Karanpura in northern Rajasthan was the site of an excavation from 2010-2013 that uncovered artifacts from the Early and Mature Harappan periods. A large number of antiquities were found including seals, beads of steatite, terracotta and semi-precious stones. Ceramic artifacts displayed bichrome designs as well as graffiti motifs. Thousands of terracotta bangles and items like toys and wheels were also found. Evidence like grinding stones and spindle whorls suggest textile production as well as long distance trade of materials like lapis lazuli that were not locally available. The site appears to have been an important trade hub connecting to other major Harappan sites

1. Topic : Karanpura as a craft producing center
Under the supervison of: Suchira Roy Chaudhuri
Name : Aishi Sarkar
MA Semester: III
Paper :S4

2. Introduction
Karanpura located in Northern part of Rajasthan on the river of
Drishadvati or Chauthang which is the tributaries of Saraswati ie
rival of Ghaggar Hakra River system. Near Karampura on the
radius of 60 km they are several main site of Harappan culture
they are Kalibangan,Rakhigari, Banawali, Roopnagar etc. The
site was first discovered in the year 2010 and excavation started
work in December 2012 continue till May 2013 under the
supervision of VN Prabhakar and his team from ASI Delhi.

6. Artefacts found at Karanpura
The excavation at Karanpura have revealed large number of
antiquarian remains a various categories and belong to both early
Happan and mature Harappan of steatite, beads of steatite,
terracotta, semi precious stones ,gold ,lapiz lazuli, bangles of
terracotta ,The antiquarian and remains consist of seals terracotta
,shell, copper, rings of copper, spindle whorl of terracotta, bones
points, copper spearheads, Arrow heads etc

8. Ceramic
• Ceramic type
• Bichrome ware
• Red pottery with decoration
• Grey ware of Sathi Siswal phase
. Red pottery with shallow exterior incised decoration.
Star pattern bichrome pattern, checker pattern multiple triangle pattern graffiti
i.e. geometric pattern

10. Graffiti
Graffiti visible in animal, graffiti in rim, shoulder and body portion of
the ceramics. A total of 157 instances of graffiti has discovered from
the excavation the object types include potsherds terracotta rings .
A lot of Pottery is will graffiti like ethed jar ,bowl ,pot ,dish ,cup
and miniature vessels were discovered. The pointed motives
include typical mature Harappan varieties of intersecting circle
and pipal life

12. Beads and Stones
Beads are various materials like agate, jasper, carnelian, amazonite, lapis
lazuli, faience are all indications of the diversification of materials access to
this kinds of beads either in finished form or some short of manufacturing
taking place at the site.
The presence of grinding stone in other stone artefacts like mullers, pounder at
Karanpura . The raw materials were produced from Kailana hills, Haryana
Ghaggar river bed , lower Shiwaliks. The material used for manufacture include
quartzite sandstone and granite it is interesting to note that Kailana quartzite went
as far as Harappa which is clear indication of long distance such stones for which
Karanpura would have participated in bigger manner. The presents of grinding
stone at Karanpura is a clear indication of processed food.

13. Terracotta
Antiquities which have been found are terracotta pieces of various
sizes and shapes. The terracotta pieces are found in triangular
circular rectangle shaped. Terracotta bangles were found in
thousands of number rough estimate puts the total number at
around 50,000.
The other terracotta antiquities such as toys ,cart frames, wheels
,beads ,spindle, whorls ,animal figurines

16. Spindle whorls and Copper artefacts
There have considered number spindle whorls with graffiti
symbol which indicate shining of cotton cloth or wool. Two types
of spindle whorls smaller 18 - 26 gm and bigger 40 8 gm. Smaller
whorls identified with spinning of finer thread. Similar variety of
whorl notice from Harappa. From this evidence we can say that
there may be presents of textile industry.
Copper artefacts consists of a mirror, arrowheads is similar to
other examples found from other Harappan sites except with the
fact that the Karanpura example has a curved handle the mirror
is very thin.

18. Conclusion
To sum up we can say that, Karanpura has revealed two cultural phases -
Early and Mature phases transitional phase. The Harappan period at
Karanpura appears to be marked with the arrival typical Harappan ceramic
forms and shapes, continuation of beads industry of steatite, with addition of
large disc beads continuation of stone beads industry. The addition of new
raw materials for grinding stone came from Kailana hills in Haryana and low
Siwalik area is a clear indication of long distance trade mechanism. Other
evidences for long distance trade comes in the form of usage of exotic
materials like lapis lazuli, agate, carnelian, jasper, shell etc. were not
available locally.VN Prabhakar suggest that despite being a small city
during that period, it was among a major hub of trade. A lot of spindle whorls
with equal symbol suggest presence of grid or political entity and different
seals suggest the possibility of long distance trade