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'''Kunal''' is a [[Periodisation_of_the_Indus_Valley_Civilisation#Early,_Mature_and_Late_Harappan|Pre-Harappan]] [[Indus Valley Civilisation]] settlement located in [[Fatehabad district|Fatehabad]] district of [[Haryana]] state in India. Compared to other IVC sites, such as cities like [[Rakhigarhi]] and towns like [[Kalibangan]], Kunal site was a village.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-haryana-s-kunal-village-a-glimpse-of-life-before-harappa/story-wLMx93XxwQwMNMEsTwEp0J.html|title=In Haryana's Kunal village, a glimpse of life before Harappa}}</ref> Excavation at Kunal show 3 successive phases of Pre-Harappan indigenous culture on the Saraswati river who also traded with Kalibanga and [[Lothal]].<ref name=hargazc1/> Kunal, along with its other contemporary sites [[Bhirrana]] and [[Rakhigarhi]] on [[Sarasvati River|Sarasvati]]-[[Ghaggar-Hakra River|Ghaggar]] river system,<ref name=ku1/><ref name=jane/> is recognised as the oldest Pre-Harappan settlement,<ref name=jane/><ref name=bus1/> with Kunal being an older cultural ancestor to [[Rehman Dheri]] in Pakistan<<ref name=asi1/> which is on the Tentative List for future World Heritage Sites.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1877/ Karez System Cultural Landscape], [[UNESCO]], accessed 10 July 2021.</ref>
'''Kunal''' is a [[Periodisation of the Indus Valley Civilisation#Early, Mature and Late Harappan|Pre-Harappan]] [[Indus Valley Civilisation]] settlement located in [[Fatehabad district|Fatehabad]] district of [[Haryana]] state in India. Compared to other IVC sites, such as cities like [[Rakhigarhi]] and towns like [[Kalibangan]], Kunal site was a village.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-haryana-s-kunal-village-a-glimpse-of-life-before-harappa/story-wLMx93XxwQwMNMEsTwEp0J.html|title=In Haryana's Kunal village, a glimpse of life before Harappa}}</ref> Excavation at Kunal show 3 successive phases of Pre-Harappan indigenous culture on the Saraswati river who also traded with Kalibanga and [[Lothal]].<ref name=hargazc1/> Kunal, along with its other contemporary sites [[Bhirrana]] and [[Rakhigarhi]] on [[Sarasvati River|Sarasvati]]-[[Ghaggar-Hakra River|Ghaggar]] river system,<ref name=ku1/><ref name=jane/> is recognised as the oldest Pre-Harappan settlement,<ref name=jane/><ref name=bus1/> with Kunal being an older cultural ancestor to [[Rehman Dheri]] in Pakistan<<ref name=asi1/> which is on the Tentative List for future World Heritage Sites.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1877/ Karez System Cultural Landscape], [[UNESCO]], accessed 10 July 2021.</ref>


Kunal is 12 km southeast of [[Ratia]], 30 km northwest of [[Bhuna, Fatehabad|Bhuna]], 30 km northeast of [[Fatehabad, Haryana|Fatehabad]],  70 km north of [[Hisar (city)|Hisar]], 190 km southwest of [[Chandigarh]], 230 km northwest from [[Delhi]],
Kunal is 12&nbsp;km southeast of [[Ratia]], 30&nbsp;km northwest of [[Bhuna, Fatehabad|Bhuna]], 30&nbsp;km northeast of [[Fatehabad, Haryana|Fatehabad]],  70&nbsp;km north of [[Hisar (city)|Hisar]], 190&nbsp;km southwest of [[Chandigarh]], 230&nbsp;km northwest from [[Delhi]],


==Background ==
==Background ==
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===Site location ===
===Site location ===


Site is located closer to other important IVC sites, such as 18 km northeast of Bhirrana, 45 km northeast of [[Banawali]], 80 km northwest of Rakhigarhi, 85 km west of [[Balu, Haryana]], and 150 km northeast of [[Jognakhera]].  
Site is located closer to other important IVC sites, such as 18&nbsp;km northeast of Bhirrana, 45&nbsp;km northeast of [[Banawali]], 80&nbsp;km northwest of Rakhigarhi, 85&nbsp;km west of [[Balu, Haryana]], and 150&nbsp;km northeast of [[Jognakhera]].  


