Relic hunter: ASI digs Harappan site in Kutch,finds artefacts

“Khirasara is situated in Nakhtarana taluka of Kutch district around five kilometres from Netru village,” said Jitendra Nath,Superintending Archaeologist,Excavation,Branch-V.

Though archaeologists have explored the site earlier,this will be the first time that a 15-member ASI team will carry out exploration here. The process will continue for three years. At present,archaeologists have started excavating the fortification wall.

Nath said: “We have started the excavation work with a group of surveyors,draftsmen and marksmen. The site appears to be approximately 300 by 300 square feet. We are developing a control plan to properly prepare the site dimension.” He added: “The site seems well preserved as only agriculture was being practiced here. The aim of this excavation is to find settlement and subsistence pattern.”

Nath further said that they want to explore more about the trading pattern of the Harappan civilisation with the others. “Since the start of the excavation here,we have found dented pottery and stone blades,and expect to find more from the area,” he said.

At present,excavation is on at a private land owned by three relatives: Kalpesh Patel,Amrit Patel and Mani Patel. Nath said:

“The land belongs to their mother Narmada Patel,and was used for growing groundnut and cotton. They are cooperating with us and have stopped cultivation there.”

The ASI has promised them compensation till the time the excavation work is on.

Nath said: “An excavation was done at a private land in the Hathab area of Kutch district. The owner of the land was given compensation by ASI.

He added that the ASI has already excavated similar sites at Desalpur and Juni Koran in Kutch district earlier.