Mineralogical and Thermal Analyses of a Bangle Shard from Harrappa, an Indus Valley Settlement in Pakistan

TL;DR

This study analyzes a terracotta bangle shard from Harrappa, revealing bentonite clay as the main component and estimating its firing temperature through mineralogical and thermal analysis.

Contribution

It is the first to identify bentonite clay as the primary mineral in a Harrappa bangle shard and to predict its firing temperature using combined mineralogical and thermal data.

Findings

Bentonite clay was the major constituent of the shard.

The firing temperature of the shard was estimated based on analysis.

Mineralogical and thermal methods provided complementary insights.

Abstract

In this research study we present initial results of a recent project in which mineralogical and thermal analysis were carried out on a terracotta bangle shard from Harrappa. We were surprised to find bentonite clay as the major constituent of the bangle shard. Also we have used knowledge of the mineralogical structure determined through X-ray diffraction and results of thermal analysis to predict value of firing temperature of the bangle shard.