From ''Digoh-Kunal Road'', on the spot where a yellow metal board with red colored [[Hindi language|Hindi]] letters announces ''"Harrappa kalin sthal"'' (Harappan era site) with a painted red arrow below it pointing in the direction of the site,<ref name=bus1/> a 700 m long unpaved rural farm track to the west of ''Digoh-Kunal Road'' leads to this site. The site is immediate north (on right hand side) of the track. This track, perpendicular to both, connects ''Digoh-Kunal Road'' and ''Dholu-Mohammadpur Sotter Road''.  
From ''Digoh-Kunal Road'', on the spot where a yellow metal board with red colored [[Hindi language|Hindi]] letters announces ''"Harrappa kalin sthal"'' (Harappan era site) with a painted red arrow below it pointing in the direction of the site,<ref name=bus1/> a 700 m long unpaved rural farm track to the west of ''Digoh-Kunal Road'' leads to this site. The site is immediate north (on right hand side) of the track. This track, perpendicular to both, connects ''Digoh-Kunal Road'' and ''Dholu-Mohammadpur Sotter Road''.  
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===History of excavations===
===History of excavations===


After 1986 discovery of Kunbal as IVC site, it has been in 1992-93, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2017-present as of 2021.
After 1986 discovery of Kunbal as IVC site, it has been in 1992-93, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2017–present as of 2021.
<ref name=bus1>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-haryana-s-kunal-village-a-glimpse-of-life-before-harappa/story-wLMx93XxwQwMNMEsTwEp0J.html In Haryana's Kunal village, a glimpse of life before Harappa ], Hindustan Times, 19 MAY 2019.</ref> Excavations has been undertaken by various entities including, the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI), [[Indian Archaeological Society]] (IAS), [[National Museum of India]] (NMI, and the [[Haryana State Directorate of Archaeology & Museums|Haryana Archaeological Department]] (HAD).<ref name=ku1/> Excavations here are usually done in non-rainy season.
<ref name=bus1>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-haryana-s-kunal-village-a-glimpse-of-life-before-harappa/story-wLMx93XxwQwMNMEsTwEp0J.html In Haryana's Kunal village, a glimpse of life before Harappa ], Hindustan Times, 19 MAY 2019.</ref> Excavations has been undertaken by various entities including, the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI), [[Indian Archaeological Society]] (IAS), [[National Museum of India]] (NMI, and the [[Haryana State Directorate of Archaeology & Museums|Haryana Archaeological Department]] (HAD).<ref name=ku1/> Excavations here are usually done in non-rainy season.


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The earliest site of this culture is Kunal (4000 BCE)<ref name=asi1/> in Haryana which is older than Rehman Dheri (3300 BCE).<ref name=un1/> The ''type site'', the first excavated site of this type of culture is Kot Diji.<ref name=dd1/> Rehman Dheri, which was considered oldest example of this culture, is now the second oldest example of this culture after Kunal was excavated and found to be older than Rehman Dher with similar older cultural artifacts then the Rehman Dheri.<ref name=asi1/>  
The earliest site of this culture is Kunal (4000 BCE)<ref name=asi1/> in Haryana which is older than Rehman Dheri (3300 BCE).<ref name=un1/> The ''type site'', the first excavated site of this type of culture is Kot Diji.<ref name=dd1/> Rehman Dheri, which was considered oldest example of this culture, is now the second oldest example of this culture after Kunal was excavated and found to be older than Rehman Dher with similar older cultural artifacts then the Rehman Dheri.<ref name=asi1/>  


