ASI to explore Sarasvati River Sites

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sarasvatisindhu, Srinivasan Kalyanaraman

<kalyan97@g...> wrote:

ASI to explore sites along mythological Saraswati

Gaurav Bisht

Shimla, September 11

 

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL Survey of India (ASI) is all set to excavate some

historic sites in Himachal in order to detect the cultural linkage of

civilisations that existed on the course of the mythological Saraswati

river. The ASI mini-circle in Shimla has urged the Centre to allow a

trial run at four ancient sites in Sirmaur district, which were once

flourishing cities.

 

According to the proposal submitted to the Centre by the ASI

mini-circle, the excavations are to be carried out around Shiva

temples at Mangarh in Shillai tehsil, Lena Cheta, Bajas, Lohgarh fort

and Shansra Dara cave, all in Sirmaur district. Evidence gathered by

the ASI revealed that the fort at Lohgarh, constructed in the medieval

century, was buried under deposits of soil accumulated over the years.

Archaeologists found out that the fort was buried under 12 layers of

soil, about three metres deep. During the trial, archaeologists found

clay bricks, presumably the construction material of the fort.

 

Findings point out that Shiva temples are situated on the course of

the Saraswati.

 

"The primary objective of these explorations and excavation was to

determine the antiquity of these cites and arrive at a conclusion

regarding the successive cultures that developed in this region, and

also to arrive at the chronology of events," said I.G. Diwedi, Deputy

Superintendent, ASI mini-circle, Shimla. Archaeologists believe that

there could be more evidence of the mythological river around the

fossil park at Suketi in Sirmaur.The ASI has detected 2,000 of the

2,600 proto-historic and historical sites in the basin of the

Saraswati.

 

Studies show that the river originated from Adi Bhadri, in Yamunagar

district of Haryana.

 

The ASI has also constituted a five-member team to date ancient

monuments in Himachal Pradesh. A majority of these monuments are of

the post-Gupta and medieval periods.

 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1001175,0015002000000073.htm

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