4500 years old history hidden in the dunes of Thar, remains of Harappan civilization found

A new and significant chapter of history has emerged in the western desert region of ​​Rajasthan. A very profound archaeological site from the Harappan period has been unearthed at a place named Ratadia Ri Deri, situated around 60 km north-west of Ramgarh tehsil of Jaisalmer district. This find is regarded as highly significant from the perspective of the expansion of the oldest urban culture of the Indian subcontinent, Harappa or Indus Valley Civilization.

This historical discovery was made by Dilip Kumar Saini, researcher of the Department of History and Indian Culture of Rajasthan University, historian Parth Jagani, Ramgarh resident Chatar Singh 'Jam', Prof. The team of Jeevan Singh Kharkwal (Rajasthan Vidyapeeth, Udaipur), Dr. Tamegh Panwar, Dr. Ravindra Deora, and Pradeep Kumar Garg has done this. In June 2025, this site was also inspected by Dr. Pankaj Chandak of Himachal University and Dr. Krishnapal Singh, Principal of Aravali Mahavidyalaya, Sumerpur.

According to archaeologists, this site may be about 4500 years old. A large quantity of red-coated pottery (pots, bowls, perforated jars), blades made of chert stone, clay, and conch bangles, triangular and idli-shaped terracotta cakes, grinding stones, and remains of furnaces have been found here. The column-like structure found inside a furnace in the southern part of the site bears similarities with the Mohenjo-Daro and Kanmer sites of Gujarat. Apart from this, wedge-shaped bricks have also been found, which were used in the construction of circular structures of the Harappan period.

According to researcher Dilip Saini, this is the first such rich and clear archaeological site related to the Harappan culture in the Thar region. This not only confirms the geographical expansion of this ancient civilization, but also proves that urban life was possible even in the harsh and dry environment of the Thar.

According to historian Parth Jagani, this discovery is the first clear evidence of the Harappan civilization in the Thar region, spread between northern Rajasthan and Gujarat, which makes it very special from an archaeological point of view. He believes that if this site is scientifically excavated and preserved, it can add a new chapter to the Indian archaeological map.

This excavation of Ratadia Ri Dairy is not only an archaeological feat, but also can be a symbol of the rediscovery of Rajasthan's cultural awareness and history. If it is protected and further researched, this site can enhance Rajasthan's presence in international historical debate.