Kot Diji and Amri are close to each other in Sindh, they earlier developed indigenous culture which had common elements, later they came in contact with Harappan culture and fully developed into Harappan culture. Earliest examples of artifacts belonging to this culture were found at Rehman Dheri, however, later excavations found the oldest example of this culture at Kunal. These are cultural ancestor to site at [[Harappa]]. These sites have pre-Harappan indigenous cultural levels, distinct from the culture of Harappa, these are at Banawali (level I), Kot Diji (level 3A), Amri (level II}. Rehman Dheri also has a pre Kot Diji phase (RHD1 3300-28 BCE) which are not part of IVC culture. Kot Diji has two later phases that continue into and along side Mature Harappan Phase (RHDII and RHDII 2500-2100 BCE). Fortified towns found here are dated as follows.<ref name=dd1>Charles Keith Maisels, [https://books.google.ca/books?id=I2dgI2ijww8C&pg=PA216 ''Early Civilizations of the Old World: The Formative Histories of Egypt, The Levant, Mesopotamia, India and China.''] Routledge, 2003 {{ISBN|1134837305}}</ref><ref name=asi1/><ref name="Higham2009">{{cite book|first=Charles |last=Higham|title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=H1c1UIEVH9gC|page=9}}|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-1-4381-0996-1|pages=9–}}</ref><ref name=dd2>Sigfried J. de Laet, Ahmad Hasan Dani, eds. [https://books.google.com/books?id=BnY0KYbJC6wC&pg=PA674 ''History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C.''] UNESCO, 1996 {{ISBN|9231028111}} p.674</ref><ref name=tej1>Tejas Garge (2010), [http://www.ancient-asia-journal.com/articles/10.5334/aa.10203/ Sothi-Siswal Ceramic Assemblage: A Reappraisal.] Ancient Asia. 2, pp.15–40. {{DOI|10.5334/aa.10203}}</ref>  
Kot Diji and Amri are close to each other in Sindh, they earlier developed indigenous culture which had common elements, later they came in contact with Harappan culture and fully developed into Harappan culture. Earliest examples of artifacts belonging to this culture were found at Rehman Dheri, however, later excavations found the oldest example of this culture at Kunal. These are cultural ancestor to site at [[Harappa]]. These sites have pre-Harappan indigenous cultural levels, distinct from the culture of Harappa, these are at Banawali (level I), Kot Diji (level 3A), Amri (level II). Rehman Dheri also has a pre Kot Diji phase (RHD1 3300-28 BCE) which are not part of IVC culture. Kot Diji has two later phases that continue into and along side Mature Harappan Phase (RHDII and RHDII 2500-2100 BCE). Fortified towns found here are dated as follows.<ref name=asi1/><ref name=dd1>Charles Keith Maisels, [https://books.google.ca/books?id=I2dgI2ijww8C&pg=PA216 ''Early Civilizations of the Old World: The Formative Histories of Egypt, The Levant, Mesopotamia, India and China.''] Routledge, 2003 {{ISBN|1134837305}}</ref><ref name="Higham2009">{{cite book|first=Charles |last=Higham|title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=H1c1UIEVH9gC|page=9}}|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-1-4381-0996-1|pages=9–}}</ref><ref name=dd2>Sigfried J. de Laet, Ahmad Hasan Dani, eds. [https://books.google.com/books?id=BnY0KYbJC6wC&pg=PA674 ''History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C.''] UNESCO, 1996 {{ISBN|9231028111}} p.674</ref><ref name=tej1>Tejas Garge (2010), [http://www.ancient-asia-journal.com/articles/10.5334/aa.10203/ Sothi-Siswal Ceramic Assemblage: A Reappraisal.] Ancient Asia. 2, pp.15–40. {{DOI|10.5334/aa.10203}}</ref>  


