Haryana government has officially declared Mitathal and Tighrana in Bhiwani district as protected archaeological sites. These sites date back over 4,400 years, offering critical insights into early agricultural societies, town planning, and trade during the Harappan and post-Harappan periods. The move aims to preserve these ancient settlements from encroachment and damage.
Legal Protection
- Notification Date: March 13, 2025.
- Legal Framework: Protected under the Haryana Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1964.
- Protection Measures: Implementation of fencing and security arrangements to safeguard the sites.
Mitathal Site (Harappan Civilization)
- Discovery: First identified in 1913 with coins from the Gupta dynasty (Samudra Gupta).
- Excavations: Conducted from 1965 to 1968, revealing a Copper-Bronze Age culture (3rd–2nd millennia BCE).
- Archaeological Significance:
- Area: Spanning 10 acres.
- Features:
- Harappan-style town planning and architecture.
- Artifacts: Beads, bangles, terracotta items, and objects made of stone, shell, copper, ivory, and bone.
- Pottery: Red ware with black painted designs—pipal leaf, fish scale, and geometric patterns.
Tighrana Site (Post-Harappan/Chalcolithic Culture)
- Dating: Around 2,400 BCE, associated with Chalcolithic agricultural communities known as Sothians.
- Location: Nearby regions including Chang, Mitathal, and Tighrana.
- Settlement Features:
- Thatched-roof mud-brick houses, possibly fortified.
- Settlements with 50 to 100 houses.
Lifestyle and Tools at Tighrana
- Agriculture: Domestication of animals—cows, bulls, goats.
- Craft Industry:
- Jewelry and bead-making evidenced by beads and green carnelian bangles.
- Use of wheel-made ceramics with bichrome black-and-white designs.
- Tools: Extensive use of copper, bronze, and stone tools.
Archaeological Importance
- The sites span from Pre-Siswal to Post-Harappan periods, making them key chronological settlement sites.
- Insights into the evolution of early urbanization, agriculture, and trade networks.
Broader Implications
- Strengthens India’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
- Enhances Haryana’s role in understanding the Indus Valley Civilization’s geographical spread.
- Potential for tourism development, academic research, and heritage conservation.
