Harappan-era pottery recovered in Punjab

Hallmark pottery dating back to 1900 BC has been recovered during the recent excavations in Ropar (now Rupnagar), Punjab. The Archaeological Survey of India, which recently started excavating the site after a gap of 56 years, has recovered fragments of “geometrical designs” belonging to the Harappan era. 

Pottery of the Harappan period, recovered from Ropar in Ambala district of Punjab [Credit: Frontline]

Currently Pakistan forms the core area of Indus-valley civilisation (Harappan era), the remains of this old civilisation was also seen in India in 1953 during the excavations. The excavations, however, stopped in India in 1955. 

After more than five decades, archaeologists say further digging may get them “typical” Harappan culture designs. “We have so far found the contemporary, regional elements, but there is a possibility of receiving typical Harappan culture designs,” said superintending archaeologist V.N. Prabhakar. 

Experts say once the excavations are over, they will use scientific methods to establish the dietary pattern of the Asian population that lived there, exact origin of Harappan culture, relevance etc. Archaeologists believe that the Harappans lived at the Ropar site till about 2000 BC. However, the reason for them to leave the site still remain to be unfolded. 

Author: Teena Thacker | Source: The Asian Age [February 02, 2012]