Question

Consider the following statements:

1. Burial techniques determine the socio-economic differences amongst people living within a particular culture.

2. Harappan people did not believe in an afterlife.

3. The Higher denominations of weights were binary (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, etc. up to 12,800), while the lower denominations followed the decimal system.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : 2 and 3 only

The correct answer is 2 and 3 only.

Burials:

• Archaeologists use certain strategies to find out about the social or economic differences amongst people living within a particular culture. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  • These include studying burials.
  • Example: the massive pyramids of Egypt, (some of which were contemporaneous with the Harappan civilization).
• Many of these pyramids were royal burials, where enormous quantities of wealth were buried.
• At burials in Harappan sites, the dead were generally laid in pits.
• Sometimes, there were differences in the way the burial pit was made.
  • Sometimes, ​the hollowed-out spaces were lined with bricks.
• Some graves contain pottery and ornaments, perhaps indicating a belief that these could be used in the afterlife. Hence, Statement 2 is incorrect.

Weights:

• Exchanges were regulated by a precise system of weights, usually made of a stone called chert and generally cubical 
• The lower denominations of weights were binary (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, etc. up to 12,800), while the higher denominations followed the decimal system. Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
• The smaller weights were probably used for weighing jewelry and beads.
• Metal scale pans have also been found.