* Kunal (5000/4000 BCE- ),<ref name=asi1/> in [[Hisar district]] of [[Haryana]] in India is the earliest site found with layers in phase I dating back to 5000 BCE<ref name=hargazc1>[http://revenueharyana.gov.in/Portals/0/hr-gaz-ch-5.pdf Haryana Gazateer], Revennue Dept of Haryana, Capter-V.</ref> and 4000 BCE,<ref name=asi1/> site's culture is an older ancestry of the Pre-Harappan site of Rehman Dheri which was dated to  3300 BC. A button seal was discovered at Kunal during 1998-99 excavations by [[Archaeological Survey of India]]. The seal is similar to the Rehman Dheri examples. It contained a picture of two deer on one side, and geometrical pattern on other side. The similar specimen from Rehman-Dheri is datable to {{circa|4000 BCE}}, which makes Kunal site an older ancestor of Rehman Dheri.<ref name=asi1>{{cite journal|last=Archaeological Survey of|first=India|title=Excavations at Kunal,Haryana|journal=Indian Archaeology 1998-99 a Review|year=2004|pages=11–12|url=http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201998-99%20A%20Review.pdf|access-date=13 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508064754/http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201998-99%20A%20Review.pdf|archive-date=8 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The second phase of Kunal corresponds to  ''post-[[neolithic]] phase of Hakra culture' (also called [[Periodisation_of_the_Indus_Valley_Civilisation#Early,_Mature_and_Late_Harappan|Early Harappan Phase, c.3300-2800 BCE or c.5000-2800 BCE]]) was also found.<ref name=ku1>[https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/museum-at-pre-harappan-site-soon-188106 Museum at pre-Harappan site soon], The Tribune, 23 Dec 2020.</ref>
* Kunal (5000/4000 BCE- ),<ref name=asi1/> in [[Hisar district]] of [[Haryana]] in India is the earliest site found with layers in phase I dating back to 5000 BCE<ref name=hargazc1>[http://revenueharyana.gov.in/Portals/0/hr-gaz-ch-5.pdf Haryana Gazateer], Revennue Dept of Haryana, Capter-V.</ref> and 4000 BCE,<ref name=asi1/> site's culture is an older ancestry of the Pre-Harappan site of Rehman Dheri which was dated to  3300 BC. A button seal was discovered at Kunal during 1998-99 excavations by [[Archaeological Survey of India]]. The seal is similar to the Rehman Dheri examples. It contained a picture of two deer on one side, and geometrical pattern on other side. The similar specimen from Rehman-Dheri is datable to {{circa|4000 BCE}}, which makes Kunal site an older ancestor of Rehman Dheri.<ref name=asi1>{{cite journal|last=Archaeological Survey of|first=India|title=Excavations at Kunal,Haryana|journal=Indian Archaeology 1998-99 a Review|year=2004|pages=11–12|url=http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201998-99%20A%20Review.pdf|access-date=13 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508064754/http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201998-99%20A%20Review.pdf|archive-date=8 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The second phase of Kunal corresponds to  ''post-[[neolithic]] phase of Hakra culture' (also called [[Periodisation of the Indus Valley Civilisation#Early, Mature and Late Harappan|Early Harappan Phase, c.3300-2800 BCE or c.5000-2800 BCE]]) was also found.<ref name=ku1>[https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/museum-at-pre-harappan-site-soon-188106 Museum at pre-Harappan site soon], The Tribune, 23 Dec 2020.</ref>
* [[Kot Diji]] (3300 BCE),<ref name=un1/> is the [[type site]], located in [[Sindh]] in Pakistan.
* [[Kot Diji]] (3300 BCE),<ref name=un1/> is the [[type site]], located in [[Sindh]] in Pakistan.
* [[Amri (Pre-Harappa)|Amri]] (3600–3300 BCE), also has non-Harappan phases during 6000 BC to 4000 BC, and later Harappan Phases till 1300 BCE.
* [[Amri (Pre-Harappa)|Amri]] (3600–3300 BCE), also has non-Harappan phases during 6000 BC to 4000 BC, and later Harappan Phases till 1300 BCE.
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{{anchor | Periodisation of the Indus Valley Civilisation }}
{{anchor | Periodisation of the Indus Valley Civilisation }}


