In a landmark archaeological breakthrough, remains of a 4,500-year-old Harappan (Indus Valley) civilisation have been discovered near the Pakistan border in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district.

The site, located at Ratadia Ri Deri, lies approximately 60 kilometers from Ramgarh tehsil and 17 kilometers northwest of the border village Sadewala.

The discovery was made through a collaborative effort involving Dilip Kumar Saini, a researcher in the Department of History and Indian Culture at Rajasthan University, historian Parth Jagani from Jaisalmer, Professor Jeevan Singh Kharkwal of Rajasthan Vidyapeeth, Udaipur, Dr Tamegh Panwar, and Dr Ravindra Devda from Rajasthan University, with support from local contributors Chatar Singh ‘Jam’ and Pradeep Kumar Garg of Ramgarh.

This is the first recorded case of Harappan remains being found in the Thar desert region, suggesting a significant expansion of the civilisation’s geographical footprint. The team has confirmed the authenticity of the site and submitted their research for publication in the Indian Journal of Science.

Artifacts found at the site point to a developed, urban Harappan settlement. Key discoveries include:

• Red and wheat-colored pottery, including bowls, pitchers, cups, and perforated jars
• Handmade pottery decorated with geometric patterns
• Blades (8–10 cm) made from chert stone, likely sourced from Rohri in present-day Pakistan
• Bangles made from clay and conch shells
• Terracotta cakes in triangular, circular, and idli-like shapes
• Stone mills, likely used for grinding and rubbing materials
• Wedge-shaped bricks, indicative of circular structures or furnaces
• Standard rectangular bricks, associated with Harappan urban planning
• A furnace structure with a central column, comparable to those found at Kanmer (Gujarat) and Mohenjodaro (Pakistan)
• Remains of ancient walls, suggesting organized construction and layout

“This is a significant find in the context of Rajasthan’s desert archaeology,” said researcher Dilip Kumar Saini. “The presence of Harappan remains in such a remote, sandy terrain suggests a previously unknown settlement that endured the harsh conditions of the Thar desert.”

Historian Parth Jagani emphasised the site’s strategic and cultural importance, stating, “This is the first Harappan urban settlement discovered in the desert region between North Rajasthan and Gujarat. Its proximity to the Pakistan border adds another layer of historical significance.”

The site came to academic attention after local teacher Pradeep Kumar Garg reported findings to the Save Our Heritage Foundation. A subsequent visit in June by Dr Pankaj Chandak, Assistant Professor of History in Himachal Pradesh and author of An Introduction to Archaeology, and Dr Krishnapal Singh, Principal of Aravali Mahavidyalaya, further validated the site’s significance.

Dr Chandak and Dr Singh noted the presence of red and wheat-colored handmade pottery, chert knives, and ancient brick walls. Decorative geometric patterns on many artifacts suggest a socially and economically advanced society. They estimate the ancient city spanned approximately 50 by 50 meters and was likely located at the mouth of the now-extinct Saraswati River.

This newly unearthed site offers a rare glimpse into the urban and cultural life of the Harappan civilisation in one of India’s most arid and remote regions. Further excavations and studies are expected to yield valuable insights into the spread and adaptation of one of the world’s earliest urban cultures.

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