The oldest discovered comb in the ancient world comes from Kalibangan. Here, a 2500 years old ivory comb was discovered. Kalibangan is one of the key Sindhu Saraswati Civilization sites that was situated near the bank of Saraswati River.
The image of the comb is shown below. You can see the swirl patterns on the comb which were primarily used for decorative purposes.
About Kalibangan
Kalibangan is well known from two unique things: a ploughed field and fire altars. Ploughed field provides evidence of its agricultural advancement in its time during 2800 BCE to 2600 BCE. Fire altars on the other hand was dated to 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE which establishes a direct link to Vedic ritualistic practices, much before the previously thought extant of the Vedic Era.
Other artefacts from Kalibangan include:
- Pottery
- Painted Pottery: Pottery with geometric patterns, including zigzag lines, concentric circles, and floral motifs.
- Pre-Harappan Pottery: Handmade and wheel-made pottery with simple designs.
- Harappan Pottery: Finely made pottery, often with black designs on a red background.
- Tools and Implements
- Copper tools, including blades, chisels, and arrowheads.
- Stone tools, such as axes and microliths.
- Bone tools used for crafting or daily activities.
- Comb made out of ivory.
- Ornaments
- Beads made of semi-precious stones (e.g., carnelian, agate, and steatite).
- Terracotta bangles and pendants.
- Shell bangles and ornaments.
- Seals and Sealings
- Rectangular and circular seals, primarily made of terracotta.
- Seals with geometric and animal motifs (e.g., bulls and other animals).
- Evidence of seal impressions, possibly used for trade or administrative purposes.
- Terracotta Objects
- Figurines of animals, such as bulls and birds.
- Human figurines, including male and female forms, often interpreted as toys or objects of worship.
- Miniature carts and wheels, indicating knowledge of transportation.
- Architectural and Ritual Artifacts
- Fire Altars: Rectangular burnt-brick structures, likely used for ritualistic practices. The existence of fire altars indicate vedic practices which pushes back the Vedic age (along with the rediscovery of Saraswati River). Altars were found in both upper town and lower town showing the existence of social segregation. Otherwise, there would be altars present in upper or lower town only, as per the earlier belief of using upper town for non-residential purposes.
- Ploughed Field: Evidence of a prehistoric agricultural field with a grid of furrows. Use of plough show advanced agricultural practices.
- Mudbrick structures, including homes and platforms. Fired bricks were uncommon but present in Kalibangan.
- Weights and Measures
- Cubical weights made of stone, adhering to the standardized system used across the Indus Valley Civilization. Standardization of weights show the increased focus on trade which was the major economic activity in Sindhu Saraswati cities.
- Miscellaneous Artifacts
- Spindle whorls, used in textile production.
- Terracotta cakes, possibly used in baking or rituals.
- Stone and terracotta gaming pieces.