Indus Valley Civilization Story Map

Tiger Seals?

 “There are at least 18 examples of "human and tiger" motifs in Indus glyptic art” ( Possehl 2008). Some of the motifs include the Pashupati motif, the Hero grasping tigers Motif, the Tree god or goddess motif, and the Solo tiger motif.

Picture from (Vats 1940)

When?

"At the Harappa site, neither characteristic seals nor inscriptions were found during the Ravi phase." (Kenoyer and Meadow 2010). The Ravi phase started at least 3800 BCE and was the first phase of the Harappan occupation. The Indus started living in small villages at this time. After, the Ravi Phase is the early, middle, and late phases. Seals and inscriptions are present throughout these phases, until the decline, where they fade out of the archaeological record.

Purpose?

"The thick jungles of the Indus Valley were full of tigers and leopards, so it is not surprising that the image of a ferocious feline is a recurring motif in ritual narratives on seals as well as molded tablets.” (Kenoyer 1998, 114) Tigers are native to the Indus valley region and were likely an identity symbol for the Indus.

Material?

The Indus generally made their seals with steatite. The stone is also called soapstone is found all over the world. It is commonly preferred for carvings and small sculptures

An Indus motif is a tiger looking back over its shoulder can be found throughout Indian folk literature.

Picture from (Vats 1940)

Tiger Seal

"Tigers can be distinguished by their prominent stripes, exaggerated claws, and tails" (Rao 2009: 324).

Picture from (Vats 1940)

Mohenjo-daro

Today, located in Sindh Pakistan, Mohenjo-Daro was the largest urban center in the Indus valley.

Pashupati Seal M-420

The Pashupati seal features a human/male figure, who is illustrated sitting down and surrounded by various animals including a tiger. The Pashupati seal is believed by some archaeologists to be an Indus prototype of Shiva (PB 2021).

2350-2000 BCE

3.56 cm x 3.53 cm x 0.76 cm

Steatite

Picture from (Mackay 1937-39)

Tree God and Tiger Seal Pl.XCVI.522

The seal features a human-like figure in a tree, a tiger peering over its shoulder, and the Indus script. Archaeologists believe the figure in the tree is a god or goddess because of the hairstyle and the extended arm (Ameri, et al. 2018). Seals are the major sources of the Indus script, and the Indus script is yet to be undeciphered (Possehl 2007).

(Mackay 1937-1938)

Tiger Seal Pl. LI.19 

The Seal is fragmented and features a tiger peering over its shoulder. The seal is fractured where the script may have been.

Picture from (Mackay 1943)

Tree Goddess and Tiger Seal Pl. CXI.355

The seal features a tiger peering over its shoulder at a figure in a tree. The figure is crouching in the tree and appears to extend an arm out. Indus script is present on the seal.

Picture from (Marshall 1931)

Deity Strangling Tigers Seal

Seal depicts one man who is grabbing two tigers by their throats.

Picture from (Parpola 2010)

Tree Goddess encounter with a Tiger seal M-1919 A col

A fractured seal depicts a physical encounter between a woman and a tiger. The tiger on this seal appears to have horns, While the woman has a headdress. The seal also contains the Indus script

Picture from (Vats 1940)

Seals are often milimeter to centimeters in size

Picture from (Bala, et al. 2015)

Harappa

Harappa is an archaeological site located in Punjab, Pakistan. It is the first site to be excavated and is the type site for all Indus sites which is why some people call the Indus Valley civilization, The Harappan civilization.

Tiger Motif Pl. XCIII.308

Tiger is peering over its shoulder at a figure in a tree.

Picture from (Vats 1940)

(Hero Grasping Tiger)

A Harappan seal depicts a manly hero grasping a tiger by the throat with each hand. The Seal also features Indus script across the top.

Picture from (Vats 1940)

Lothal

A port city that was located in the Bhal region of modern Gujarat, one of the southernmost cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.

Kalibangan

Located on the left or southern bank of the Ghaggar Hakra River in Tehsil Pilibangan, in the district of Hanumangarh in Rajasthan, India. 

Tree Goddess Seal

The figure is sitting in Acacia Tree looking at the Tiger. Tiger is also looking back at the figure at the tree.

"Steatite 32.5 x 32.5 x 7 mm"

(Bala, et al. 2015)

H-94 A col

Tiger Seal features the Indus script and a solo tiger.

(Vats 1940)

Headless tiger

Fragmented and possibly was illustrated with a human head

"Buff steatite 19.5 x 19 x 4 mm"

(Bala, et al. 2015)