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As per the latest reports, villagers in Rajkot were in for a surprise, when they discovered a Harappan site, an ancient civilisation, near Dholavira. Reportedly, the villagers were digging the area in search of gold.
The locals here, driven by the belief that there might be gold buried in the vicinity, initiated a digging endeavour about five years ago with dreams of striking it rich.
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However, what transpired was a remarkable discovery that shifted the narrative from gold to an ancient civilization. Legend has it that Lodrani, a hamlet situated around 51 km from the World Heritage Site of Dholavira, was perched upon hidden gold, prompting ambitious residents to embark on a quest for wealth through excavation.
Following preliminary findings, archaeologists, led by Ajay Yadav, a research scholar, and his professor Damian Robinson from Oxford’s School of Archaeology, took charge of the dig and unveiled a Harappan-era fortified settlement.
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Contrary to the initial perception of a mere stone-rubble settlement, the site, officially named Morodharo in January, revealed architectural details bearing a striking resemblance to the nearby Dholavira. The settlement, dated back to around 4,500 years ago, flourished during (2,600-1,900 BCE) to late (1,900-1,300 BCE) Harappan periods. The discovery included a substantial quantity of Harappan pottery reminiscent of artefacts found in Dholavira.
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One crucial observation made by the archaeologists is the reliance of both Morodharo and Dholavira on the sea. Situated close to the Rann desert, it is interpreted that the region, which eventually turned into a desert, was likely navigable during the Harappan era.
Lodrani, once dismissed and relegated to the belief of being a site with a mediaeval fortress and buried treasure, now stands as a significant archaeological find. Previously, in 1967-68, a survey by archaeologist J P Joshi had reported a Harappan site at Lodrani, but concrete evidence eluded discovery at that time. Even during the Dholavira excavation between 1989 and 2005, experts visited Lodrani without being thoroughly impressed.
The archaeological fame of Lodrani, spurred by the quest for treasure initiated by its residents, has unveiled a vital piece of India’s antiquity that might have otherwise remained buried and undiscovered.
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