Unique And Rare Terracotta Giraffe Figurines
Unearthed At Chhattisgarh's Tarighat11 October, 2014
Recently, unique and rare terracotta giraffe figurines have been unearthed at Chhattisgarh's Tarighat, an ancient site, which was discovered two years ago at Patan tehsil in Durg district, about 30 kilometres from state capital.
MessageToEagle.com - Prehistoric archaeological site Chhattisgarh and its intriguing artifacts were recently described in our article Mysterious India: Chhattisgarh Finds And Out-Of-This-World Legends.Archaeologists claim such giraffe figurines have never been found in India during excavation of any archaeological site.
Archaeologists claim such giraffe figurines have never been found in India during excavation of any archaeological site.Finding figurines of giraffe at the 2500-year-old site, which could have been once one of the richest international trading centres in country, indicates that ancient traders must have travelled to South Africa," reports The Times of India.
Recently excavated figurines of giraffe, an animal exclusively found in forests of South Africa also suggest Chhattisgarh's ancient people were big-time travellers and rich global traders with affluent lifestyle.
"Tarighat's excavation has, at many occasions, indicated clearly towards Chhattisgarh being a global trading market during 2nd and 3rd BC in the country. Giraffe figurines depict that people could be travel enthusiasts too during that period. It only complements their richness and hints at huge import-export trade," said excavation director and archaeologist in culture department of Chhattisgarh JR Bhagat.
"Latest findings show that people of Kushan dynasty must have travelled to South Africa and seeing an animal so large and unique, they made its figurines after returning. As per my knowledge, it's the first time figurines of Giraffe have been found at an excavation site," archaeologist said.Chances of giraffe's presence over 3,000 years ago in India are also not being ruled out.
Click on image to enlargeOne of the panels of Sun Temple Konark in Odisha has a depiction of giraffe being gifted by African/Arabic traders to the king of Odisha.
| "Stone carvings at Konark Sun temple in Odisha and old paintings at Bhimbedta rock shelters also illustrate figures of giraffe. They are about 10000 to 20000-year old," Bhagat said. Archaeologist Arun Kumar Sharma told TOI that paintings at rock shelters at Sarguja district also depict giraffe-like figures and state's climatic condition could have been favourable for this animal's survival. |
Many artifacts were found 20 ft below the surface. The tools have been unearthed at Tarighat site and they have been assigned to microlithic period and date back to 8000 BC (10,000 years old).With Indo-Scythian coins, Indo-Greek coins, gold and copper coins earlier unearthed from the place, archeologists say that Tarighat is the most precious archeological site for Chhattisgarh.
It could have been country's earliest urban centre on bank of Kharun river. Divided blocks and structures facing each other across the road appear like markets.
Dices made of ivory and terracotta, three fishing nets, sling balls and hub scotch prove that ancient people also possessed expensive means of amusement."
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