Mysterious submerged structures off Indian coast

Submitted by Andy B on Saturday, 02 June 2001  Page Views: 1602

<< News >>

NEW DELHI: Marine scientists have discovered archaeological sites submerged in the Gulf of Cambay similar to on-land structures of the Harappan and pre-Harappan era.

Structures very similar to the great bath, Acropolis, temples and granaries had been located in the National Institute of Ocean Technology discovery, made a few weeks ago.

Releasing underwater acoustic images of the sites, human resource development minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi said that it was the first time that such sites had been reported in the Gulf of Cambay. "It is important that the structures have a similarity with the structures found on-land on archaeological sites of Harappan and pre-Harappan times," Joshi said.

Multi-disciplinary underwater surveys carried out by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, picked up images of several geometrical objects which were normally man-made in the 9-km long stretch west of Hazira in Gujarat.

The area has been seen lined with house-basement-like-features partially covered by sand waves and sand ripples at a depth of 30-40 metres.

The acoustic images point to the existence of some Harappan-like ruins below the sea bed.

Joshi said findings revealed that a few major rivers had been flowing approximately in the east-west direction coinciding with the course of the present day Tapti and Narmada rivers. Due to the geological processes and tectonic events, the entire Cambay area might have sunk along with river sections and the settlement.

The scientists, Joshi said, were working on the assumption that frequent major earthquakes in the region caused upheavals, which eventually led to submergence. The Bhuj earthquake in January has caused an upheaval of upto one metre.

It has been concluded that around 6000 years ago, the sea level was about six metres higher than at present, and it stabilised at the present level about 4000 years ago, with minor fluctuations. The new findings are thus believed to be between 4000 and 6000 years old.

Scientists have inferred a Gujarat coastline during the Indus Valley civilisation showing that places like Lothal were port cities. The ocean has now extended to those areas. Joshi said scientists were also being guided by the work of earlier historians.

Congratulating the scientists on their work, the minister said marine archaeology was still weak in India and lamented the fact that there was even a lack of good divers and equipment.