Review of Material Culture in Interiors and Products: A Contrast of Sustainability Between Heritage and Contemporary Era

Abstract

This analytical review paper evaluates the sustainability of material culture in interiors and products by contrasting the heritage practices of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) with contemporary industrial paradigms. Focusing on three primary materials: terracotta, metal, and stone across functional categories such as wall art, sculptures, toys, daily use objects, weapons, tools, and pottery, this study utilises modern environmental metrics, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Embodied Energy analysis. The findings demonstrate that IVC material culture operated on a closed-loop, highly circular economy that relied on localized extraction and biocompatible materials. In stark contrast, contemporary production relies heavily on linear "take-make-dispose" models, high-embodied-energy extraction, and toxic synthetic polymers. By mapping these categorical differences, this paper authenticates the ecological superiority of heritage circularity and discusses how ancient technological paradigms, such as passive thermal mass architecture and infinite metallurgical recycling, can inform the future scope of sustainable design in the modern era.