Kunal, along with its contemporary Kunal and Bhirrana as well as Rakhigarhi,<ref name=ku1/> is recognised as the oldest pre-Harappan settlement.<ref name=jane/><ref name=bus1/> The carbon dating of Bhirrana site revealed that it dated back to 7030 BC (9,000 years old). The excavation in Kunal has show that it is contemporary to the Pre-Harappa phase of Bhirrana site - the oldest Indus civilisation site - 18 km from Kunal. The artifacts found at Kunal have provided significant information about the "lifestyle, socio-economic milieu and food habit of the people who lived along the Sarasvati River in the ancient times. Kunal, Bhirrana and Rakhigarhi were contemporary habitation sites". The [[hoard]] containing gold beads and copper rings at Kunal are evidence of developed village farming communities with trade links to far-flung countries for the import of metal and precious stones which are not found in this area.<ref name=ku1>[https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/museum-at-pre-harappan-site-soon-188106 Museum at pre-Harappan site soon], The Tribune, 23 Dec 2020.</ref> Discovery of a button seal during 1998-99 excavations by ASI shows this site's culture is an older ancestry of the [[Rehman Dheri]].<ref name=asi1/>
Kunal, along with its contemporary Kunal and Bhirrana as well as Rakhigarhi,<ref name=ku1/> is recognised as the oldest pre-Harappan settlement.<ref name=jane/><ref name=bus1/> The carbon dating of Bhirrana site revealed that it dated back to 7030 BC (9,000 years old). The excavation in Kunal has show that it is contemporary to the Pre-Harappa phase of Bhirrana site - the oldest Indus civilisation site - 18&nbsp;km from Kunal. The artifacts found at Kunal have provided significant information about the "lifestyle, socio-economic milieu and food habit of the people who lived along the Sarasvati River in the ancient times. Kunal, Bhirrana and Rakhigarhi were contemporary habitation sites". The [[hoard]] containing gold beads and copper rings at Kunal are evidence of developed village farming communities with trade links to far-flung countries for the import of metal and precious stones which are not found in this area.<ref name=ku1>[https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/museum-at-pre-harappan-site-soon-188106 Museum at pre-Harappan site soon], The Tribune, 23 Dec 2020.</ref> Discovery of a button seal during 1998-99 excavations by ASI shows this site's culture is an older ancestry of the [[Rehman Dheri]].<ref name=asi1/>


===Kunal culture is older ancestor of Pre-Harappan Rehman Dheri ===
===Kunal culture is older ancestor of Pre-Harappan Rehman Dheri ===


Discovery of a button seal during 1998-99 excavations by ASI shows this site's culture is an older ancestry of the Pre-Harappan site of Rehman Dheri which was dated to  3300 BC.<ref name=asi1>{{cite journal|last=Archaeological Survey of|first=India|title=Excavations at Kunal,Haryana|journal=Indian Archaeology 1998-99 a Review|year=2004|pages=11–12|url=http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201998-99%20A%20Review.pdf|access-date=13 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508064754/http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201998-99%20A%20Review.pdf|archive-date=8 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> This seal found at Kunal, datable to {{circa|4000 BCE}}, contained a picture of two deer on one side and a geometrical pattern on other side, which is similar to a specimen from Rehman-Dheri in [[ Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]].<ref name=asi1/>
Discovery of a button seal during 1998-99 excavations by ASI shows this site's culture is an older ancestry of the Pre-Harappan site of Rehman Dheri which was dated to  3300 BC.<ref name=asi1>{{cite journal|last=Archaeological Survey of|first=India|title=Excavations at Kunal,Haryana|journal=Indian Archaeology 1998-99 a Review|year=2004|pages=11–12|url=http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201998-99%20A%20Review.pdf|access-date=13 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508064754/http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201998-99%20A%20Review.pdf|archive-date=8 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> This seal found at Kunal, datable to {{circa|4000 BCE}}, contained a picture of two deer on one side and a geometrical pattern on other side, which is similar to a specimen from Rehman-Dheri in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]].<ref name=asi1/>


===Earliest Pre-Harappan site ===
===Earliest Pre-Harappan site ===
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* ''First phase:'' Dates back to 5,000 years ago is the oldest habitation, which has large dwelling pits of 1.10 m depth and 2 m diameter, whose [[omnivorous]] inhabitants also used [[Chalcedony]] blades, fish hooks, pottery wheels, domesticated plants and animals.<ref name=hargazc1/> This site yielded [[Hakra Ware culture|Hakra ware]] at entry level. Houses were built on an artificially elevated place.<ref name=singh>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Upinder|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India : from the Stone Age to the 12th century|year=2008|publisher=Pearson Education|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788131711200|pages=109, 145–6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC&q=kunal}}</ref>
* ''First phase:'' Dates back to 5,000 years ago is the oldest habitation, which has large dwelling pits of 1.10 m depth and 2 m diameter, whose [[omnivorous]] inhabitants also used [[Chalcedony]] blades, fish hooks, pottery wheels, domesticated plants and animals.<ref name=hargazc1/> This site yielded [[Hakra Ware culture|Hakra ware]] at entry level. Houses were built on an artificially elevated place.<ref name=singh>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Upinder|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India : from the Stone Age to the 12th century|year=2008|publisher=Pearson Education|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788131711200|pages=109, 145–6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC&q=kunal}}</ref>


