News: BHU documented ~4,000 artefacts recovered from Rajghat after nearly 70 years of storage.

ABOUT

• Excavations were conducted during 1957–1969.
• Artefacts include ~3,000-year-old painted black pottery and a human skeleton.

Rajghat

• Ancient settlement in Varanasi, near the confluence of Ganga and Varana rivers.
• Considered an important centre for the urban development of ancient Varanasi.

Historical Significance

• Kashi was the capital of Kashi Janapada and later one of the 16 Mahajanapadas.
• Rajghat → major urban centre; Sarnath → pilgrimage centre.

Archaeological Evidence

• Oldest layer contains pre-Northern Black Polished Ware (pre-NBPW) pottery.
• Settlement dated to around 800 BCE.
• Finds include seals, Greek-inscribed seals, coins, ivory, iron objects and terracotta figurines.
• Evidence of trade, administration, crafts and urban life.

Human Skeleton

• Excavated in the 1960s; recently examined with modern technology.
• DNA analysis may reveal age, ancestry and lifestyle.

Significance

• Helps reconstruct the early history and urbanisation of Varanasi.
• BHU plans to preserve the artefacts and develop a museum for public display.