The gulf of Khambhatt formerly known as the gulf of Cambay is a trumpet shaped inlet of the Arabian sea in the state of Gujarat on the west coast of India. It has a high tidal range and velocity thanks to it's shape and orientation with the south-west monsoon winds. Navigation through the gulf is no picnic because of it's shoals and sandbanks.
In May 2001, it was announced that ruins of an ancient civilization has been found near the banks of the Gulf of Khambhatt. The site was found by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) while conducting a routine pollution check using sonar. The site was found to have regularly spaced geometric structures believed to be dwelling places, a granary, a citadel, a bath and a drainage system. These structures were believed to predate the Indus Valley Civilization, the oldest known civilization near the area.
A follow-up investigation was conducted by a NIOT later that year. This involved dredging out several artifacts ranging from fossilized bones to remnants of pottery. The findings were sent to several institutions and one piece of wood was dated as back as 9500 BC.
Controversies
Carbon-dated Piece of Wood:
Finding a piece of wood dated around 7500 BC could not be translated as the discovery of a civilization was the claim of many archaeologists.
Artifacts:
The artifacts found from the site are argued to be just stones of natural origin.
Geography:
The gulf was formed by a major rift that resulted in the down-sliding of the Khambhatt region. The area is earthquake prone and not secure enough to date reliably.
Collection Methods:
Complaints have arisen because NIOT recovered artefacts by dredging the sea floor of the site. This method might allow errant artefacts to be collected along with those that actually correlate with the site. Analysing stratification is virtually impossible with this method as well.
A follow-up investigation was conducted by a NIOT later that year. This involved dredging out several artifacts ranging from fossilized bones to remnants of pottery. The findings were sent to several institutions and one piece of wood was dated as back as 9500 BC.
Controversies
Carbon-dated Piece of Wood:
Finding a piece of wood dated around 7500 BC could not be translated as the discovery of a civilization was the claim of many archaeologists.
Artifacts:
The artifacts found from the site are argued to be just stones of natural origin.
Geography:
The gulf was formed by a major rift that resulted in the down-sliding of the Khambhatt region. The area is earthquake prone and not secure enough to date reliably.
Collection Methods:
Complaints have arisen because NIOT recovered artefacts by dredging the sea floor of the site. This method might allow errant artefacts to be collected along with those that actually correlate with the site. Analysing stratification is virtually impossible with this method as well.
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