The correct option is (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
The Harappan Civilization, classified as a Bronze Age society, exhibited advanced craftsmanship in the utilization of various raw materials. Artisans worked with metals, stones, shell, and clay to produce tools, weapons, ornaments, and administrative objects.
- Statement 1 is Correct: Copper was a fundamental material in the Harappan toolkit. It was extensively used to manufacture a wide range of tools and weapons, including axes, chisels, knives, fishhooks, and spearheads.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, was widely used. Apart from tools and weapons, bronze was utilized to craft ornaments and vessels. Archaeological excavations have yielded bronze mirrors, pots, and pans, indicating its versatility in daily life.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Gold and silver were highly valued and used for making ornaments and vessels. Hoards of jewelry containing gold beads, armlets, and pendants, as well as silver vases, have been discovered at major sites like Mohenjodaro and Harappa.
- Statement 4 is Incorrect: Stone was essential for the Harappan economy, specifically for making weights. A precise system of weights was crafted from a stone called chert. These weights were typically cubical in shape, devoid of markings, and followed a binary system in lower denominations, used for weighing precious items.
Key Takeaway: The Harappans were skilled metallurgists of the Bronze Age who used copper and bronze for utilitarian and decorative purposes, gold and silver for luxury items, and chert stone for a standardized system of weights.