Context:
Archaeologists, have unearthed a 5,200-year-old Harappan settlement at Padta Bet
Padta Bet:
- Location – Gujarat’s Kachchh district
- Near Juna Khatiya, an early Harappan necropolis
- Highlights of recent excavation –
- Revealed evidence of Early Harappan to Late Harappan period occupation, including pottery, artefacts, animal bones, and structural remains.
- Unique ceramics suggest a local pottery tradition
- Artefacts such as semi-precious stone beads, tools, and animal bones indicate animal domestication and shellfish exploitation.
Important Harappan sites:
Harappa, Pakistan
- River – Ravi River
- Important findings – Granaries, Bullock carts and Copper Chariot
Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan
- River – Indus River
- Important findings – Bronze dancing girl in Tribhanga pose, Seal of Pasupathi Mahadeva, Steatite Statue of Beard Man, Great Bath and Granary
Sutkagendor, Pakistan
- A trade point between Harappa and Babylon.
Chanhudaro, Pakistan
- Known as the craft village of Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC)
Kalibangan, Rajastan
- River – Ghaggar River
- Important findings – Camel bones, Wooden plough, Ritualistic Fire altar, Discovery of a ploughed field and Evidence of earliest datable earthquake
Kot Diji, Pakistan
- Represents Early phase of IVC.
Rangpur, Gujarat
- River: Madar river
- Important finding – Plant remains (rice, millets and bajara)
Ropar, Punjab
- River – Sutlej River
Lothal, Gujarat
- River – Bhogava river
- Important findings – Dockyard, Rice husk, Fire altars
- Current significance – Location of proposed National Maritime Heritage Complex
Alamgirpur, Uttar Pradesh
- River – Yamuna River
- Significance – Easternmost IVC site
Rakhigarhi, Haryana
- Represents all 3 phases – Early, Mature and Later IVC phases
- Important finding – Necropolis (a large burial site)
Dholavira, Gujarat
- Important findings – Complex Water harnessing system, Water reservoir
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
Other important sites –
- Surkotada, Gujarat
- Banawali, Haryana
- Sadikpur Sinauli, Uttar Pradesh (Harappan Necropolis)
- Manda, Jammu & Kashmir
- Ganweriwala, Pakistan
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) Chanhudaro
(b) Kot Diji
(c) Sohgaura
(d) Desalpur
Answer: (c)
