Gujarat?s Harappan Necropolis

Gujarat’s Harappan Necropolis

News: Excavations at one of the biggest necropolises at Juna Khatiya village (Kutch, Gujarat) show rows of graves with valuable items such as Ceramic pots, beaded jewellery, animal bones etc. 

What is a necropolis?
• A necropolis is a large, designed cemetery with elaborate tomb monuments. The name stems from the Ancient Greek meaning “city of the dead“. 
• The pyramid at Giza, in Egypt, is an example of a necropolis — it’s the tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh.

About Juna Khatiya:
• It is located about 30 km from Lakhpat in Kutch district, Gujarat.
• It has emerged as one of the biggest Harappan burial sites with the possibility of 500 graves of which about 125 have been found so far.
• The archaeologists found rows of graves with skeletal remains, ceramic pots, plates and vases, beaded jewellery and animal bones.
• The burials discovered at this site date from 3,200 BCE to 2,600 BCE, predating Dholavira—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and several other Harappan sites in the state. 
• The site is important because others like Dholavira have a cemetery in and around the town, but no major habitation has been discovered near Juna Khatiya.
• The site demonstrates the transition from earth-mound burials to stone graves. The pottery from the site has features and styles similar to those excavated from early Harappan sites in Sindh and Balochistan.  

What does study of Burial site reveal?
• A study of its burial rites, rituals and customs has revealed many details about life in this culture.
• They demonstrate that around the world- ancient afterlife items are buried along with the body in almost all the civilizations
• Gender difference - A higher number of votive pots (offering pots) in male graves indicates women were not considered equal to male citizens.
• Shows multiple classes - Ornaments were found on women of multiple social classes, including necklaces and bangles made of copper, shell, and gemstones.
• Connection with other civilizations - Archeologists currently presume the objects in votive pots were to serve the individuals in the afterlife. Some burial customs are similar to their contemporary Egyptian civilization.