Harappan People Ate High-Protein, Multi-Grain Laddoos Made Of Cereals And Pulses: Study Reveals

A contemporary of the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations, the Harappan civilization was the first urban civilization in South Asia. Dating back to around 4,000 years, it roughly encompassed modern day Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and Pakistan.

While it is known that they displayed tremendous advancements in town planning and organization, it is believed they were also conscious of the food they ate.

IANS

It has been found that they consumed high-protein, multigrain ¡®laddoos¡¯, according to a study. This was revealed by a scientific study which examined the material found during an excavation in Rajasthan, News18 reported.

Jointly conducted by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), New Delhi, the study was recently published in the ¡®Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports¡¯ by Elsevier.

Also read: A Traditional Art Form Still Practiced In Bengal Finds Its Roots In The Harappan Civilisation

IANS

At least seven ¡®laddoos¡¯ were discovered in 2017 during the excavation of a Harappan archaeological site in Binjor in western Rajasthan (near Pakistan border) between 2014 and 2017.

BSIP senior scientist Rajesh Agnihotri told news agency IANS, ¡°Seven similar big-size brown ¡®laddoos¡¯, two figurines of bulls and a hand-held copper adze (a tool similar to an axe, used for cutting or shaping wood) were excavated by the ASI at the Harappan site in Anupgarh district of Rajasthan."

¡°These laddoos, dating back to around 2600 BCE, were found well preserved since a hard structure had fallen in such a manner that it acted as a roof over them and prevented them from getting crushed. Had they been broken, the ¡®laddoos¡¯ would have decayed entirely but since these were in contact with the mud, some of the internal organic matter and other green constituents remained protected," he added.

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Representational Image/ASI

Primary microscopic investigations carried out by BSIP senior scientist Anjum Farooqui, provided clues on the composition of the laddoos and found that contained barley, wheat, chickpea and a few other oilseeds.

The presence of pulses, starch and protein was further confirmed by discovery of significant excesses of magnesium, calcium and potassium. ¡°These laddoos had cereal and pulses, and moong dal dominated the ingredients,¡± the scientist said.

Full organic geochemistry of the food balls was later conducted at BSIP and National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) in Lucknow.

A team of nine scientists and archaeologists from the two institutes concluded that the presence of seven laddoos along with typical Harappan tools/items hinted that Harappan people made offerings, performed rituals and consumed multi-nutritive compact ¡®laddoos¡¯ as a food supplement for instant nutrition.

Also read: 5000-Year-Old Harappan-Era Skeletons Found At The Biggest Excavation Site In Haryana