Archaeological Remains of Ancient India | Page 5 | Indian Defence Forum

Ancient Indian Anthropomorphic Figures

A very important symbol to the people in the region. But we have no clue what it means.

Anthropomorph, ca. 1500 B.C.
Ganges region

In India, find spots for ancient copper objects are located primarily in the basin of the Ganges River in modern-day Uttar Pradesh. The hoards, which contained celts, harpoons, rings, and figural sculptures loosely identified as anthropomorphs, date to a period of Indian history about which little is known. Although it is now generally assumed that these copper objects were made by indigenous people living in the area, the function and meaning of the objects remain unclear.
Made from molds and then embellished with hammering, anthropomorphs are characterized by semicircular heads resting directly upon the shoulders, volutelike arms held akimbo, and pointed open legs. Alternatively identified as male or female, these figures may have been emblems of fertility used in magical, religious, or political practices.

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These anthropomorphic figures, harpoons, ax blades (celts), and antennae swords were cast and hammered from unalloyed copper. They may be dated to 1500 to 1000 B.C. Given that pure copper is a relatively soft metal and most of the objects show little or no signs of wear, it seems likely that their function was largely dedicatory. Hoards of such objects have been found across north India, the greatest concentration being in Uttar Pradesh. The findspots suggest they were ritually deposited in rivers or marshes, though several related antennae swords were recorded in late Indus Valley civilization (ca. 1500 B.C.) burials at Sanauli.

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Mauryan period, 2nd century BC

Dish with a Bee Pollinating a Lotus




Shunga Vessel

Shunga period. 1st century BC



Female figure in gold

1st-2nd century