Harappan-like ruins in Gulf of Cambay

NEW DELHI, MAY 19. In a major marine archaeological discovery, the Indian scientists have come up with excellent geometric objects below the sea-bed in the western coast, similar to the Harappan ruins.

``This is the first time that such sites have been reported in the Gulf of Cambay,'' the Science and Technology Minister, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, told reporters today.

The discovery was made a few weeks ago when the multi- disciplinary underwater surveys, carried out by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), picked up images of several ``excellent geometrical objects'' which were normally man-made in the nine-kilometre-long stretch, west of Hazira in Gujarat.

``It is important to note that the underwater marine structures discovered in the Gulf of Cambay have similarity with the structures found on-land on the archaeological sites of Harappan and pre-Harappan times,'' Dr. Joshi said.

The acoustic images showed the area lined with well-laid house basements like features partially covered by sand waves and sand ripples at 30-40 metre water depth. At many places, channel-like features were also seen indicating the possible existence of possible drainage in the area, he said.

Possible age of the finds can be anywhere between 4000-6000 years, Dr. Joshi said adding the site might have got submerged due to a powerful earthquake.

Stating that it was a very exciting discovery and has raised many questions, he said the Department of Ocean Development has decided to carry out a series of studies to know how these structures were submerged and their archaeological importance. Lauding the efforts of scientists, Dr. Joshi said the findings need to be investigated in greater detail.

The material collected at the site included well-rounded pebbles, cobbles and alluvium, which were normally found in river beds, NIOT officials said. A detailed examination of the geology and tectonics of the area revealed that a couple of major rivers have been flowing approximately in the east-west direction coinciding with the course of the Tapti and Narmada rivers.

Due to the geological processes and tectonic events, the entire Cambay area might have sunk, taking down with it the then existing part of the river sections and the ancient settlement. The NIOT proposes to initiate a detailed survey of the area by deploying various underwater equipment, including remotely- operated underwater videography equipment, and by employing divers.

The NIOT also proposes to take up a major programme to study other underwater archaeological sites off Mahabalipuram and Poompuhar in Tamilnadu, off Musiris in Kerala and other areas in Gujarat, they added.

- PTI

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