Draft:Jodhpura archaeological site

The Jodhpura archaeological site was excavated by archaeologists Ratnachandra Agrawal and Vijaykumar from 1972 to 1975, along the Sabi River in the Jaipur district. Dating from 2500 BCE to 200 CE, this ancient civilization revealed various artifacts, including slate-colored pictorial vessels, utensils, remnants of iron implements such as weapons and jewelry. Excavations also unveiled furnaces for iron smelting and tools crafted from the obtained iron.

In 1972-73, the authors conducted archaeological excavations at Jodhpura 27.51667°N, 76.08333°W in Tehsil Kotputli, district Jaipur, Rajasthan. The site, located 98 kilometers from Tainur town, featured remnants on the right bank of the Sahi River.

Benwa/Sikar Excavations
In Benwa village, Sikar District, a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted excavations to explore a potential 'copper culture' dating back to the early Harappan civilization (3300 BCE to 2600 BCE). The site, surrounded by the copper-rich Aravalli range, holds promise for uncovering ancient artifacts related to the Ganeshwar Jodhpura Culture. This culture involved copper trade with contemporaneous civilizations like Harappa and the Ahar-Banas Culture (3000 – 1500 BCE).

Archaeologist Vinay Gupta, leading the Sikar excavation, aims to unravel the region's oldest culture, emphasizing its historical significance. The site's proximity to Ganeshwar, where previous excavations revealed artifacts linked to the Harappan civilization, adds to its importance.

The excavation team, facing challenges such as the Rajasthan summer, has uncovered various items, including pottery shards, sling balls, broken spears, and remnants of furnaces. The goal is to study the cultural changes and reach the lowest layers of the excavation site, shedding light on regional settlements and pottery variations.

Ganeshwar Jodhpura Culture
The Ganeshwar-Jodhpura Culture, northeast of Rajasthan, stood as the largest copper-producing community in India around 3000 BCE. Although lacking absolute dates, multiple excavations have placed Ganeshwar in the Early Harappan period (2800 BCE) and revealed its significance in ancient trade networks.

The ongoing Sikar excavation seeks to address gaps in the chronology of this region, exploring its rich cultural heritage and potential connections with other civilizations.