* ''Second phase:'' The dwellings are made of moulded bricks.<ref name=hargazc1/> A dwelling pit of two metre diameter belonging to ''post-[[neolithic]] phase of Hakra culture'' (also called [[Periodisation_of_the_Indus_Valley_Civilisation#Early,_Mature_and_Late_Harappan|Early Harappan Phase, c.3300-2800 BCE or c.5000-2800 BCE]]) was also found.<ref name=ku1/>
* ''Second phase:'' The dwellings are made of moulded bricks.<ref name=hargazc1/> A dwelling pit of two metre diameter belonging to ''post-[[neolithic]] phase of Hakra culture'' (also called [[Periodisation of the Indus Valley Civilisation#Early, Mature and Late Harappan|Early Harappan Phase, c.3300-2800 BCE or c.5000-2800 BCE]]) was also found.<ref name=ku1/>


* ''Third phase:'' The final phase of excavation belongs to agriculturists who also reared domesticated animals and lived in houses containing living rooms, kitchens, toilets square and rectangular rooms built with bricks of standardised length-breadth-height ratio.<ref name=hargazc1/>
* ''Third phase:'' The final phase of excavation belongs to agriculturists who also reared domesticated animals and lived in houses containing living rooms, kitchens, toilets square and rectangular rooms built with bricks of standardised length-breadth-height ratio.<ref name=hargazc1/>
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Kunal site has been granted the protected status by the [[Government of Haryana]] which has also constructed a boundary wall around it for protection. This unguarded important site remains under the threat of encroachment and theft.re<ref name=bus1/> Experts have demanded specific project for surveying the largest area with ground penetrating radars to determine the exact extant of the site and subsequent land acquisition by the government for its preservation.  
Kunal site has been granted the protected status by the [[Government of Haryana]] which has also constructed a boundary wall around it for protection. This unguarded important site remains under the threat of encroachment and theft.re<ref name=bus1/> Experts have demanded specific project for surveying the largest area with ground penetrating radars to determine the exact extant of the site and subsequent land acquisition by the government for its preservation.  


Conservationists and villagers have demanded that the 1.2 km long unpaved track, connecting two paved roads, to the site must also be paved after changing its alignment (if needed) based on the ground penetrating radar surveys.
Conservationists and villagers have demanded that the 1.2&nbsp;km long unpaved track, connecting two paved roads, to the site must also be paved after changing its alignment (if needed) based on the ground penetrating radar surveys.


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 09:51, 11 December 2022

Kunal
Archaeological site
Kunal is located in Haryana
Kunal
Kunal
Kunal is located in India
Kunal
Kunal
Coordinates: 29°37.3′N 75°39.5′E / 29.6217°N 75.6583°E / 29.6217; 75.6583
CountryIndia
ProvinceHaryana
Time zoneUTC+5.30 (Indian Standard Time)

Kunal is a Pre-Harappan Indus Valley Civilisation settlement located in Fatehabad district of Haryana state in India. Compared to other IVC sites, such as cities like Rakhigarhi and towns like Kalibangan, Kunal site was a village.[1] Excavation at Kunal show 3 successive phases of Pre-Harappan indigenous culture on the Saraswati river who also traded with Kalibanga and Lothal.[2] Kunal, along with its other contemporary sites Bhirrana and Rakhigarhi on Sarasvati-Ghaggar river system,[3][4] is recognised as the oldest Pre-Harappan settlement,[4][5] with Kunal being an older cultural ancestor to Rehman Dheri in Pakistan<[6] which is on the Tentative List for future World Heritage Sites.[7]

Kunal is 12 km southeast of Ratia, 30 km northwest of Bhuna, 30 km northeast of Fatehabad, 70 km north of Hisar, 190 km southwest of Chandigarh, 230 km northwest from Delhi,

Background

Site location

Site is located closer to other important IVC sites, such as 18 km northeast of Bhirrana, 45 km northeast of Banawali, 80 km northwest of Rakhigarhi, 85 km west of Balu, Haryana, and 150 km northeast of Jognakhera.

