Archaeologists reconstruct the past by its material evidence. The material evidence. The material evidence include seal, pottery, tools, ornaments, household objects. The material that survive are generally made of stone, burnt clay and metals. All these materials are found in the excavation of sites.
(a) Skulls, bones, jaws, teeth of the dead bodies and materials kept with these dead bodies are also helpful for archaeologists, botanists and zoologists to study the plants and animal bones found at different places.
(b) Archaeologists try to find out the tools used in the process of cultivation and harvesting. They also try to find out traces of wells, canals, tanks, etc. as they served means of irrigation.
(c ) Different layers of sites are observed to find out different things. These give the picture of socio-economic condition such as religious life and cultural life of the people.
(d) Tools, unfinished products, waste materials, help in identitying the centres of craft production. Indirect evidences also help the archaeologist in reconstructing the past.
(e ) (i) Archaeologists develop frames of references. Harappan seal help in constructing the concept of religious belief of the period. Seals depict religious scenes as one-horned animal, often called the unicorn depicted on the seals appear mythical, compositive creatures.
(ii) In some seals, a figure has been shown sitting crossed legs in a yogic posture. All these, represent the religious concept of the period.
