Sinauli excavations

Hello everyone

So now that we discussed much on IVC, let's now discuss something on another nearly contemporary civilization in India, this was in the Ganga belt just a few hundred miles from IVC/SSVC

Unlike IVC, this was discovered very late (and ASI is yet to come with an official paper on it)

The first time it was noticed was in early 2000s, but then the team couldn't get permission to dig since this was a inhabited area and the entire thing went in cold stores

Over a decade later, ASI got government permision to dig in there and wonder oh wonder what treasures we found

It was a grave and we saw many things buried there metal artifacts, weapons and most importantly chariots

Yes this is the oldest evidence of chariots found on Indian soils

This dates to 1800-1500 BCE and as per ASI chief Sanjay Manjul, this is only the first layer, they expect to find at least 2 layers beneath it which means this could be a continuous civilization since 3500 BCE+

Watch a documentary made on this 'Secrets of Sinauli'. A good watch for casual viewers. Enough to want you to explore more if you are interested.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS7-HTTUrI3SIW8EcM4iCcH00oB2LM0-k&si=jFYBLOrkuziv7faw

Some snippets.

Full Show on Amazon prime or Discovery Plus app.

This discovery is so new, that is very less material on it. Many scholers were surprised to find a chariot in this period in India.

Originally posted by: devashree_h

This discovery is so new, that is very less material on it. Many scholers were surprised to find a chariot in this period in India.

Many western historians initially tried to discard it as a cart, however the visit on western historians in India to study this actually convinced them that is indeed a charior.

Unfortunately though we couldn't find proper DNA sample from the skeletons so difficult to find whom these people were

The archaeological site of Sinauli in western Uttar Pradesh, India has yielded many discoveries, including:

Chariots: Some scholars believe the solid-wheel carts found at the site were horse-drawn chariots used in warfare. Others suggest that the carts were pulled by oxen, given the lack of spoked wheels.

Coffins: Wooden legged coffins were found at the site.

Weapons: Copper antenna swords and war shields were found at the site.

Helmet: A copper helmet that may be the world's oldest, dating back to 2000 BCE, was found at the site.

Pottery: Pottery was found at the site.

Whip: A whip to indicate to the animals was found at the site.

Female warriors: Female warriors buried with their swords were found at the site.

Originally posted by: FlauntPessimism

Many western historians initially tried to discard it as a cart, however the visit on western historians in India to study this actually convinced them that is indeed a charior.

Unfortunately though we couldn't find proper DNA sample from the skeletons so difficult to find whom these people were

Now they say, it probably did not have Horse but oxen.

Originally posted by: devashree_h

Now they say, it probably did not have Horse but oxen.

That is the only point of contention left now. That being a chariot and not a cart has been confirmed.

Trivia-- Rig Ved also mentions oxen driven chariots