Ongoing excavations at the massive Ganweriwala site in the Cholistan Desert have uncovered a specialized industrial quarter dedicated to the production of high-quality lacquerware. Researchers found several large terracotta vats containing residues of insect-derived shellac and tree resins, along with specialized bone applicators used for applying glossy coatings to wooden furniture and ceremonial vessels.
The presence of this studio suggests that the Indus Valley Civilization possessed an advanced understanding of organic chemistry and polymer-like coatings thousands of years earlier than previously documented. This discovery adds another layer to our understanding of Harappan luxury goods and their mastery over natural resources for aesthetic and functional purposes.