Traces of Dairy Production found in Indus Valley Civilisation

Traces of Dairy Production found in Indus Valley Civilisation

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I – Ancient history

In news

• Recently, a study by Indian and Canadian archaeologists has found that dairy products were being produced by the Harappans as far back as 2500 BCE.

Key takeaways 

• The finding reveals the earliest evidence of dairy production.
• The results are based on molecular chemical analysis of residue of pottery found at Kotada Bhadli, in Gujarat.
• The researchers were able to identify that cattles were used for dairy through a process called stable isotope analysis.

Important value additions 

Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) 

• It is also known as Harappan Civilization.
• It marks the beginning of Indian history. 
• It flourished around 2,500 BC, in the western part of South Asia, in contemporary Pakistan and Western India.
• In the 1920s, the Archaeological Department of India carried out excavations in the Indus valley wherein the ruins of the two old cities, viz. Mohenjodaro and Harappa were unearthed.
• In 1924, John Marshall, Director-General of the ASI, announced the discovery of a new civilisation in the Indus valley to the world.