A group of archaeologists from the Oxford University have unearthed a new Harappan settlement near Dholavira known as Lodrani.

Background of Discovery:

Residents of a village in the Kutch region of Gujarat hunted for gold since five years. However, their search led them to stumble on a much more significant breakthrough.

The breakthrough was the excavation of a Harappan-era settlement. This milestone was such an important discovery that archaeologists from Oxford University later joined the quest for advancing research.

Lodrani is a small village located 51 kilometres away from Dholavira which has already been recognized as a World Heritage Site.

The locals of the village were driven by a sense of adventure and spirit to find the fabled gold that is supposed to be buried in their village and thereafter the villagers started to dig that area.

Accidentally, the discovery of a Harappan-based settlement which delineated the previous myths and directed the study towards the ancient civilisational history of India.

Findings at Lodrani

• Ajay Yadav and Damian Robinson, from Oxford's School of Archaeology led to a study that contributed to the discovery of a well-preserved Harappan settlement called Morodharo. This settlement resembles in it's architectural style with Dholavira.
• Initially, this site was mistaken for a medieval fortress. Surprisingly, this site is a testimony to the evidence of a flourishing civilisation which existed some 4500 BCE.
• The site has been home to a considerable amount of Harappan pottery that is similar to Dholavira. It is indicative of the fact that there must have been some connection between the two settlements.
• Experts suggest that Morodharo displays the characteristics of a Mature to Late Harappan period (2,600-1300 BCE) which throws some highlights on the ancient chronology of the region.

About Dholavira:

• This archaeological site is located in the Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat at Khadir Bet Island.
• It was discovered by the archaeologist Jagat Pati Joshi in 1968.
• It dates back from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE.
• This site is a home to numerous artefacts such as terracotta pottery, gold and copper ornaments, beads, seals, and traces of a water reservoir. An elaborate drainage system. Trade, fishing vessels and different commodities to suggest an overseas trade.
• It has also found the unique stone that is associated with the Harappan inscriptions, well-built fortifications and funeral architecture along with multilayered defences.

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References:

• utkarsh.com
• www.notopedia.com
• www.indiatimes.com