Kerala University's archaeological excavation unearths 5,300-year-old Early Harappan settlement in Gujarat
Archaeologists from the University of Kerala have unearthed a 5,300-year-old settlement near Lakhapar village in western Kachchh, Gujarat.
The excavation has revealed an Early Harappan habitation site, located near the now-quiet Gandi river, once a perennial water source, spanning nearly three hectares on either side of the Gaduli-Lakhapar road. The site was first identified in 2022 by a team led by Abhayan G.S. and Rajesh S.V. from the Department of Archaeology, Kerala University.
The collaborative project, involving both international and national institutions, builds upon the team's earlier work at the nearby Early Harappan necropolis of Juna Khatiya, just 1.5 km away, where they had documented 197 burials over three field seasons since 2019.
Critical context
The Lakhapar discoveries now provide critical habitation context to those burials, suggesting a dynamic, interconnected cultural landscape in the arid Kachchh desert.
The excavation uncovered structural remnants, walls made of local sandstone and shale, indicating well-planned construction activities.
Particularly striking is the presence of pottery from both Early and Classical Harappan phases, dating back to around 3300 BC. Among these finds is the extremely rare Pre-Prabhas Ware, previously known from only three sites across Gujarat. The presence of this distinct ceramic tradition at Lakhapar points to a culturally unique group within the larger Harappan civilization.
Burial site
Even more intriguing is the discovery of a human burial in the vicinity of the settlement. The skeleton, though poorly preserved, was interred directly in a pit with no visible architecture or markers and accompanied by Pre-Prabhas Ware pottery. This is the first known burial to include this rare ware, hinting at a previously undocumented ritual practice or subgroup within the Early Harappan population, the researchers point out.
'Beyond architecture and pottery, the excavation revealed a rich array of artefacts: semiprecious stone beads made of carnelian, agate, amazonite, and steatite; shell ornaments, copper and terracotta objects; and lithic tools. Of particular note are Rohri chert blades, which indicate connections with the Sindh region,' Dr. Abhayan stated.
Animal remains, including cattle, sheep, goats, fish bones and edible shell fragments, suggest that inhabitants relied on both animal husbandry and aquatic resources. Samples have also been collected for archaeobotanical analysis to understand plant use and ancient diet.
According to Dr. Rajesh, what sets Lakhapar apart is that while Gujarat has yielded several Early Harappan burial sites, such as Dhaneti, evidence of associated settlements has been elusive until now. Lakhapar bridges that critical gap, offering a rare glimpse into both the living and the dead of the same cultural group.
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
5,300-year-old Early Harappan settlement found near Lakhpat
Ahmedabad: A team of researchers has unearthed a 5,300-year-old settlement at Lakhapar village near Lakhpat in Kutch district, dating back to the Early Harappan period. The site is believed to have existed when Dholavira, a Harappan acropolis now a Unesco World Heritage site, was in its formative stages, say experts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The discovery is important due to its proximity to Juna Khatiya village, where over 125 Early Harappan-era graves were discovered in 2023. The discovery is part of a cluster of Early Harappan sites in Lakhpat that also included Padta, discovered in 2024 by the same group. "The site was identified around 2022 with the help of Narayan Jajani, former Sarpanch of Lakhapar village, due to the presence of a mound. After permission from the owner of the agricultural land, we carried out the excavation on both sides of the Gaduli-Lakhapar road in an area of around 3 hectares," said Dr Rajesh SV, project lead, along with Dr Abhayan GS, both assistant professors at the Department of Archaeology, University of Kerala. The researchers said that in Gujarat, there are two major sites associated with Early Harappan burial practices – Juna Khatiya, discovered by the University of Kerala, and Dhaneti by the MS University of Baroda – both in Kutch district. "While an associated population is yet to be identified in the case of Dhaneti, in the case of Juna Khatiya, it has direct links with the Lakhapar settlement from the same era and similar artefacts. The graves in Juna Khatiya were, in fact, the starting point for us to look for a settlement that may have buried its dead some distance away