Archaeological sites hold important clues to complex climate-human relationships of the past. Human settlements in the peripheral zone of Indus culture (Gujarat, western India) are of considerable importance in the assessment of past monsoon-human-subsistence-culture relationships and their survival thresholds against climatic stress exerted by abrupt changes. During the mature phase of Harappan culture between ~4,600–3,900yrsBP, the ~4,100±100yrsBP time slice is widely recognized as one of the major, abrupt arid-events imprinted innumerous well-dated palaeo records. However, the veracity of this dry event has not been established from any archaeological site representing the Indus (Harappan) culture, and issues concerning timing, changes in subsistence pattern, and the likely causes of eventual abandonment (collapse) continue to be debated. Here we show a significant change in crop-pattern (from barley-wheat based agriculture to ‘drought-resistant’ millet-based crops) at ~4,200 yrs BP, based on abundant macrobotanical remains and C isotopes of soil organic matter (δ13CSOM) in an archaeological site at Khirsara, in the Gujarat state of western India. The crop-change appears to be intentional and was likely used as an adaptation measure in response to deteriorated monsoonal conditions. The ceramic and architectural remains of the site indicate that habitation survived and continued after the ~4,200yrsBP dry climatic phase, but with declined economic prosperity. Switching to millet-based crops initially helped inhabitants to avoid immediate collapse due to climatic stresses, but continued aridity and altered cropping pattern led to a decline in prosperity levels of inhabitants and eventual abandonment of the site at the end of the mature Harappan phase.
Here we present direct dates of food grains and insights into agricultural strategies adopted by Harappans from a newly excavated Indus site 4MSR (Binjor) in northwestern India. The site revealed Early and Mature Harappan phases delimited by a Transitional phase based on ceramics and archaeological artifacts. The macro-botanical remains revealed that the site was occupied by an agricultural society during the Early phase (~2900−2600 BCE), whereas diversification of the economy including more craft specialization, along with an agricultural advancement was witnessed during the Mature phase (~2500−1800 BCE). The advent of summer crops during the Transitional phase (~2600−2500 BCE) indicates climate amelioration attributed to inception of strong Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM). By the end of Mature phase, millet was recorded due to a change in climatic (relatively lower moisture) conditions or drying of the river channel, which forced the settlers to shift the cropping (agricultural) strategy in the region. Plausibly, this unavailability of water during the end of Mature phase led the settlers to abandon the site in order to migrate somewhere else. The subsistence pattern indicates continuity and change in temporal domain likely owing to changing climatic/environmental conditions, resources and knowledge gained by exchange/trade of cultures over a time period between ~2900 BCE to 1800 BCE.
Background: The aim of the study was to study the awareness, myths and menstrual practices in young girls in a tertiary care center.Methods: Predesigned structured questionnaire based study was done in 180 girls between the age group 13 to17 years, in the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi. Informed consent was taken before filling up the questionnaire.Results: The participants were ignorant about the importance of proper hygiene and faced a lot restrictions related to daily life during their periods. 68% participants lacked adequate knowledge about the physiology of menstruation. 45% girls were informed regarding menstruation by mothers, sisters and friends whereas teachers played a limited role. 30% girls were using sanitary pads, while most were still using homemade cloths. Pads were being reused in every cycle and they were dried in damp places, preferably during night. Lack of awareness and appropriate care for menstrual morbidities was seen in these girls, which affects their educational attainment. Age old myths and practices still have a lot of impact on the Indian household.Conclusions: Ignorance and myths regarding menstruation still prevail in our society. The need of the hour is starting educational campaigns and schools based initiatives which can educate the girls. Thought should be given in manufacturing low cost sanitary pads as a national program. People especially in the rural set up should be encouraged to improve women’s social and reproductive health situation and counselling should be provided in relation to sanitation and disposal.
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