Haryana: ASI starts fresh excavation at Harappan site in Rakhigarhi

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) kicked off a fresh phase of excavation at the Harappan site in Rakhigarhi village on Thursday. Director General, ASI, YS Rawat, who inaugurated the project, said the dig would focus on studying the town-planning of the ancient site, which is believed to be about 5,000 years old.“The excavation effort until now was largely aimed at determining the chronological order of the Harappan era and was carried out on the main mounds of the site. It helped us understand different phases, houses, trade activities and external business links. Household items and seals were also found over the years,” he said, adding that the efforts helped in understanding various phases of the Indus Valley Civilisation.Rawat said the new excavation would focus on gaining an understanding of the time’s town planning and finding out whether the seven mounds formed one large block or different habitation sectors. “The excavation will look into the impact of the Dristavati river, which used to flow along the township, on habitation across the civilisation’s history. This will give us insights into the ecosystem adopted by the population and help us find out if the city was walled,” he added.Rawat said the initial phase of the three-year excavation project would focus on the three peripheral mounds, numbered one, two and three, to get a sense of the peripheral area and the extension of the township.During excavations in 2024, an ASI team discovered a skeleton, purportedly over 4,000 years old. The then director of excavation, Sanjay K Manjul, had said that 21 sand-made utensils were also recovered behind the skeleton head. Archaeologists have termed Rakhigarhi as one of the largest sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Spanning over 400 hectares in Rakhigarhi and its adjoining villages, it is divided into seven mounds. Excavations indicate that it was a major metropolis of its time, a well-planned town with separate residential, industrial and institutional areas. The ASI declared portions of the site protected in 1998. Later, Deccan College, Pune, carried out excavation work and reported significant discoveries related to culture, artefacts and the physical and biological traits of the people of the time. As many as 60 skeletons have been found at mound number seven, which is believed to be a burial site. Deccan College discovered 36 skeletons during excavation exercises in 2015–16.

Haryana: ASI starts fresh excavation at Harappan site in Rakhigarhi

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Haryana: ASI starts fresh excavation at Harappan site in Rakhigarhi

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

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