The recent pit collapse at Gujarat's Lothal, which claimed the life of an IIT Delhi researcher, has brought attention to the archaeological site, which draws a lot of researchers.
The recent pit collapse at Gujarat's Lothal, which claimed the life of an IIT Delhi researcher, has brought attention to the archaeological site, which draws a lot of researchers.
Thus, Lothal as one of the most significant sites associated with the Indus Valley civilization has become the subject of work of researchers because of its historical and urban planning potential. The mishap took place when the respective team was carrying out its study of paleoclimatology which has been spearheaded by IIT Delhi and IIT Gandhinagar. It was reported that the pit collapse which trapped Verma and injured her professor was due to erosion or water logged soil conditions.
The ASI has started an inquiry with two major questions – firstly was the particular team working with the necessary permission, secondly were adequate measures for safety left unnoticed. ASI has also sent a team to Lothal to study the location so that such accidents do not occur again.
This occurrence has highlighted requirement no compromises on safety measures among other factors that require professional staff during such operations. It has also tried to expose the zeal and commitment of individuals such as Surabhi Verma who precariously puts life on line just to unearth facts about our ancestors. The event is a good lesson of what archaeologists go through and why it is so crucial to safeguard the heritage while protecting the diggers as well. Thus far, the case brings to the attention of the archaeological community as well as the general public various issues related to the exploration and the potential risks that may ensue.
Lothal
Lothal is one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites situated in the Western Indian state of Gujarat. What is left of the city today is clear evidence of the sophistication and brain underlying the Indus Valley civilization referred to as Harappan civilization. This site is now looking forward to researchers, historians and archaeologists every corner of the world expecting to find out the mystery of a civilization which existed about 4,500 years back.
The Significance of Lothal
Lothal, which translates into ‘Mound of the Dead’ in Gujarati was first unearthed in 1954 by Archaeological Survey of India. It is one of the southernmost settlements of the Harappan people who inhabited the large part of modern India and Pakistan. Lothal did play an important part in the trade system because it was located near the Gulf of Khambhat. It is thought that the city was a prosperous seaport, the destination of which consisted of bringing in goods from faraway places such as Mesopotamia, Persia and the Arabian Peninsula.
Town Planning and Architecture
An important characteristic of Lothal is that it had a very good city planning where we would expect to find elegant edifices of architectural splendour. This site attracts researchers to carry out research on infrastructure such as elaborate drainage system, geometrical city layout, and elaborate structures. A significant level of urban planning determined the structure of the city’s layout and such components of the urban structure as the housing districts, markets, and even public administration buildings are well-ordered. An exciting discovery at Lothal came across as a dockyard which requires an engineering expertise along with an understanding of tides.
The Dockyard: A Marvel of Engineering
The dockyard discovered at Lothal is the most ancient one known till date, which is an interesting site for the archaeologists. This was a rectangular structure, that was about or 218m in length and 37m in width, and was linked to the river Sabarmati through channels. Prompt adaptation subsisted in the facility to house ships and boats that made Lothal a vibrant maritime centre. Scholars are amazed with the architecture engineering of the Harappans, and how they created a dockyard that has the ability to adjust the water level and to control water currents.
Trade and Commerce
The elaborate trade connections by the sides of Harappans also make Lothal a research site of interest. Latter evidences obtained from the site consist of carved seals, beads, pottery and many more which describe the site as a manufacturing and trading hub. These proofs have been discovered in areas beyond the Indian subcontinent proving complicated trade relations that the Harappans had. Historians work with them in an effort to determine how societies engaged in trade economically as well as culturally during this period.
Science and Technological Development
Amazingly enough Lothal has a lot of the scientific and technological information about the Harappan civilization. There are historical artifacts that point towards the discovery of sophisticated iron smelting, potting and bead working. The units of measurements which have been found at the site indicate the high level of organization in trade. A well-developed drainage system defines the excellent knowledge of cities development and sanitation issues.
Social and Cultural Insights
The site of Lothal has provided the archaeological evidence of the development and the social cultural aspect of the Harappan civilization. Scholars analyze these data to gain the insight into the culture, religion, and life of the people living in the city. Although the Harappan symbols or scripts have not been identified, the revelation of seals and inscriptions gives some information concerning its script. The attempts to decipher this script are vital for the deciphering of the puzzles connected with the Harappan civilization.
Preservation and Conservation
Thus, the discovery of Lothal is more than an amazing research find. It is therefore important that every effort is made in order to preserve and to conserve this archaeological site. There are human and environmental threats that threaten the site and researchers and archaeologists do whatever it takes to restore and conserve the site.
Major Discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization and the Major Sites
Indus Valley Civilization or the Harappa civilization, as it is recognized was one of the earliest urban civilization in the world existed between 2600 and 1900 BCE. This civilization, as recognized today as the valley of present day Pakistan and northwest India, was arguably the most sophisticated in urban planning, architecture, socio–economic organization. Besides the present Lothal site, many other leading site of archaeological importance has been found and each of these shed light into a different civilization.
Harappa
Harappa of the Punjab province in today’s Pakistan being one of the first sites explored and got its name for the whole civilization. Key findings at Harappa include:
- Urban Planning: There was an organized pattern of the city with well-proportioned streets and interlinked drainage system at Harappa. The extent to which the people organized their town reflected a good planning necessary for an urban society.
