7 ancient sites in India you can still visit
By Madhavi Pothukuchi
April 21, 2022
One of the most interesting finds from the Harappan civilisation, Lothal is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in India. Dating back to 2200 BCE, it had the world’s first known dock and was an important trade port.
Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh
Located near Meerut, artefacts belonging to five different periods of history have been found here. Pieces of pottery, which were painted grey, are the most striking of them. The finds date as far back as 1200 BC to the 15th century.
Singadivakkam, Tamil Nadu
Discovered in 2010, this site holds answers to many unanswered questions from the Stone Age. Archaeologists have found tools such as axes, choppers, borers, and more, which date back 80,000 years.
Adichanallur, Tamil Nadu
Archaeological finds in South India are rare. So when skeletons in ancient urns bearing the Tamil Brahmi script were found in 2004, there was much excitement. Historians carbon dated the skeletons and found that they belonged to the period between 905 BC and 696 BC.
Sanauli, Uttar Pradesh
One of the biggest archaeological sites in India, Sanauli holds markings of the ancient Harappan period. Solid disk wheels belonging to the Bronze Age were found here, among other tools, coffins, and weapons – evidence of warrior class existence. Historians date the excavations to 2000-1800 BCE.
Nalanda University, Bihar
Known as the world’s first residential university, Nalanda was a renowned Buddhist University dating back to the 5th century. Ancient texts about the school show that it attracted scholars from all over Asia, especially China, as it taught the different schools of Buddhism as well as subjects like science, maths, and logic.
Rakhigarhi is home to an entire ancient city belonging to the early Harappan civilisation. It is the largest site of the Indus Valley civilization, and it includes seven mounds which have granaries, roads, and crematoriums. As of 2020, only five percent of the site has been excavated.