Sutkagan Dor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sutkagan Dor
Shown within Pakistan
Alternate name Sutkagen Dor
Location Balochistan, Pakistan
Region Makran
Coordinates 25°29′54″N 61°51′01″E / 25.49833°N 61.85028°E / 25.49833; 61.85028Coordinates: 25°29′54″N 61°51′01″E / 25.49833°N 61.85028°E / 25.49833; 61.85028
Type Settlement
Area 4.5 ha (11 acres)
History
Cultures Indus Valley Civilization

Sutkagan Dor (or Sutkagen Dor) is the westernmost[1] known archaeological site of Indus Valley Civilization . It is located about 480 km west of Karachi on Makran coast near the Iran border in Baluchistan in Pakistan. This site is near the western bank of the Dasht and its confluence with a smaller stream, known as the Gajo Kaur. It was a smaller settlement with substantial stone walls and gateways.[2]

Excavations

Sutkagan Dor was discovered in 1875 by Major E. Mockler, who conducted a small excavation here.

In 1928, Aurel Stein came here as a part of his Gedrosia tour and conducted a small excavation. During October 1960, Sutkagan Dor was excavated by George F. Dales as a part of his Makran Survey.[1] Over here a structure was found which was made from stone and mud bricks and was made without straw.

Architecture

This site measures approximately 4.5 hectares (300 × 150 m).[1] Along with the usual "citadel" and "lower town",[3] a massive fortification wall of semi-dressed stones exists. This citadel wall varies in height and thickness due to the irregular contours of the natural rock foundation, but at one point about midway along the eastern wall, it is approximately 7.5 m thick at the base. The inner face of the wall is slightly battered, whereas the outer face has a decided slope, varying from 23° to 40°.

Coastal route

Though inland at present, this site may have been near navigable water in ancient times and on a trade route between other centers. A coastal route existed linking sites such as Lothal and Dholavira to Sutkagan Dor on the Makran coast.[4] It isalso suggested that this site must have been an important trading post, connecting seaborn trade from Pursian Gulf/Arabian Sea to hinterland.[5]

Findings

Stein recovered 127 flint blades without cores measuring up to 27.5 cms.[1] Stone vessels, copper arrow heads, stone arrow heads, shell beads, pottery, dish-on-stand etc. were found. A copper-bronze disc probably associated with Bactria-Margiana Archeological complex (BMAC) was also discovered here.[1]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Possehl, Gregory L. (2003). The Indus Civilization : A Contemporary perspective ([3rd printing]. ed.). New Delhi: Vistaar Publications. pp. 79–80. ISBN 8178292912. 
  2. ↑ McIntosh, Jane R. (2008). The Ancient Indus Valley : New Perspectives. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO. p. 169. ISBN 9781576079072. 
  3. ↑ Shendge, Malathi J. (2003). The Civilized Demons: The Harappans in Rigveda. Abhinav Publications. p. 209. ISBN 8170170648. 
  4. ↑ Singh, Upinder (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India : from the Stone Age to the 12th century. New Delhi: Pearson Education. p. 167. ISBN 9788131711200. 
  5. ↑ Singh, Sarva Daman (1968). Ancient Indian Warfare With Special Reference To The Vedic Period. Brill Archive. p. 122. 

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.