Overview

• Archaeological team led by Dilip Kumar Saini and Parth Jagani uncovered mature-phase Harappan remains at Ratadiya Ri Dheri in Jaisalmer district
• Excavators recovered red ware pottery, perforated jars, terracotta cakes, clay and shell bangles, Rohri chert blades and a kiln with wedge-shaped bricks
• The rural settlement’s dating bridges a gap between known Harappan centres in northern Rajasthan and Gujarat and indicates extensive hinterland trade
• University of Rajasthan and Rajasthan Vidyapeeth experts authenticated the site ahead of submitting a detailed paper to the Indian Science Journal
• Further trenching will investigate the settlement layout and its adaptation to the Thar Desert environment