- Artifacts and Seals: A great deal of seals, pottery and clay models have been excavated which helps in understanding more about the art and craft and their culture among the Harappans. The seals most frequently show animals and some mysterious signs that can indicate the existence of a rigid system of signals or accountancy.
- Granaries and Warehouses: Other proofs of economic life style of the people of Harappa include grains and warehouse like structures. These structures show that inhabitants of the studied area used developed methods in their agriculture and had a well-structured economy.
Mohenjo-Daro
It is situated in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Key findings at Mohenjo-Daro include:
- Great Bath: The Great Bath is one of the greatest discoveries that archaeology has discovered at Mohenjo-Daro. This really large, public bath, made with bricks baked to the astringent surface and waterproofed with layers of bitumen, establishes the importance of washing and the group rituals for the Harappans.
- Residential Complexes: The houses of the city include the drainages systems, multi-house royal style buildings, and wells. These structures signify the degree of importance that was placed on cleanliness health and safety.
- Artifacts and Statues: Some of them are the so called ‘Dancing Girl,’ which is a small bronze statue and is considered to depict the Harappan’s talent in both sculpture and metallurgy. They also confirm their aptness by the discovery of many tools, ornaments, and pottery.
Dholavira
'Dholavira' a site situated at the remote Rann of Kutch in Gujarat in India and it is one of the better and important Harappan sites. Key findings at Dholavira include:
- Water Management System: Dholavira has one of the most sophisticated water harvesting systems comprising of reservoirs, canal, and step well. This system shows the inventive way in which the Harappans were able to manage water in a very arid landscape.
- Unique City Layout: The city is divided into three parts: They are, the citadel, the middle town and the lower town. Every section is systematically laid down and defended, thus offering good samples of advanced urban design.
- Inscriptions and Signs: Some of the biggest stone structures Inscriptions have been found during the recent digs at Dholavira and among them some are longest Harappan scripts. Such inscriptions are helpful in coming up with some ideas concerning the language and bureaucratic systems of the Harappans.
Kalibangan
Another important site that has given useful information about the I.V.C is Kalibangan situated in Rajasthan, India. Key findings at Kalibangan include:
- Fire Altars: The fire altars are evidence of ritual practice, and hint at fire worship as well. These altars suggest the numerical and other proper religious and other ceremonial use of the Harappans.
- Ploughed Fields: Evidences that people cultivated land and had hi-tech farming is evident from the arable fields found washed over by archaeological explorations. From the arrangement of the furrows it can be seen that the farmers had knowledge in crop rotation and the soil.
- Defensive Structures: At the same time, opting for the construction of strongholds with walls and ditches is proved to be an essential point in security for Harappan communities in Kalibangan. The fact that there is a citadel and walls fixed around signifies that the city was organized in the way it was protected.
The Archaeological Survey of India
The 'ASI' is an apex organization of the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India and looks after the conservation and recording of India’s vast cultural historical resources. Founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham, the ASI has been in the lead as the pioneer, researcher, and conservator of archaeological sites in India. Organisation to defend the country's archaeological heritage, the ASI goes on exploring and conserving the history of India as well as passing it to the future generations.
Historical Background
It was originally established in about mid nineteenth century when an army engineer having interest in Indian archaeology, Alexander Cunningham was appointed as the first Archaeological Surveyor of India. He was one of the most skilled explorers of modern India who, with passion and enthusiasm, made the first systematic archaeological studies in India. His dedicated work was indeed very useful for the discovery of many archaeological monuments and excavation of many historical places of India such as famous Sanchi Stupa and Ashokan edicts.
Functions and Responsibilities
The major activities which are included in the primary functions of ASI include a variety of duties that are aimed at conservation of archaeological sites in India. These include:
- Excavation and Exploration: The work of the ASI is to excavate and explore archaeological sites and structures across the country for archaeological purposes. Aptly these activities enable one un-ravel the mysteries of the past India, and gain a better understanding of the history and culture of this region.
- Conservation and Preservation: It also controls the preservation and regeneration of protected architectural monuments and areas. It uses scientific and cultural approaches and practices to strengthen and repair structures to preserve historical structures for use by future generations.
- Documentation and Research: ASI is very particular in documenting and classifying the archaeological remains, monument and site. This information proves to be essential for research and study needs as adds to the overall knowledge of India’s cultural life.
- Protection of Monuments: The ASI is under duty of protection of monuments and sites which are protected under the Act known as the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. They are responsible for ensuring compliance with the law against developments, unlawful structures and destruction of properties at such locations.
- Promotion of Awareness and Education: To create awareness of India’s archaeological heritage, the ASI stages exhibitions, seminars, and education programs. It also comes up with research papers, excavation reports and newsletters in order to pass information to the readers and the society at large.
Notable Achievements
- Harappan Sites: The ASI has a central role in exploration of sites belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization include Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Lothal and Dholavira. These excavations have yielded helpful information regarding one of the oldest urban societies known to man.
- Ajanta and Ellora Caves: Of these, the ASI has clearly been quite active in conserving the Ajanta and Ellora Caves where elaborate rock cut structures with beautiful frescoes were made during ancient India.
- Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb: Many centres of historical importance that the ASI looks after have tasted conservation like the Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi etc. These sites draw millions of tourists annually and they are protected as world heritage sites in partnership with UNESCO.
- Restoration of Temples and Monuments: The ASI has been instrumental in restoring several ancient temples and monuments, including the Sun Temple at Konark, the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, and the Mahabalipuram rock-cut temples.