Source: www.timesofindia.com

NEW DELHI: Marine scientists have discovered archaeological sites
submerged in the Gulf of Cambay similar to on-land structures of the
Harappan and pre-Harappan era.

Releasing underwater acoustic images of the sites, human resource
development minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi said that it was the
first time that such sites had been reported in the Gulf of
Cambay. "It is important that the structures have a similarity with
the structures found on-land on archaeological sites of Harappan and
pre-Harappan times," Joshi said.

Structures very similar to the great bath, Acropolis, temples and
granaries had been located in the National Institute of Ocean
Technology discovery, made a few weeks ago.

Multi-disciplinary underwater surveys carried out by the National
Institute of Ocean Technology, picked up images of several
geometrical objects which were normally man-made in the 9-km long
stretch west of Hazira in Gujarat.

The area has been seen lined with house-basement-like-features
partially covered by sand waves and sand ripples at a depth of 30-40
metres.

The acoustic images point to the existence of some Harappan-like
ruins below the sea bed.

Joshi said findings revealed that a few major rivers had been flowing
approximately in the east-west direction coinciding with the course
of the present day Tapti and Narmada rivers.

Due to the geological processes and tectonic events, the entire
Cambay area might have sunk along with river sections and the
settlement.

The scientists, Joshi said, were working on the assumption that
frequent major earthquakes in the region caused upheavals, which
eventually led to submergence. The Bhuj earthquake in January has
caused an upheaval of upto one metre.

It has been concluded that around 6000 years ago, the sea level was
about six metres higher than at present, and it stabilised at the
present level about 4000 years ago, with minor fluctuations. The new
findings are thus believed to be between 4000 and 6000 years old.

Scientists have inferred a Gujarat coastline during the Indus Valley
civilisation showing that places like Lothal were port cities. The
ocean has now extended to those areas. Joshi said scientists were
also being guided by the work of earlier historians.

Congratulating the scientists on their work, the minister said marine
archaeology was still weak in India and lamented the fact that there
was even a lack of good divers and equipment.