Early archaeologists thought that certain objects which seemed unusual or unfamiliar may have had a religious significance. Substantiate.

Early archaeologists thought that certain objects which seemed unusual or unfamiliar may have had a religious significance. For instance:

• The heavy jeweled terracotta figurines of women, with elaborate head-dresses, were regarded as mother goddesses.

• The stone statuary of men seated with one hand on the knee was identified as the “priest-king”.

• Historians have assigned ritual significance to the structures found in the Great Bath and fire altars found at Kalibangan and Lothal.

• Historians also examined seals to reconstruct religious beliefs and practices. For instance, plant motif indicated nature worship. one-horned animal, known as the “unicorn” was considered mythical, composite creatures. A cross-legged figure seated in a “yogic” posture, was regarded as “proto-shiva”. And finally, the conical stone objects were classified as lingas.