Record Details

Shoreline changes during the last 2000 years on the Saurashtra coast of India: Study based on archaeological evidences

DRS at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography

View Archive Info
 
 
Field Value
 
Title Shoreline changes during the last 2000 years on the Saurashtra coast of India: Study based on archaeological evidences
 
Creator Gaur, A.S.
Vora, K.H.
Sundaresh
 
Subject Bet Dwarka
Saurashtra coast
 
Description Shoreline shift coupled with sea-level change have always remained intriguing aspects due to wider ramifications for the populations living on the coast. Different methods are employed to understand and explain their causes and quantum. In this communication an attempt is made to study shoreline and sea-level changes during the last 2000 years on the basis of archaeological evidence. Archaeological excavations undertaken at Bet Dwarka (western most part of India) revealed an interesting cultural sequence commencing from protohistoric period (3800 yrs BP) to historical period (1600 yrs BP). Excavation was undertaken in six trenches up to the lowest level of archaeological findings. The results from these trenches suggest that the oldest habitation was situated below the present high water line. This is an indication of a lower sea level during that period of settlement. Sup(14)C ages and archaeological data suggest a time bracket for these habitations between 2050 and 1650 yrs BP (calibrated). Analysis of sea level versus ancient settlement suggests that around the Christian era sea level was lower by 2 m than the present. The remains from the excavation also suggest that one of the attractions for early settlers was the availability of marine resources around the island. Data from early historical period and other archaeological sites situated along the Indian coast confirm this finding.
 
Date 2007-03-30T04:37:07Z
2007-03-30T04:37:07Z
2007
 
Type Journal Article
 
Identifier Current Science, vol.92(1), 103-110pp.
http://drs.nio.org/drs/handle/2264/555
 
Language en
 
Rights Full-text of the paper hosted with the permission from Publisher
 
Format 205685 bytes
application/pdf
 
Publisher Indian Academy of Sciences