Rajasthan dig reveals 3,500-year-old settlement: ASI traces ancient riverbed; findings may link it to Rig Veda-era Saraswati river
The findings of the excavation constitute evidence of settlements that thrived between 3500 and 1000 BC. Discovery of the palaeochannel is the first such finding in Indian archaeological history
JAIPUR: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has dug up an ancient palaeochannel buried 23 metres under Bahaj village in Rajasthan's Deeg district, leading a section of historians and archaeologists to link it to the mythical Saraswati river mentioned in the Rig Veda.
The findings of the excavation, carried out between April 2024 and May this year, constitute evidence of settlements that thrived between 3500 and 1000 BC.
Most of the discoveries date back to Kushan, Magadha and Sunga dynasties. Among the standout discoveries is the palaeochannel, the first such finding in Indian archaeological history. 'This ancient river system nourished early human settlements and connects Bahaj to the larger Saraswati basin culture,' said Vinay Gupta, superintending archaeologist of ASI Jaipur, in a presentation at Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
Gupta described the palaeochannel as an 'unprecedented discovery confirming ancient water systems supported civilisation here'.
Bahaj village is about 50km from Mathura. ASI has submitted a report to ministry of culture, which will decide how to preserve the site.Other findings include remnants of residential structures with earthen posts, trenches with stratified walls, furnaces and a variety of iron and copper artefacts.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency
Planet Spark
Learn More
Undo
Microlithic tools or small stone implements suggest that the roots of this settlement date back to the pre-Holocene era.
'The discovery of furnaces and metal objects indicates the inhabitants' advanced knowledge of metallurgy,' Gupta said during an exhibition of antiquities in Deeg last month.The spiritual relics found by the excavation team include 15 yajna kundas (sacrificial pits), votive tanks dedicated to Shakti worship, and terracotta images of Shiva and Parvati, dating back to at least 1000 BC.
Archaeologists also found four unbaked sealings, two inscribed with Brahmi letters. These are considered the earliest datable evidence of the Brahmi script on the subcontinent. Yajna kundas from the Mahajanapada period were also discovered, most of them filled with sandy soil and miniature pots holding uninscribed copper coins.
Experts say this could challenge existing timelines on the origins of Indian coinage.The excavation also points to Bahaj's rich craft heritage such as bone tool industries, semi-precious beads and shell bangle production. 'The Bahaj excavation has the potential to rewrite key chapters of India's early history,' Gupta said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh's Jahnavi Dangeti selected to fly in NASA's space mission. Check her education, family background
In a moment that marks both personal triumph and national pride, 21-year-old Dangeti Jahnavi from Palakollu in Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari district has been selected for a historic space mission to the Titan Orbital Port Space Station , expected to launch in 2029. Her journey from a small town to the global space stage is not just inspiring—it's a symbol of India's emerging footprint in futuristic space exploration. Jahnavi is the first Indian to complete NASA's elite International Air and Space Program (IASP). With her selection for this mission, she will be among a select group of astronauts contributing to the next generation of off-Earth infrastructure. According to PTI reports, her 2029 mission aligns with the launch of the Titan Orbital Port, an advanced space habitat spearheaded by a U.S.-based organisation. A Stellar Academic Journey Jahnavi's academic journey began in Palakollu, where she completed her intermediate education before moving to Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering. Her technical training laid a strong foundation for what would become a path-breaking career in space science and technology. Her parents, Padmasri and Srinivas, currently reside in Kuwait. Despite the distance, they've remained her unwavering support system, watching their daughter ascend to stellar heights. Beyond the Launchpad Jahnavi is more than just a future astronaut. She has emerged as a leading voice in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, engaging with students and researchers across India and abroad. From giving talks at ISRO's outreach programs to speaking at National Institutes of Technology (NITs), her influence stretches beyond labs and observatories into classrooms and communities. You Might Also Like: 'Gravity stinks': NASA astronaut reveals harsh toll of Earth's pull after nine months stranded in space in latest health update Her participation in analog missions, deep-sea diving, and planetary science forums showcases her preparation for long-duration space missions. Her advocacy is rooted in real-world issues astronauts face — from isolation and radiation to sustainability and resource management. — governorap (@governorap) Preparing for the Unknown Among her many achievements, Jahnavi's work with the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) stands out. This NASA-affiliated program enabled her to contribute to asteroid discovery through the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii, using real-time data for astronomical analysis. Her keen eye and analytical skill led to the identification of new celestial objects, cementing her role in international space research. She also made history as the youngest foreign analog astronaut and the first Indian selected for Space Iceland's geology training program, where she trained in Mars-analog terrains on Earth—vital preparation for the kind of planetary science required in interplanetary missions . You Might Also Like: 'I am going to space': NASA debunks viral influencer's astronaut claim. Here is what really happened
