Stumbling upon new discoveries about ancient civilizations can be quite exciting. This is precisely what 60 days of relentless excavation efforts earned archaeologists in Gujarat. They unearthed a vast burial site approximately 360 kilometers from Dholavira in the Kutch district.
The site is 300m x 300m in size and the experts found a human skeleton, they’ve estimated is around 5,000 years old. Their findings have succeeded in lending even more credence to the belief that a populous settlement once existed on this very spot. They believe the findings originate from the Harappan Civilization.
Their discoveries so far in a nutshell
- The mass burial site is estimated to have more than 250 graves. 26 of these have already been excavated.
2. Archaeologists who specialise in the Harappan civilization stated that the site is rectangular in shape. Discovered in Khatia village of Lakhpat taluka, the graves are around 4600-5200 years old.
3. Along with human skeletons, they’ve also unearthed animal remains. The archaeologists also found shell-like bangles, grinding stones, and blades.
4. Faculty of the two universities affirmed that the burial site had sound wall rocks in the east-west direction.
5. The largest grave is approximately 6.6 meters wide. Each of the graves contained pottery vessels along with the skeleton. A maximum of 19 and a minimum of three artefacts were found placed close to the feet of the body.
The faculty of Kutch University and Kerala University have been conducting a joint excavation effort at the site. According to TOI, Suresh Bhandari, head of Department of Archeology at Kutch University shared-
“All the burial sites found in Gujarat till date are either circular or semi-circular. We are trying to establish the significance of this rectangular shape. The skeleton has been taken to Kerala University for determining its age, possible reason for death and knowing its gender,” Bhandari added.
Take a look at a video detailing images from the freshly excavated graves-
“Studies of the potteries, as well as rock blocks, will enhance our knowledge about the different techniques employed and the raw material used to make them,” said Bhandari.
The freshly unearthed artefacts are currently being examined by experts. They hope to use them to figure out ancient rituals and social customs that prevailed in the Harappan culture.
We can’t wait for more insight into mankind’s early existence. Can you?