What is Harappa Cemetery R 37?

Situated in modern-day Punjab, Pakistan, the ancient archaeological site of Harappa bears witness to the illustrious past of the Indus Valley Civilization. Harappa and Mohenjo-daro are two of the principal cities of this ancient civilization, which flourished between 3300 and 1300 BCE. “Cemetery R 37” stands out as a noteworthy feature of the archaeological landscape of Harappa, indicating the possibility of burial sites or funerary customs within the ancient city. In this article, we’ll learn about this term.

Some important points about “Cemetery R37 Harappa” are as follows:

Location	In the present-day Pakistani province of Punjab is the ancient archaeological site of Harappa, where Cemetery R 37 is found.
Size and Purpose	R 37 is characterized as a minor site with about 200 burials. According to archaeologists, it was used as a personal grave by a single Harappan family or clan.
Genetic Affinities and Social Structure	Strong genetic connections among the female population in the R-37 cemetery suggest that only members of a close-knit family or group were buried there. This sheds light on the social structure of the Harappan people by implying that those with higher social status and class were treated differently and had their own burial place.
Burial Practices	Most Harappan burials, including those in Cemetery R 37, involved circular or rectangular holes enclosed with stone or brick. Usually, the bodies were buried facing north-south in wooden coffins covered in linen. Certain grave artefacts, including jewels and mirrors, point to burial customs that are gender-specific.

Introduction to Harappan Civilization

The Harappan civilization, commonly referred to as the Indus Valley Civilization, was an ancient urban society that inhabited the Indus River Valley in what is now western India and Pakistan. It was one among the world’s earliest urban civilizations, flourishing roughly between 2600 and 1900 BCE, however research into its precise period continues to be underway.

The Harappan civilization was defined by complex architecture, well-organized cities, and an excellent urban planning. The trade, commercial, and political hubs of this civilization were the two greatest cities: Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. These cities were famous for their well-planned streets, brick homes with sophisticated drainage systems, and public structures.

There are different cemeteries linked to the villages of the Harappan culture, which was also known as the Indus Valley culture. These cemeteries offer significant details about the social structure and burial customs of the ancient people. To the south of the fortress, two discoveries at Harappa were made. Two cemeteries—”R 37,” from the Harappan Period, and “H,” from the Late or even Post-Harappan Period—were discovered there.

Harappa was one of more than fifty-five burial sites discovered in the Indus Valley. The main locations are Lothal, Rojdi, Rakhigarhi, Harappa Kalibangan, and Ropar. Cemeteries are typically viewed as expressions of social rank and organization. The Tainter school of thought generally agrees with this interpretation. The cemeteries R-37 and H in Harappa would provide the most persuasive evidence for this theory.

What is Cemetery R 37 Harappa?

R 37 is a smaller location with roughly 200 burials. Archaeologists believe it was a private burial ground utilized by a single Harappan family or group. The R-37 cemetery’s female population exhibits “strong genetic affinities that indicate that only members of a closely related family or group were buried there.” These female population genetic affinities show that the Harappan people observed the natural location system, which obliged newlyweds to move in with the woman’s family. The R-37 cemetery shows clearly that people of high class and rank in a community received extremely distinct treatment and had a separate burial location.

The vast majority of burials in the Harappan period took place within rectangular or oval holes that were lined with brick or stone. The body was usually buried in a wooden coffin, wrapped in cloth, or in a north-south direction. The body shouldn’t be in touch with the ground, as this is essential. The presence of a wood stain on the corpse is the only indication that a wooden coffin was used. The deceased were usually buried with their jewellery on, which included earrings for the men and steatite beads and shell bangles for the women. Only female bodies have been obtained with copper mirrors, indicating the gender-specificity of grave goods.

Burials Found at Kalibangan

Three different types of burials are found at Kalibangan, the other major cemetery.

• Type 1: Skeletal remains were discovered with the victims, which were placed in a position like R-37.
• Type 2: Circular pits utilized for pot burials. Large pots which were found buried in pits that were either rectangular or round but didn’t contain any skeletal remains are classified as Type 3.
• Type-1 burials feature skeletal remains in the horizontal position and are remarkably similar to those at R-37. The burial of individuals stuffed inside pots and known to as “pot burials” is an unusual and uncommon style of burial.

There are plenty of unusual burials among the many different burials in the area of the Harappan civilization, but the vast majority of common funerals are based on social class and hierarchy. like the R-37, Kalibangan Cemetery, Cemetery H at Harappa, etc. Therefore, the society of Harappan people was one that respected social hierarchy and class structure highly.

Conclusion

The investigation of Harappa’s Cemetery R 37 provides insight into the mysterious realm of the Indus Valley Civilization. As a quiet historian of the past, it begs for more investigation and advances our knowledge of the intriguing realm of the Indus Valley Civilization as a whole.

FAQs

Were cemeteries an important part of the Harappan culture?

Indeed, cemeteries played an important part in the Harappan culture. They offer significant information on the social structure and funeral practices of the ancient people.

Which burial customs were employed in Harappan cemeteries?

Different kinds of burials are found in the Harappan cemeteries, including primary burials, in which individuals were buried directly in the ground, and secondary burials, in which skeletal remains were reburied after decay.

Were grave items discovered in Harappan graves?

Grave goods have, in fact, been discovered in Harappan cemeteries. These include ceramics, ornamentation, tools, and other objects that have been buried with people, probably as sacrifices or as status and wealth symbols.

What can we learn about the culture of the Harappan people from studying the cemeteries?

Understanding the burial customs, social structure, and cultural values of the Harappan civilization can be learned from study on their tombs. It helps in the understanding of certain aspects of their social and religious lives by archaeologists and researchers.

Are the Harappan cemeteries open today?

A few Harappan cemeteries have been found and are now a part of open-to-the-public archaeological sites.