Preliminary Findings on Human Skeletal Remains from Harappan site of Farmana

Authors

Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, India

Abstract

The present paper deals with the primary observations conducted on human skeletal remains excavated at Harappan site
of Farmana. The site (29°02’22”N and 76°18’21”E) in the jurisdiction of Meham block of Rohtak district, Haryana, is
locally known as Daksh Kheda. Three cultural phases have been identified; Early Harappan, Mature Harappan and Late
Harappan, dating back to 2500 BC. In all 70 burial pits were demarked, out of that 59 were excavated and skeletal remains
of 35 individuals have been identified. Primary, secondary and symbolic burials were found within the site.
Standard methods are used for the skeletal analysis. Detailed inventory is prepared for each individual. Observations are
made which includes age estimation, sex determination, stature estimation, morpho-metry and pathology. Taphonomical
changes are also noted.
Unfortunately not many pathologies could be identified on these specimens, as the preservation of skeletal elements is
far from satisfactory. There are 11 males and 15 females and sex identification of one individual is not possible. Other
than these adults, 4 children and 5 adolescents are also present. Apart from attrition, in dental pathology, only one case
of enamel hypoplasia is encountered and few teeth with caries have been found. Dental fluorosis is also seen on one
individual. Vertebral pathology indentified on single specimen though confirmation is not possible due to the weathering
of bones.
Interestingly one individual (39 B) has provided evidence of trauma which shows the beginning stages of healing. Only
the skull of this individual has been preserved and therefore no comment can be made about post-cranial changes. Overall,
it looks like the Farmana individuals were quite healthy

Keywords

References

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