The Indus Valley Civilisation occupied the area around the Indus River, spreading across what is now Pakistan, northeast Afghanistan, and northwest India, from around 3300 BC until 1300 BC. Following the advent of agriculture, village settlements spread across the Indus Valley, later growing into bigger communities which can be considered cities. Several crops were domesticated, including peas, dates, and cotton, as well as animals such as the water buffalo. By 2600 BC, large urban centres were emerging. These sites show evidence of city planning, including protective walls and one of the earliest urban sanitation systems, whereby groups of houses obtained their water from nearby wells and were able to dispose of their waste water into a covered drain system. Common artefacts include seals, terracotta items, a small number of stone sculptures, and some gold jewellery and bronze vessels. Some of the seals are decorated with symbols which are thought to constitute an undeciphered writing system, known as the Indus Script.

This bronze plate has impressively thin edges, giving it a sense of delicacy. However, the base has a solid feel to it, making it a sturdy object. In the centre of the plate there is a shallow relief image of a bull. It is standing in a peaceful position, with its back legs slightly apart, and its tail hanging downwards. The animal has a hump on its back, suggesting that it is a representation of a zebu or its ancestor, the Indian auroch. The animal’s head, which is in the deepest relief, is turned towards the viewer. Its ears and horns are clearly shown, but it has no facial features.