From Digoh-Kunal Road, on the spot where a yellow metal board with red colored Hindi letters announces "Harrappa kalin sthal" (Harappan era site) with a painted red arrow below it pointing in the direction of the site,[5] a 700 m long unpaved rural farm track to the west of Digoh-Kunal Road leads to this site. The site is immediate north (on right hand side) of the track. This track, perpendicular to both, connects Digoh-Kunal Road and Dholu-Mohammadpur Sotter Road.

History of excavations

After 1986 discovery of Kunbal as IVC site, it has been in 1992-93, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2017–present as of 2021. [5] Excavations has been undertaken by various entities including, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Indian Archaeological Society (IAS), National Museum of India (NMI, and the Haryana Archaeological Department (HAD).[3] Excavations here are usually done in non-rainy season.

Kunal culture

See also: Pottery of Archaeological culture, Archaeological analysis of pottery, Fabric analysis of pottery, and Archaeological culture

Kunal culture: Based on the pottery found here, it is classified as a separate archaeological culture / subculture.[8]

Cultural context

See also: Archaeological culture, Archaeological cultural dating, Phases in archaeology, Tools and technology of archaeology, and Pottery culture in Indian subcontinent

The earliest site of this culture is Kunal (4000 BCE)[6] in Haryana which is older than Rehman Dheri (3300 BCE).[9] The type site, the first excavated site of this type of culture is Kot Diji.[10] Rehman Dheri, which was considered oldest example of this culture, is now the second oldest example of this culture after Kunal was excavated and found to be older than Rehman Dher with similar older cultural artifacts then the Rehman Dheri.[6]

Kot Diji and Amri are close to each other in Sindh, they earlier developed indigenous culture which had common elements, later they came in contact with Harappan culture and fully developed into Harappan culture. Earliest examples of artifacts belonging to this culture were found at Rehman Dheri, however, later excavations found the oldest example of this culture at Kunal. These are cultural ancestor to site at Harappa. These sites have pre-Harappan indigenous cultural levels, distinct from the culture of Harappa, these are at Banawali (level I), Kot Diji (level 3A), Amri (level II). Rehman Dheri also has a pre Kot Diji phase (RHD1 3300-28 BCE) which are not part of IVC culture. Kot Diji has two later phases that continue into and along side Mature Harappan Phase (RHDII and RHDII 2500-2100 BCE). Fortified towns found here are dated as follows.[6][10][11][12][13]

Significance

Kunal, along with its contemporary Kunal and Bhirrana as well as Rakhigarhi,[3] is recognised as the oldest pre-Harappan settlement.[4][5] The carbon dating of Bhirrana site revealed that it dated back to 7030 BC (9,000 years old). The excavation in Kunal has show that it is contemporary to the Pre-Harappa phase of Bhirrana site - the oldest Indus civilisation site - 18 km from Kunal. The artifacts found at Kunal have provided significant information about the "lifestyle, socio-economic milieu and food habit of the people who lived along the Sarasvati River in the ancient times. Kunal, Bhirrana and Rakhigarhi were contemporary habitation sites". The hoard containing gold beads and copper rings at Kunal are evidence of developed village farming communities with trade links to far-flung countries for the import of metal and precious stones which are not found in this area.[3] Discovery of a button seal during 1998-99 excavations by ASI shows this site's culture is an older ancestry of the Rehman Dheri.[6]

Kunal culture is older ancestor of Pre-Harappan Rehman Dheri

Discovery of a button seal during 1998-99 excavations by ASI shows this site's culture is an older ancestry of the Pre-Harappan site of Rehman Dheri which was dated to 3300 BC.[6] This seal found at Kunal, datable to c. 4000 BCE, contained a picture of two deer on one side and a geometrical pattern on other side, which is similar to a specimen from Rehman-Dheri in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[6]

Earliest Pre-Harappan site

This site is recognised as an earliest Pre-Harappan site,[4] with three successive phases of Pre-Harappan indigenous culture on the Saraswati river who also traded with Kalibanga and Lothal. The discovery of regalis (royal items) excavated from this mound are the oldest of its kind in the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia and Iran.[2] Discoveries include woman's complete dress, tribal head attire, copper spearheads, steatite seals with geometrical patterns (indicating seal making in IVC first begun here), terracotta antiques, arrowheads, fish hooks, two crowns, bangles, silver beads, gold pendants and over 12,000 beads of semi precious stones including lapis lazuli.[2]

