What is name of the material with which the Harappan Seal is made of?
Last updated May 13, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option C —
Steatite
The vast majority of the thousands of seals discovered at Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan) sites were made of Steatite, also known as soapstone. This was a soft silicate mineral that was easy to carve and became hardened after being fired in a kiln.
Key Characteristics of Harappan Seals
Shape and Design: Most seals were square or rectangular. They typically featured a pictographic script (which remains undeciphered) and an animal motif.
Common Motifs: The most famous motifs include the Unicorn (the most common), the Humped Bull, Elephant, Tiger, and the "Pashupati" (proto-Shiva) figure.
Purpose: They were primarily used for commercial purposes to stamp clay tags on bundles of goods. This ensured the authenticity of the sender and checked if the goods had been tampered with during transit.
Other Materials: While steatite was the most common, seals were also occasionally made of agate, chert, copper, faience, and terracotta.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
