Author: Express News Service
Publication: ExpressIndia.com
Date: February 23, 2007
URL: http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=223720#
The excavations in Rakhigarhi, situated in
Hisar, Haryana, have pushed back the history of civilisation by more than
500 years. "It is the largest Harappan site ever found," said the
director of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), New Delhi, Dr Amerendra
Nath, while delivering a lecture on 'Rakhigarhi - A Harappan Metropolis' at
the ICSSR Complex, Panjab University, today. The lecture was organised by
the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, PU.
"The site yielded finds of the early
Harappan and mature Harappan phase," said Dr Nath. He said that features
like knowledgeof writing, use of wedge-shaped bricks and town planning, earlier
thought to be present in the mature phase i.e 2500 BC, were discovered to
be present in the early phase i.e 3000 BC. Evidence of well-planned towns
were found, he said.
Dr Nath designated two periods in the early
Harappan phase - pre-formative and formative. "The pre-formative period
yielded circular structures and showed no formal planning. Whereas, the formative
period exhibited planned structures. Burnt bricks were much in use during
the early Harappan phase," said Dr Nath.
The mature Harappan phase yielded a granary,
with evidence of grain, fire altars and potters kiln. There was evidence of
various crafts such as bead- making, bangle making, seal manufacturing, gold
making, carpentry and terracotta making, practised by the people. Fish hooks
were also discovered, pointing to the fact that the people practised fishing.
Mirrors, tops, whistles arrowheads, rattles and tops were found. There is
evidence to show that hopscotch was also played.
Dr Nath said this site is very rich in antiquities
and extensive excavations in future can throw more light on various debatable
issues. He however added that limited excavation was taken up because people
are residing on the area.
The ASI has compiled a catalogue of symbols
occurring in the Harappan context. The other projects include refurbishing
of museums, preparing plans for management of World Heritage sites and undertaking
conservation projects. Some projects are also in progress in Cambodia and
Pakistan.
Prof Devendra Handa in his presidential remarks
stressed on the need to excavate the site on a larger scale, which would acquaint
us with detailed picture of this site and broader picture of rich Harappan
civilisation.
Chairman of AIHC and Archaeology, Prof Ashvini
Agrawal also spoke on the occasion.
