Harappan Civilizations & the Aryan Migration (ca. 2300-1750 B.C.E.)
Artist: unknown
Title: "Sacrifice" Seal
Material: Steatite
Site: Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan
Current Location: National Museum of Pakistan (Karachi Museum), Pakistan
Period/Date: Indus/Harrapa Civilization/ ca. 2300-1750 B.C.E.
Iconography/Iconology: Known as the"Sacrifice" seal, this
is one of seven seals that shows a priest in front of a tree with a figure
in a tree or simply a figure. Both the figure in the tree and the figure
kneeling in front of it are identical suggesting that some sort of identity
transfer ritual (where the practitioner becoms the deity) is taking place.
There is a composite bovid with a human face and antelope horns behind the
offerer and a tray of offering materials in front of him. In the foreground
are seven human figures which are frequently called "acolytes",
but their actual function is unknown. What is important about this seal
is that it suggests a continuity of religious methodologies that exist to
the present day. Identity transfer, puja (offering), and obeisence
are fundemental to all forms of traditional Indic religions. (see following
page for a graphic representation).
Stylistic Comments:
