Why in news:

• In a significant archaeological discovery, a graveyard object dating back to the Mahabharata period has been unearthed from the historical Karna Kot mound located in Bhattu village of Bhuna, Fatehabad district in Haryana.

Key Points:

• This finding sheds light on the ancient cultural practices and pottery-making techniques of the Mahabharata era.

Key highlights of the discovery

• The graveyard object, made of a porcelain-like material with excellent luster and strength, was found after recent rains caused soil erosion at the Karna Kot mound.
• Molds of utensils and cups were prepared from this graveyard material during the Mahabharata period. The remains are a circle of the material used for making pottery in that era, which is called a "graveyard" in archaeological terms. The objects were discovered by Ajay Kumar, a researcher and safety engineer from the village and the discovery was promptly informed to the Archaeological Department

Significance of the Karna Kot Mound

• The Karna Kot mound has been a treasure trove of historical artifacts, with remains dating back to the Mahabharata period, Harappan civilization, and even the Anglo-Sikh war.
  • Terracotta bangles from the Harappan era and fragments of ivory bangles have been found at the site
  • Chess dice from the Harappan period have also been unearthed
  • Weapons used in historical wars, such as swords, cannonballs, and horse rider remains, continue to emerge from the mound

Ongoing archaeological investigations

The Karna Kot mound has been the subject of extensive archaeological research in recent years.

• Remains of an old temple dating back to the 9th-10th century CE and a brick well made of Lakhori bricks from the late Mughal period (17th century CE) have been discovered in the village
• Archaeological remains from the Kushana to Gupta periods have been recovered, suggesting that the mound was a fortified area during that time

The discovery of the Mahabharata period graveyard object at the Karna Kot mound is a significant addition to the growing body of evidence that sheds light on Haryana's rich cultural heritage and its connection to the Mahabharata era. Further excavations and research at the site are expected to uncover more insights into the ancient practices and lifestyles of the region.