New Delhi: India has several sites of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation and Gola Dhoro is one of them. It is an archaeological site situated at the Gulf of Kutch’s head, near Bagasara in Gujarat’s Kutch district. There is a small fortified area at the site with living quarters and places to manufacture. In this article, we will learn more about this site.
How old is Gola Dhoro?
The site Gola Dhoro dates from 2500-2000 BC. Since 1996, excavation took place there and a unique Harappan seal was found. The seal was hollow inside and was the first of its kind. Excavation works at the site revealed evidence of trade and manufacture. The findings showed the significance of those Harappan sites which are small and the role they played in the Indus Valley Civilization’s economic development.
Gola Dhoro was a small settlement and many copper objects were found there. A copper vessel with eight bangles, an axe, and copper knives with bone handles have been found. A unique copper battle-axe was also found and the battle-axe’s small size suggests it was probably used for rituals. The unique copper knives were found along with many fish bones, which suggests that the knives were possibly used to dry fish.
Five inscribed steatite seals were found and they were common in the Indus Valley Civilisation’s urban centres. They were possibly used for trade activities. The settlement had a wall which was built in three stages. The place had prospering trade activities and the production of semi-precious stone beads and shell bangles was the speciality of Gola Dhoro, along with copper and faience objects. The bead was manufactured outside the walled area. The place was a centre for trade and industry. It also engaged in overseas trade since and transported goods to Oman.
