Marine Archaeological Explorations on the Southwestern Coast of Saurashtra, India

Marine archaeological investigations brought to light a large number of antiquities suggesting active maritime practices along the Saurashtra coast dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Recent underwater explorations between Miyani and Madhavpur on the Saurashtra coast yielded the remains of jetties along the Porbandar creek, stone anchors at Srinagar, Ghumli and Tukda. Stone anchors were also reported off Miyani (Harshad Mata) and Kindari creek. The discovery of these stone anchors also indicate that the mouth of creeks had been extensively used as anchoring points by ancient mariners. This is one parameter to explain anchoring points and existence of ancient ports on the coast of India. Creeks and the banks of tidal rivershad provided sheltered harbours forancient settlers on the Saurashtra coast. This coast has been a focal point for marine archaeological research in India. A large number of archaeological sites of different periods have been discovered and a few of them have been extensively excavated. The antiquities of these sites indicate active maritime practices in this part of the Indian subcontinent. Important coastal sites that have been excavated so far are Lothal (Ra