Air view of the place of excavation in the Lakapar in Gujarat. Photo: Special arrangement
Archaeologists from the University of Kerala discovered 5 300 -year -old settlements near the village of Lakhakar in Western Kachchh, Gujarat.
The excavation revealed the early place Harappan Habitation, located near the Gandi River, once a permanent water source, bridging nearly three hectares on both sides of the Gaduli-Lacapar road. The site was first identified in 2022 by a team led by Abhayan GS and Rajesh SV from the Department of Archeology at Keral University.
The cooperation project, including international and national institutions, builds on the earlier work of the team in the nearby Early Harappan Necropolis Juna Khatiya, only 1.5 km away, where they have documented 197 funerals since 2019.
Critical context
Lakapar discoveries now provide critical housing to these funerals, indicating a dynamic, interconnected cultural landscape in the arid desert of Kachchh.
The excavation revealed structural residues, walls made of local sandstone and slate, indicating well planned construction activities.
Particularly remarkable is the presence of ceramics from early and classic Harappan phases, which date back to approximately 3300 BC. These findings include extremely rare lifetime, formerly known only from three places across Gujarat. The presence of this different ceramic tradition in Lakapar shows a culturally unique group within a greater civilization of Harappan.
Excavations to reveal ceramics and artifacts in the lacapar in Gujarat
Burial place
Even more interesting is the discovery of the human funeral near the settlement. The skeleton, although poorly preserved, was buried directly in the pit without visible architecture or brands and accompanied by pottery clay in front of the great -grandmother. This is the first known funeral to include this rare goods, indicating in the previously undocumented ritual practice or subgroup within the early population of Harappan, scientists emphasize.
“In addition to architecture and ceramics, a wide range of artifacts revealed: semiprecid stone beads made of carneneelians, agate, amazonite and steatite; shell ornaments, copper and terracotta objects, and lithium instruments.
The remnants of animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, fish bones and edible fragments of shells, suggest that the inhabitants relied on animal breeding and water resources. The samples were also collected for archeobotanic analysis to understand the use of plants and ancient diet.
According to Dr. Rajesha, which distinguishes Lakhakar, is that while Gujarat brought several early harappan points like Dhaneti, the proof of related settlements was still elusive. Lakapar converts this critical gap and offers a rare view of the living and dead of the same cultural groups.
Published – June 11, 2025 06:40