from the settlement," said Dr Rajesh. The Lakhapar site is near a rivulet, which may have provided the settlers with a perennial water source, said researchers. Some of the discoveries from the site include a large stone structure, a human burial site, along with a significant assemblage of pottery and artefacts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Some of the earliest pottery shards date back to 3,300 BCE, they added. "Particularly significant is the discovery of a distinctive Early Harappan ceramic tradition known as pre-Prabhas, previously reported from only three sites in Gujarat: Prabhas Patan, Datrana, and Janan. This rare ceramic type, characterised by specific shapes and composition, suggests the influence of regional chalcolithic communities during the Early Harappan period," said Dr Abhayan. What interested the researchers is Lakhapar site's close connection with other Early Harappan sites of the Gujarat region in terms of pottery and other artefacts – semi-precious stone beads made of carnelian, agate, amazonite, and steatite, as well as shell beads, shell bangles, copper objects, terracotta objects, grinding stones, hammer stones, lithic tools, and manufacturing debris. Stone blades made of chert indicate a close Sindh connection, added researchers. Some other finds, such as remains of domesticated animals – cattle, sheep, goat – along with fish bones and edible shell fragments, point to the diet and way of life for Early Harappans inhabiting the settlement. Experts have also collected some remains of plants for further analysis. Researchers said that the larger project in the region to find Early Harappan settlements – older than several of the better-known sites – is ongoing in collaboration with academic partners from Spain, USA, Japan, and Indian institutions such as KSKV Kachchh University, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Deccan College, and Archaeological Survey of India, among others. BOX Unique burial at site with ceramic remains The site is located around 1.5 km from Juna Khatiya, the site of over 125 Early Harappan-era graves. From Lakhapar, only one burial is found, which has skeletal remains in poorly preserved conditions. It is the only known burial with pre-Prabhas ceramics as burial goods. It is notable that Juna Khatiya has different era graves, giving an extensive idea of burial practices over 5,000 years ago in the region.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Kerala University's archaeological excavation unearths 5,300-year-old Early Harappan settlement in Gujarat
Archaeologists from the University of Kerala have unearthed a 5,300-year-old settlement near Lakhapar village in western Kachchh, Gujarat. The excavation has revealed an Early Harappan habitation site, located near the now-quiet Gandi river, once a perennial water source, spanning nearly three hectares on either side of the Gaduli-Lakhapar road. The site was first identified in 2022 by a team led by Abhayan G.S. and Rajesh S.V. from the Department of Archaeology, Kerala University. The collaborative project, involving both international and national institutions, builds upon the team's earlier work at the nearby Early Harappan necropolis of Juna Khatiya, just 1.5 km away, where they had documented 197 burials over three field seasons since 2019. Critical context The Lakhapar discoveries now provide critical habitation context to those burials, suggesting a dynamic, interconnected cultural landscape in the arid Kachchh desert. The excavation uncovered structural remnants, walls made of local sandstone and shale, indicating well-planned construction activities. Particularly striking is the presence of pottery from both Early and Classical Harappan phases, dating back to around 3300 BC. Among these finds is the extremely rare Pre-Prabhas Ware, previously known from only three sites across Gujarat. The presence of this distinct ceramic tradition at Lakhapar points to a culturally unique group within the larger Harappan civilization. Burial site Even more intriguing is the discovery of a human burial in the vicinity of the settlement. The skeleton, though poorly preserved, was interred directly in a pit with no visible architecture or markers and accompanied by Pre-Prabhas Ware pottery. This is the first known burial to include this rare ware, hinting at a previously undocumented ritual practice or subgroup within the Early Harappan population, the researchers point out. 