Harappan Maritime Prowess: New Dockyard Discovery in Kutch Redefines Ancient Inland Navigation
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Archaeological excavations near Dholavira have unearthed a 2500 BCE stone-lined canal and secondary dockyard, revealing advanced Harappan inland navigation and hydraulic engineering.
Recent archaeological excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Dholavira in Kutch, Gujarat, have unearthed a sophisticated stone-lined canal system and a secondary dockyard. Dating back to approximately 2500 BCE, this discovery provides groundbreaking evidence of the Harappans' mastery over inland navigation and maritime architecture, challenging previous assumptions that maritime activity was largely restricted to major coastal hubs like Lothal.
The newly discovered structure features a meticulously engineered canal that likely diverted water from nearby seasonal streams into a secondary basin designed for berthing smaller vessels. The use of dressed stones and bitumen for waterproofing demonstrates a high level of hydraulic engineering. This suggests that the Harappans did not merely rely on the sea but had developed a complex network of inland waterways to facilitate trade between major urban centers and smaller hinterland outposts. Such a system would have allowed for the efficient transport of goods despite the fluctuating water levels characteristic of the Rann of Kutch.
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