Which among the following materials was used in making the Harappan seals ?

The Harappan seal is considered the most distinctive artifact of the Indus Valley Civilization [2]. These seals were primarily made from a soft river stone known as steatite [1]. While other materials such as copper, terracotta, ivory, gold, and faience were occasionally used for seal production, steatite remained the standard and most common medium [3]. These seals typically featured animal motifs and a pictographic script that remains undeciphered [2]. They served multiple purposes, including acting as identity markers for trade and ownership, and potentially as amulets [2]. While materials like lapis lazuli and jasper were used by the Harappans for making beads and ornaments, they were not the primary material for the characteristic square or rectangular seals. Steatite's softness allowed for the intricate carving of the detailed iconography found on these artifacts.

Sources

1. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones > Bricks, Beads and Bones The Harappan Civilisation > p. 1
2. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Early India: From the Beginnings to the Indus Civilisation > Seals, Sealing and Scripts > p. 12
3. [3] https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/lehs101.pdf