History and Art and Culture
In News: ASI’s excavation at Harappan site of Rakhigarhi
Rakhigarhi
- It is a Harappan site in Haryana’s Hisar district
- Rakhigarhi is the largest Harappan site in the Indian subcontinent
- The site is located in the Sarasvati river plain, some 27 km from the seasonal Ghaggar river
- At Rakhigarhi, the excavations are being done to trace its beginnings and to study its gradual evolution from 6000 BCE (Pre-Harappan phase) to 2500 BCE.
Finidings
Ongoing Excavation
- The excavation have revealed the structure of some houses, lanes and drainage system, and what could possibly be a jewellery-making unit
- The ASI has also has also revealed pieces of copper and gold jewellery, terracotta toys, besides thousands of earthen pots and seals at excavation
- The noteworthy antiquity found at both the mounds (1 & 3) include steatite seals, terracotta unbaked sealing with relief of elephants and Harappan script.
Previous excavation – Major finidings
- A cylindrical seal with 5 Harappan characters on one side and a symbol of an alligator on the other is an important find from this site.
- Animal sacrificial pit lined with mud-brick and triangular and circular fire altars on the mud floor have also been excavated that signifies the ritual system of Harappans
- Findings also included blades; terracotta and shell bangles, beads of semi precious stones, and copper objects; animal figurines, toy cart frame and wheel of terracotta; bone points; inscribed steatite seals and sealings.
Source: Indian Express, The Hindu
Previous Year Questions
Q.1) Which one of the following ancient towns is well known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelising water into connected reservoirs? (2021)
- Dholavira
- Kalibangan
- Rakhigarhi
- Ropar
Q.2) Which one of the following is not a Harappan site? (2019)
- Chanhudaro
- Kot Diji
- Sohgaura
- Desalpur
