Sinauli Archaeological Site – Burning Issues – Free PDF Download

Q) The World Monuments Fund is dedicated to the preservation of historic architecture and cultural heritage sites around the world. Which of the following is correct about the organization?

1. It functions under the UNESCO.
2. It is a private, non-profit organization.
3. It is under the US Federal Government.
4. It is an inter governmental organization, and functions independently of the UNESCO.

• Manoj Bajpai’s latest show Secrets of Sinauli is set to release on Discovery Plus, soon.
• The show is based on the archaeological finds at Sinauli in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district.
• At Sinauli, evidence of the existence of a warrior class around 2,000 BCE was discovered in 2018.

• Excavations in Sinauli had first begun in 2005.
• Between 2005 and 2006, 116 burials were found at the site.
• This made it one of India’s largest known necropolis of the chalcolithic period.
• The tombs had underground chambers.
• The burial pits had legged coffins.
• Systematically arranged vases, bowls and pots have also been found in the tombs.
• There also was rice in pots, buried with the bodies.
• One coffin was found to be decorated with 8 anthropomorphic figures.
• The burials show similarity with the vedic rituals.
• Impressions of cloth found on bodies suggested the purification of corpses, just like in Hindu rituals today.
• After the necropolis discoveries of 2005-06, work and interest at the site slowly faded away.

• The chariots found at the site, have a fixed axle linked by a long pole to the small yoke.
• The axle, chassis and wheels show similarity to modern chariots.
• They were probably draw by a pair of animals like horses.

• The elaborate burials and remains of chariots and weapons, indicate the presence of a warrior tribe, that inhabited the region.
• Female warriors – burials with swords
• Legs of females have been removed around ankle
• This region being fertile, was suited for agriculture.
• Therefore, a large kingdom could grow on it.
• The culture also hints at an interaction between the Ganga Yamuna Doab culture, and the late mature Indus Valley Civilization.
• The pottery found at the Sanauli site is of Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP) culture.
• OCP and Harappa – Lingering question?

• Dating of the artefacts were done by Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleosciences in Lucknow.
• Through C-14 dating technique.
• Human remains were inspected by the Deccan College, Pune and a lab in Hyderabad, for the DNA samples.

• The ASI’s notification was under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
• The67-hectare-site is now under Central protection.
• The site is now maintained by the ASI and development works around it is subject to Central rules.
• The unearthed objects are kept at the ASI Institute of Archaeology

Importance now

• Since the artefacts belong to the same age as the late mature Harappan era, it can open up clues to the decline of the IVC.
• These are the oldest chariots found in the Indian subcontinent.
• Hence, the idea of a warrior class in 2000 to 1800BC arouses interest.
• It can offer us insights to early Hindu culture.

Answer: b.

• World Monuments Fund (WMF) is a private, international, non-profit organization.

Latest Burning Issues | Free PDF

Sharing is caring!