Experts look to reconstruct Indus Valley tech
NEW DELHI As part of the renewed efforts to learn from the lost Indus Valley civilisation and utilise the innovation from that era to improve the quality of living in today’s time, a group of researchers from across the country are working to reconstruct the 5,000-yearold technologies used by the Harappans.
One of these includes measures to harvest rain water to address the issue of water scarcity. The Harappans hand-dug water wells to address the issue scarcity issue faced by them as well.
Researchers have started revisiting the sites as part of the drive. They say the mission does not require foreign collaborations or huge funding from abroad.
The renewed interest stems from the fact that researchers today have access to better technologies to conduct in-depth studies.
Prof Vasant Shinde, vicechancellor, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, said, “We are trying to reconstruct most of the technologies perfected and used by Harappans. These technologies, developed some 5,000 years ago, existed as late as 30 years ago. Pottery making, stone making in Khambat region of Gujarat (are some examples) where people still use the same technology to make similar kind of beads.”
In metallurgy, too, cold hammering technique, also an Harppan innovation, is still in use, he said, adding that most of the technologies from that time have survived.
“Regarding water harvesting, we are creating a lot of issues and not learning from the Harappan ancestors who had devised simple and effective technology. We can use water harvesting the way they used to. They dug underground water wells that were interconnected . We don’t need foreign collaborations and funding from abroad,” the professor said.
Other examples that researchers point out include technologies used in craft production or the ones for construction of ceramic stoneware, metal and metallurgy that, they say, are still being used.
Prof D Balasubramanian, chairman, Research Council for History of Science at the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, said, “There is a strong and significant group of researchers who are looking afresh at the science, technology and the innovations from the ancient times. There is now a renewed interest in research activities, particularly groups from Deccan college Pune, BHU, Allahabad University and Archaeological Survey of India.”