  • First phase: Dates back to 5,000 years ago is the oldest habitation, which has large dwelling pits of 1.10 m depth and 2 m diameter, whose omnivorous inhabitants also used Chalcedony blades, fish hooks, pottery wheels, domesticated plants and animals.[2] This site yielded Hakra ware at entry level. Houses were built on an artificially elevated place.[14]
  • Third phase: The final phase of excavation belongs to agriculturists who also reared domesticated animals and lived in houses containing living rooms, kitchens, toilets square and rectangular rooms built with bricks of standardised length-breadth-height ratio.[2]

Artifacts

Designs on pottery included pipal leaves (ficus religiosa) and humped bull[14] which were important motifs found on Mature Harappan seals. Bone tools, micro blades made of chalcedony, copper fish hooks and arrow heads were also found here.[14] Six steatite seals and one shell seal with geometric patterns were found.[14] These six seals were of square shape, made of grey stone and resembled typical Mature Harappan seals.[4] Also found at this site are copper rods, rings, bangle pieces, terracotta objects like bangles, balls, animal figurines, net-sinker, toy cart frames, disk and toys, stone balls, shell bangles etc.[6]

Hoards

Large hoards of jewellery were found at this location, including two silver tiaras, gold ornaments, beads of semi precious stones etc.[14] Number of hoards found at this site included silver bangle, copper tools etc.[4]

Copper smelting

Excavations on south-west side of mound revealed copper furnaces with smelting material and copper ingots and slags were also found at this site.[6]

Rice

Rice (probably wild) is found from Kunal as well as from Balu, both in Haryana.[4]

Conservation and threats

In-situ museum

Kunal Indus Valley Civilisation Museum, is an under construction in-situ museum announced by the Haryana government in December 2020. The HAD will finalise the design and state's Public Works Department will undertake the construction/[3]

Protected status and threats

Kunal site has been granted the protected status by the Government of Haryana which has also constructed a boundary wall around it for protection. This unguarded important site remains under the threat of encroachment and theft.re[5] Experts have demanded specific project for surveying the largest area with ground penetrating radars to determine the exact extant of the site and subsequent land acquisition by the government for its preservation.

Conservationists and villagers have demanded that the 1.2 km long unpaved track, connecting two paved roads, to the site must also be paved after changing its alignment (if needed) based on the ground penetrating radar surveys.

See also

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "In Haryana's Kunal village, a glimpse of life before Harappa".
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Haryana Gazateer, Revennue Dept of Haryana, Capter-V.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Museum at pre-Harappan site soon, The Tribune, 23 Dec 2020.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 McIntosh, Jane R. (2008). The Ancient Indus Valley : New Perspectives. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO. pp. 68, 80, 82, 105, 113. ISBN 9781576079072.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 In Haryana's Kunal village, a glimpse of life before Harappa , Hindustan Times, 19 MAY 2019.
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 Archaeological Survey of, India (2004). "Excavations at Kunal,Haryana" (PDF). Indian Archaeology 1998-99 a Review: 11–12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  7. ↑ Karez System Cultural Landscape, UNESCO, accessed 10 July 2021.
  8. ↑ The Harappan Civilisation: Its Sub-cultures, Daily Pioneer, 10 May 2018.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 UNESCO Karez System Cultural Landscape
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Charles Keith Maisels, Early Civilizations of the Old World: The Formative Histories of Egypt, The Levant, Mesopotamia, India and China. Routledge, 2003 ISBN 1134837305
  11. ↑ Higham, Charles (1 January 2009). Encyclopedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations. Infobase Publishing. pp. 9–. ISBN 978-1-4381-0996-1.
  12. ↑ Sigfried J. de Laet, Ahmad Hasan Dani, eds. History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C. UNESCO, 1996 ISBN 9231028111 p.674
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Tejas Garge (2010), Sothi-Siswal Ceramic Assemblage: A Reappraisal. Ancient Asia. 2, pp.15–40. doi:10.5334/aa.10203
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Singh, Upinder (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India : from the Stone Age to the 12th century. New Delhi: Pearson Education. pp. 109, 145–6. ISBN 9788131711200.

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