Rakhigarhi
– Harappan site
Prelims:
Ancient Indian History, Art & Culture, Archaeology
Mains:
GS Paper I-Indian Heritage & Culture, GS Paper III
-Science & Technology
Current
relevance:
The
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has formally transferred human
skeletal remains excavated from Rakhigarhi (Haryana) to the
Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) for detailed scientific
investigation.
About
rakhigarhi:
1.
Rakhigarhi, spread over about 550 hectares in
Haryana, is the largest known Harappan settlement in India.
2. Provides evidence
of one of the world's earliest urban
societies.
3. It demonstrates
that major urban centers also flourished in northwestern India, highlighting the civilization's wide geographic extent.
4. Archaeological Discoveries:
(i) Planned residential
areas.
(ii) Drainage systems and
brick-lined streets.
(iii) Fire altars and
industrial
(iv) Terracotta toys and
figurines.
(v) Gold and copper
ornaments.
(vi) Bead-making workshops.
(vii)
Indus seals and inscriptions.
(viii)
Human burials.
Recent Scientific
Research:
1.
Human skeletons transferred to AnSI's Ancient
Human Skeletal Repository and Laboratory, Kolkata.
2.
The study will employ modern scientific techniques,
including:
(i)
Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis
(ii)
Stable isotope analysis
(iii)
Osteological studies
(iv)
Palaeopathological investigations
(v)
Environmental reconstruction
Source: THE HINDU-https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/asi-transfers-rakhigarhi-skeletons-to-anthropological-survey-of-india-for-further-research/article71133224.ece