Posted on 04/20/2005 9:04:35 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The residents of Sanchankot village in Uttar Pradesh on the banks on Sai river never knew they were sitting on an archeological goldmine.
Excavations in the mounds here have revealed proof of civilizations of four different periods.
The oldest being the Painted Grey Ware period dating from 1400 to 800 BC and the latest the Gupta period of the 4-6th century AD.
A 10th century temple of the Pratihar dynasty has also been found during the excavations.
Excavations on
The archeological significance of the site has been known for almost 150 years now.
And almost every one who has come here has based their assessment on Fihian's writing.
And even the excavation that is going on now is based on how he has described the historical city of Saket in his book.
The area was first highlighted in 1868 by the then Director General of the ASI, General Cunningham and was mentioned in some 20th century studies.
But it was only in 1992 that this mound was declared protected. Excavations began early this year and only a small portion has been covered so far.
"These are one of the earliest known settlements that we know of. These remains are in an area of about 9 sq km. Hopefully, next year we will be able to know more," says Prof D P Tiwari, archaeologist.
Archeologists optimistic
Teracotta figures, seals and coins of Kushan period have also been unearthed making it the first time in northern India that an entire city of the Kushan period has been discovered.
Archeologists are optimistic that this could be the legendary 'Saket', one of the six big cities of Northern India during that time
The possibilities are extremely exciting. So far the oldest culture found in the Gangetic plains has been the Painted Grey Ware but finds of Ochre coloured pottery, associated with the Aryan culture, have also been reported.
If these are found here, they could establish the existence of a civilization parallel to that of the Indus Valley.
ping
How sad to think that all of history is tiled up in the shards of a few ancient mud pies somewhere where youth was forever disdained.
Der were yoopers in da 1400 BC's, eh?
Damn, ya beat me. That's what I thought, too.
The tusks that fought in mighty brawls of elephants are billiard balls.
The sword of Charlemagne The Just is ferrous oxide, known as rust.
The grizzly bear whose mighty hug was feared by all is now a rug.
Great Caeser's bust is on the shelf and I don't feel so good myself.
Rare oft the twain shall pass in night
Close by they draw like evening shade
And with a wink they fade...
In morning's light
Thanks for the Ping :)
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I was packing up the cruiser to head for Northern Michigan when I read the rest of the post. Damn!
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