Harappan Ruins of Dholavira Inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List

After the Kakatiya Rudreshwar Temple (Ramappa Temple) of Telangana, the Harappan city of Dholavira in Gujarat wins the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag at the 44th session of the organisation&rsquos World Heritage Committee.

The site has been on UNESCO's tentative list since 2014 and the nomination dossier was filed in January 2020.

Located in Kutch district, Dholavira is about 250km by road from the district headquarters of Bhuj (which is also the nearest airport).

According to the organisation, the ancient city of Dholavira &lsquois one of the most remarkable and well-preserved urban settlements in South Asia dating from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE (Before Common Era).&rsquo

Key characteristics of the site include remains of the water management system, multi-layered defensive mechanisms, extensive use of stone in construction, and special burial structures. Artefacts made of copper, shell, stone jewellery of semi-precious stones terracotta, gold, and ivory have been found at the site.

The media cited Archaeological Survey of India reports as saying that the excavations at the site have revealed seven cultural stages detailing the rise and fall of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

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With the inclusion of Dholavira, India now has 40 world heritage properties in all, which includes 32 cultural, 7 natural and one mixed property.