A popular fashion accessory, beads play a significant role in archaeological studies, providing a window to cultures and civilizations

Beads are a fashion statement in today’s world. They are beautiful. And they can also tell us the story of a civilization. “The statue of the ‘Priest King’ from Mohenjo-daro is a remarkable discovery. The findings show that the headband depicted on the forehead of the Priest King consisted of a gold fillet with the centrepiece made up of a gold circlet and a steatite bead. The combination of all these elements clearly created an extraordinary, elite item” says Dr. V.N. Prabhakar, director (Exploration and Excavation, and Publication), Archaeological Survey of India. The archaeologist is guest professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar. He has carried out investigations on the bead drilling technology of Dholavira Harappans, and conducted excavations at Harappan culture sites. In an interview with this writer he explains the significant role that beads play in revealing various aspects of the Harappan or Indus Valley civilization.