2500 BCE) and Harappan (c. 2500-2000 BCE) phases. Ceramic assemblages from the Sarasvati–Drishadvati river basins have been attributed to the Sothi–Siswal ceramic tradition during the Early Harappan phase and classical Harappan ceramics during the Harappan phase, based largely on typological characteristics such as vessel forms, surface treatments, and decorative schemes. The hypothesis is that variability in ceramic typologies over time may conceal shared production strategies at the technological level. The ceramics from Karanpura were analysed using an integrated approach combining apparent porosity measurements, thin section petrography and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to address this issue. Apparent porosity values were used to assess changes in paste preparation, tempering practices, and degrees of vitrification through time. Petrographic analysis provided basic information on fabric classification, temper types, and raw material selection, while XRD identified mineralogical phases and changes due to firing, allowing inferences about firing temperatures and kiln atmospheres. This paper will discuss the continuity in techniques of paste preparation and firing across the stratigraphic phases of Karanpura while disentangling technological practices from stylistic expressions.