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
National Institute of Virology develops portable 'point-of-care' test kit for detecting Nipah virus
India will now be able to detect the Nipah virus within minutes as the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, under the Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR ), has developed a portable 'point-of-care' test kit for detecting the virus. This kit can provide instant results even outside laboratory settings and will be deployed soon in high-risk areas like Kerala and West Bengal, Dr Naveen Kumar, the director of NIV, said. "We have developed a LAMP-based portable kit for quick and reliable detection of the Nipah virus. It provides results in just a few minutes without the need for a laboratory. The kit has also been patented," Dr Kumar said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Audiologists: New £80 German Hearing Device Sweeping The UK Top Trending News Today Learn More Undo The Nipah virus primarily spreads through fruit bats and has caused several outbreaks in India. With a mortality rate exceeding 50 per cent, it is one of the most lethal viral diseases. Live Events In India, the capability to culture the Nipah virus exists only at NIV Pune, where genomic analysis, vaccine development, and drug testing are also carried out, said Dr Pragya Yadav, senior scientist at NIV. The NIV is working with a pharma company and research partners to develop monoclonal antibodies to treat Nipah. Additionally, the institute is also working on an indigenous vaccine for the Nipah virus, which is expected to enter trial phases in the coming years. According to data, the Nipah virus samples found in India so far belong to the 'Genotype B' category, seen in both Bangladesh and India, Dr Kumar said. This variant spreads rapidly and causes severe symptoms, whereas the Malaysian variant (Genotype M) is comparatively less infectious. Over the past decade, most Nipah virus cases in India have been reported from Kerala and West Bengal, he said. The NIV has set up specialised labs and monitoring systems in these states to enable early detection and containment, Dr Kumar added. From 1998 to 2018, more than 700 cases were reported across India, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. The first case in India was recorded in West Bengal in 2001, with a 74 per cent fatality rate. The 2007 outbreak in the same region saw a 100 per cent fatality rate. Data shows that the first Nipah case in India emerged in 2001 in West Bengal. The state saw the second outbreak in 2007. The third major outbreak occurred in Kerala in 2018, resulting in 16 deaths. Since then, Kerala has seen many outbreaks, with 19 fatalities in total. Dr Yadav, who has led six to seven studies on Nipah infection in India, revealed that antibody surveys found Nipah virus antibodies in 20 per cent of bats across nine states and one Union Territory, indicating prior exposure to the virus.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
From Palakollu To The Stars: India's Jahnavi Dangeti Set For Historic 2029 Space Mission
Last Updated: The young aerospace enthusiast from Palakollu has been selected as an astronaut candidate for the 2029 Titans Space Mission From watching the stars in a small Andhra Pradesh town to training for a historic spaceflight, 23-year-old Jahnavi Dangeti is all set to make history. The young aerospace enthusiast from Palakollu has been selected as an astronaut candidate for the 2029 Titans Space Mission, becoming the first Indian to complete NASA's prestigious International Air and Space Program (IASP) and possibly the first Indian woman to fly on an international private space mission. Dangeti will begin her astronaut training in 2026 under the guidance of retired NASA astronaut William McArthur Jr. Her mission: a flight to the Titan Orbital Space Station, scheduled for launch in 2029. She will undergo rigorous preparations, including simulations, spacecraft systems training, zero-gravity conditioning, and survival drills. Her selection for the elite programme marks a major milestone—not just for her but for India's growing representation in global space exploration. Dangeti is the first Indian to graduate from NASA's IASP, an intensive five-day programme held at the Kennedy Space Center, which includes hands-on training in space science, rocket design, and leadership. As per India Today, she led her team as mission director during the programme, guiding the launch of a mini-rocket as part of a simulation. She is also the youngest analog astronaut trained at the Analog Astronaut Training Center in Krakow, Poland, where she participated in simulated space missions designed to replicate lunar and Martian environments. Her academic journey took her through a in Electronics and Communication at Lovely Professional University, and she has also earned a private pilot licence. She has participated in asteroid-hunting campaigns via the International Astronomical Search Collaboration and actively promotes STEM education for young students in India. Eyes on 2029 Dangeti's role in the 2029 Titans Space Mission could place her among the few Indian civilians to travel to space. The mission, organised by international private space agencies, aims to conduct research aboard the orbital station while advancing human spaceflight collaborations. As she prepares to embark on this extraordinary journey, she told The Times of India: 'It's not just my dream anymore. It's the dream of everyone who comes from small towns and thinks space is out of reach. I want to prove otherwise." First Published:
