For the first time ever, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed the remains of a chariot and other antique items that dates back to 'Bronze Age' (2000-1800 BC), in Uttar Pradesh's Sinauli village.
"It is shocking to find such antique from ancient civilization in this area. Many royal tombs have also been found during excavation. Whatever has been found so far seems to be 4,000 years old which is approximately 2000-1800 BC," ASI officials said.
"The evidences of graves and tombs have been found so far for the first time, while old tombs are kept in the casket," officials added.
The remains found in the excavation site include a chariot, four copper antenne swords, copper crowns, greyware pottery, wheels (some without spokes), ornaments, helmets, shields, two daggers, seven channel-like objects and human remains.
A Excavation in Sanauli, Baghpat, Uttar pradesh, India brings out a exciting news
— đźđł à„ Anmol Katiyar (@Anmol_77) June 5, 2018
Weapons made from Copper, pots, Chariot are found dating back more than 5000 years which again proves the first civilization was started in 'INDIA' #India #Baghpat #Civilisation #History #BronzeAge pic.twitter.com/geH0AAi8RO
The excavation had been going on in Sanauli for the last five months since February 15, 2018.
Meanwhile, ASI official Dr. SK Manjul said it is the first case where an entire chariot has been found.
The relics suggest the existence of a two-wheeled open vehicle that may have been driven by one person. "The wheels rotated on a fixed axle linked by a draft pole to the yoke of a pair of animals. The axle was attached with a superstructure consisting of a platform protected by side-screens and a high dashboard," Dr Manjul told news agency. The wheels and the pole were decorated with copper triangles, symbolic of the rays of the sun.
Dr Manjul described the excavation drive a "path-breaking" one not only because of whole the chariot that was found but also for the copper plated anthropomorphic figures, having horns and peepal-leafed crowns, which indicate a possibility of "royal burials".
While coffins have been discovered during past excavations in Harappa, Mohenjo-daro and Dholavira but never with copper decorations, said Dr Manjul adding that "for the first time in the entire sub-continent we have found this kind of coffin. The cover is highly decorated with eight anthropomorphic figures and the sides with floral motifs."
The discovery of swords, daggers, shields and a helmet confirms the existence of a warrior population, and the earthen and copper pots, semi-precious and steatite beads, combs, and a copper mirror from the burial pits point towards sophisticated craftsmanship and lifestyle
He also added that the discovery puts India at par with other ancient civilizations, like Mesopotamia, Greece, etc. where chariots were extensively used.
Notably, the Bronze Age is a historical period characterized by the use of bronze, and in some areas proto-writing, and other early features of urban civilization.
This #Archaeology find in Sanauli, #UttarPradesh , is likely to be an inflection point in #Indian #historiography. Oldest chariot in India. This report has a picture too. I await more details. https://t.co/KfgWuoax4B
— HistoryCulture (@HistoryCulture1) June 5, 2018
4000 years old chariot found in Uttar Pradesh. Now I am waiting for Romila Thapar and Irfan Habib to explain how Yogi traveled through time and put it there to trash their Aryan Invasion Theory.
— Mayank Gupta (@Mayank29Gupta) June 7, 2018