Archaeologist Vijay Kumar has revealed the amazing finding of 4500-year-old copper harpoons in India that are decorated with human faces. A distinctive feature of the Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP) Culture, which was mostly centered in the Ganges Valley and stretched from Jalandhar in the west to Ayodhya in the east, are these antiquated items, which date to around 2500 BCE.
Distinctive Copper Artifacts of the OCP Culture
The OCP Culture, dating from 5000 BCE to 1700 BCE, is uniquely distinct from the Harappan civilization. Among the findings are a variety of copper weapons, such as spears, swords, axes, and chisels, and the rare, anthropomorphic harpoons—a hallmark of this culture. These artifacts showcase the advanced metalworking of the time, as the people of OCP practiced a unique technique of casting copper and then shaping it with precision through hammering, creating durable tools and weapons with sharp edges.
Weapons as Cultural Symbols
The OCP artifacts weren’t just functional; they held deep symbolic and cultural significance. Many of the villages within this culture stored secured caches of weapons, sometimes weighing between 100 to 250 kilograms. These weapons, often hidden in village centers, are unparalleled even in comparison to similar Harappan metal collections.
Iconography of Martial Deities
In addition to weaponry, the OCP Culture honored martial deities such as Garuda and Kartikeya, whose images were often carved into copper artifacts or displayed on coins. These figures were revered as protectors, a tradition carried forward into the Gupta period, during which emperors famously displayed Garuda on coins and battle standards.
A Unique Chapter in Ancient Metallurgy
The copperworking technique of the OCP Culture, with copper sourced from the mines of Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, is unique, with no known equivalent in other ancient civilizations. This discovery highlights the skill and technological advancement of India’s ancient societies, marking a pivotal point in global archaeological history.
This discovery sheds light on the complex cultural practices, spiritual beliefs, and remarkable technological accomplishments of the OCP Culture, offering a profound glimpse into India’s ancient past.
For more details, visit https://ijarch.org/issue/article/identification-of-horned-deity-on-harpoon-belonging-to-ocp-culture-found-from-nigohi-district-shahjahanpur-up-indiaapril-2023vijay-kumar
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