gems, ancient gemology, early gemology, ancient mineralogy, glyptic, beads, lapidary, agate, carnelian, steatite, Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, shell, ceramic, terracotta, Indian lapidary

This paper will discuss some of the theoretical and methodological issues that are being addressed in the current research on craft production and technology in the Harappan Phase of the Indus Valley Tradition (c. 2600–1900 BC) (Shaffer 1991; Kenoyer 1991a). In presenting these issues we will highlight some of the recent new discoveries about Harappan technologies that serve to distinguish this society in the context of other early state level societies. Due to limited space it will not be possible to go into great detail about the specific crafts, but the selected bibliography at the end of the article will provide the reader with other sources of information.