'Beyond architecture and pottery, the excavation revealed a rich array of artefacts: semiprecious stone beads made of carnelian, agate, amazonite, and steatite; shell ornaments, copper and terracotta objects; and lithic tools. Of particular note are Rohri chert blades, which indicate connections with the Sindh region,' Dr. Abhayan stated. Animal remains, including cattle, sheep, goats, fish bones and edible shell fragments, suggest that inhabitants relied on both animal husbandry and aquatic resources. Samples have also been collected for archaeobotanical analysis to understand plant use and ancient diet. According to Dr. Rajesh, what sets Lakhapar apart is that while Gujarat has yielded several Early Harappan burial sites, such as Dhaneti, evidence of associated settlements has been elusive until now. Lakhapar bridges that critical gap, offering a rare glimpse into both the living and the dead of the same cultural group.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
3,500-year-old grave reveals: change in Bronze Age history around 1500 BC in Central Europe
Source: ScienceDaily The multidisciplinary research, based on the Bronze Age cemetery excavated at Tiszafüred-Majoroshalom, which was used in both the Middle Bronze Age (Füzesabony culture) and the Late Bronze Age (Tumulus culture), allowed researchers to compare the subsistence strategies before and after the change of era. The bioarchaeological investigation of the Bronze Age cemetery of Tiszafüred-Majoroshalom reveals new insights into an important period in Central European history. Bronze Age life changed radically around 1500 BC in Central Europe. New research reveals that diets narrowed, millet was introduced, migration slowed, and social systems became looser, challenging old ideas about the nomadic Tumulus culture herders. Scientists discover how bronze age people lived, ate, and moved around 1500 BC According to Science Daily, an international research team—led by Tamás Hajdu, associate professor at the Department of Anthropology at ELTE, and Claudio Cavazzuti, senior assistant professor at the University of Bologna—has shown that around 1500 BC, radical changes occurred in people's lives: they ate and lived differently, and the social system was also reorganized. The research, supported by the Hungarian National Research, Development and Innovation Office, examined whether the archaeologically observed settlement changes around 1500 BC indicated a lifestyle change—whether people began to follow a way of life based on animal husbandry and frequent migration instead of settled farming. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 180k traders turn to IC Markets for optimum CFD trading conditions IC Markets Sign Up Undo The team also sought to answer whether the spread of the Tumulus culture meant the arrival of new groups, or whether the local population continued their lives with only the material culture changing. Outcomes of the archaeological results Diet Changed: Scientists studied ancient bones and found that during the Middle Bronze Age, people ate a wider variety of foods, and some had better access to meat and animal products than others. This showed a clear difference between rich and poor. But in the Late Bronze Age, diets became more uniform but poorer. Most people ate similar things—mainly plant-based—and animal protein became less common in their meals. Broomcorn Millet Was Introduced: Researchers found evidence that broomcorn millet, a fast-growing, energy-rich grain, started being eaten around the start of the Late Bronze Age. The cemetery at Tiszafüred shows the earliest known use of millet in Europe. This grain probably helped communities feed themselves more reliably, even if their diet became simpler. Mobility Decreased: People traveled and moved around less. By looking at the chemicals in people's teeth and bones, scientists discovered that fewer people moved into the area during the Late Bronze Age compared to earlier times. In the Middle Bronze Age, some people living in Tiszafüred had come from nearby regions like the Upper Tisza area or the Carpathian Mountains. But in the Late Bronze Age, most people were locals, and those who did move in likely came from farther away, such as Transdanubia or the Southern Carpathians. Social Relations Changed: Society became less structured. At the beginning of the Late Bronze Age, the long-used tell settlements were abandoned, and people lived in less centralized settlement networks. This change created a looser, less organized social system, which is also reflected in dietary habits. According to microremains found in dental calculi and the aforementioned isotopic analyses, significantly less animal protein was consumed during this period than before. This contradicts the earlier idea that people belonging to the Tumulus culture were mainly engaged in animal husbandry Also read | Rare birds return on restored wetland at Wicket Fen
