Ratadiya Ri Dher

A Harappan site, believed to be a rural settlement, has been discovered at Ratadiya Ri Dheri in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. This marks the first known Indus Valley settlement in the state’s arid Thar Desert region, filling a significant archaeological gap between previously known sites in northern Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Key Details of the Discovery:

• Location: The site is situated 60 km from Ramgarh tehsil and approximately 17 km northwest of Sadewala, a location in Pakistan where Harappan traces have also been found.
• Artifacts Found: The excavation has unearthed a variety of artifacts from the Mature Harappan phase (2600 to 1900 BCE), including:
  • A large quantity of fragmented pottery, such as red ware, slipped red ware, bowls, jars, and perforated vessels.
  • Stone blades made from chert, likely sourced from Rohri in Pakistan, indicating long-distance trade.
  • Terracotta cakes, grinding stones, clay and shell bangles, and other tools.
  • A kiln structure with a central column, similar to those found at the major Harappan sites of Kanmer in Gujarat and Mohenjo-daro in Pakistan.
  • Wedge-shaped bricks and typical Harappan-style bricks.
• Historical Context: Before this discovery, the most prominent Harappan site in Rajasthan was Pilibanga, located in the northern part of the state. The discovery of Ratadiya Ri Dheri pushes the frontier of the Harappan civilization southward into the heart of India’s desert, providing new insights into the civilization’s spread and its adaptation to diverse environments.