A new Harappan site, Ratadiya Ri Dheri, has been discovered in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, marking the first known Indus Valley Civilization settlement in the region’s arid Thar Desert. Dated to the Mature Harappan phase (2600–1900 BCE), the rural settlement features artifacts like red pottery, terracotta objects, stone tools, and kiln bricks, and its location near the India-Pakistan border suggests long-distance trade and connectivity within the Harappan network.
Location and Significance
- First in arid Rajasthan: This is the first Indus Valley site identified in Rajasthan’s vast arid region, challenging previous notions about the civilization’s spread.
- Strategic location: The site is located about 60 km from Ramgarh and 17 km from Pakistan’s Sadewala, connecting it to ancient civilizations in northern Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Artifacts and Characteristics
- Rural settlement: Ratadiya Ri Dheri is classified as a rural Harappan settlement.
- Key artifacts: Discoveries include red pottery, clay and shell bangles, terracotta objects, stone tools, and wedge-shaped kiln bricks.
- Evidence of trade: The presence of chert blades, a material sourced from the Rohri region of Pakistan, indicates long-distance trade and cultural ties.
Discovery and Researchers
- Discoverers: The site was found by history lecturer Dilip Kumar Saini and local enthusiast Parth Jagani.
- Validation: Experts from the University of Rajasthan and Rajasthan Vidyapeeth confirmed the discovery.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Which of the following artifacts, found at Ratadiya Ri Dheri, supports the idea of long-distance trade and connectivity within the Harappan network?
a) Kiln bricks and red pottery
b) Stone tools and terracotta objects
c) Terracotta cakes and pottery sherds
d) Chert blades and shell bangles from non-local sources
Answer: a
Explanation: The presence of artifacts made from materials not locally available at a specific site is key evidence of long-distance trade: Chert was procured from various sources within the subcontinent, like those in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and its presence at Ratadiya Ri Dheri (located in the Jaisalmer desert region, far from the primary source areas) indicates trade and connectivity. Shells for bangles and other objects were typically sourced from coastal areas, such as Balakot or Lothal. Their discovery at an inland site like Ratadiya Ri Dheri confirms a vast internal trade network within the Harappan civilization.
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