Rakhigarchs

The Rakhigarchs significantly exceeded the size and age of the more widely known cities of that time, Harappu and Mohenjo-Daro ^[9] . The area of ​​Rakhigarchi was 350 ha, which is 50 ha more than Mohenjo-Daro ^[10] . About 4.5-5 thousand years ago, about 40 thousand people could live in Rakhigharhi. In winter, the inhabitants of Rakhigari and its suburbs grew wheat, barley, peas and vetch; in the summer they grew millet, urad-dal, horse chickpeas and rice of a local variety. All these crops, according to radiocarbon analysis, were grown by local residents in 2700-2600 BC. Obviously, rice was completely domesticated in South Asia separately from this process in China, and the ancestor of this rice was, most likely, the wild species Oryza nivara ^{[11] [12]} .

Excavations revealed a well-planned city. 1.92 meters wide roads. A little wider than in Kalibangan. Pottery is similar to finds in Kalibangan and Banavali . found pits surrounded by walls, presumably these are places for sacrifice. Fire was widely used in religious ceremonies. In Rahigarh, fiery altars and apsidal structures were discovered.

Sewer drains for water were lined with bricks. These drains were carried to the houses; in the houses, in fact, a sewage system was organized like a modern one. Terracotta statues, bronze ware, combs, copper fish hooks, a needle, terracotta fillings were found. Discovered a bronze vessel, decorated with gold and silver. A jewelry factory was found, together with 3,000 semiprecious stones. Stone polishing tools and special ovens were found. Signs of prosperous trade can be seen during excavations - there are finds of jewelry and weights. The weight stones found here are similar to others found in many other cities of Indian culture, confirming the existence of standardized weight systems. ^{[13] [14]}

Traces of cotton fabric stored on silver or bronze objects are known from Rahigarha, Chanhudaro and Harappa. ^[15]

The city had a granary belonging to the Mature phase of Indian Culture. - between 2600-2000 years BC. The granary is made of clay bricks, the floor is of compacted earth, plastered from above. There are 7 rectangular chambers. Significant traces of lime and decaying grass are found on the bottom of the granary wall. Lime at that time was used as an insecticide, preventing fungal formations on the grain. Grass was used to absorb moisture. Given the size, the granary was either state-owned or private - for the elite layer of citizens. ^[sixteen]

Nine mounds of Rakhigarchi are known, named in ascending order from RGR-1 to RGR-9. Barrow RGR-5 occupies the village of Rakhishahpur and it is not accessible for excavation. Discovered by archaeologists in 1963. Since then, the Archaeological Service of India has carried out detailed excavations of the city on an area of ​​more than 3 km² ^[17] . The city had paved roads, drainage systems, water tanks. Also, structures were found using terracotta bricks - ceramic unglazed colored clay products with a porous structure.

11 skeletons were found buried with their heads in a northerly direction. Next to these skeletons was laid utensils for everyday use. Three women had bracelets on their left wrist. Near one female skeleton a golden bracelet was found. In addition, semiprecious stones were found near the head, apparently being part of some kind of necklace. Eggs of parasites were found in the bones of the buried.

A brick granary was discovered that belongs to the mature Harappan phase (2600 BC - 2000 BC) and had 7 rectangular or square chambers. Only three layers of the early, mature and late stages of Indian civilization were found in Rakhigarh and at each level the city exceeded the size of Harappu and Mohenjo-Daro. In Rakhigharhi, the total thickness of the layers was 22 meters, while in Mohenjo-Daro only 17 meters ^[18] .

A cemetery of a mature period of Indian culture was discovered in which eight graves were found. The bodies were in brick grave pits, in one case there was a wooden coffin. ^[19] Various types of grave pits were cut to form a clay overhanging visor, and the body was placed under it; and then the top of the grave was filled with bricks to form a roof over the grave. ^[20]

A burial with 11 skeletons was discovered - the heads were turned northward. Next to their heads were housewares for everyday use. Three female skeletons have bracelets on their left wrists. About one female skeleton found a golden bracelet. Near the head were semi-precious stones, which indicates that they were part of the necklace. In April 2015, four full human skeletons were excavated from the RGR-7 mound. These skeletons belonged to two adult men, one woman and one child. Near these skeletons, ceramics with food grains and bracelets were found. Since the skeletons were excavated without any pollution, archaeologists believe that using the latest technology on these skeletons and the DNA obtained, we can determine how the Harappa looked like 4,500 years ago. ^[14]

In early 2015, archaeologists from Dean College and the Research Institute ( en: Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute ) from Pune removed from RGR-7 barrow in Rakhigarchi with all precautions so as not to contaminate modern DNA , 4 more skeletons - two men, woman and child. They belong to the developed Harappan period. Fossil DNA will be studied at the South Korean Seoul National University ^{[21] [22]} . According to the head of the ancient DNA laboratory of the Birbal Sahni Paleobotanical Institute ( en: Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany ) in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Niraj Rai in the Harappa samples from Rakhigarha does not have the Y chromosome haplogroup R1a . Thus, the theory of the exodus from India does not correspond to the available paleogenetic data ^{[23] [24]} . Dr. VS Shinde of Dean College Pune noted that Aryan- speaking Central Asians mixed up with indigenous people from the Indian subcontinent between 1500 BC. e. and 1000 BC e. with the formation of the ANI cluster (Ancestral North Indian). ANI is a mixed cluster that carries a strong presence of the Y chromosome haplogroup R1a. The ASI cluster (Ancestral South Indians) was formed as a result of a mixture of Iranian farmers and local Dravids. It is estimated that the mixing of the ANI and ASI clusters occurred after 500 BC. The ancient DNA from Rakhigharha did not coincide with any of the modern inhabitants of these places, but with the DNA of representatives of the Dravidian tribe of Yerul , who lives in the Nilgiri massif in southern India in the state of Tamil Nadu ^[25] .

• Can Rakhigarhi, the largest Indus Valley Civilization site be saved? (unspecified) . Sunday Times (June 3, 2012).