Ancient seals found at Hatab excavation site

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Ancient seals found at Hatab excavation site

JAHNAVI CONTRACTOR

 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SATURDAY, MARCH 08, 2003 01:03:13 AM ]

 

VADODARA: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Vadodara circle,

has unearthed 160 ancient seals, with the Brahmi script inscribed on

them, from the Hatab excavation site, located some 20 km south of

Bhavnagar. The seals are said to be 2000 years old and were probably

used to stamp goods that were to be exported.

 

"For the past one year, we have worked at the site and have dug up

several artefacts. All of them suggest that Hatab might well be the

ancient trading centre, referred to as `Ashtakapra' in the ancient

Greek work `Periplus' and which also finds a mention in historical

records of ancient geographer and eminent astronomer Ptolemy," says

ASI superintending archaeologist and director of excavations,

Shubhra Pramanik.

 

"The city has been recorded in history as a flourishing port in the

2nd, 5th and 6th Century AD. The seals come from a pocket of the mud

fortified ancient town, which is surrounded by a moat. The moat has

an inlet that leads to the Gulf of Cambay thus suggesting sea

trade," says Pramanik.

 

During ancient times, it is said that this part of Gujarat had

extensive trade links with Greece and other parts of the world.

Proving this fact are finds of the ASI like the Roman amphora

(double-handled wine jug peculiar to Rome), copper coins and

terracotta artefacts. Even in Kautilya's Arthashatra, it is

mentioned about the practice of collecting taxes from ships sailing

in the sea and rivers.

 

"The job of the `Antapala' (officer stationed at the border coast)

was to collect taxes and also control the quality of goods that were

to be exported. The seals are a rare find and they must have been

used to mark the goods that were exported," adds Pramanik. The seals

are well etched and are round and oblong in shape, almost similar to

rubber stamps that are used today.

 

Pramanik says that other significant findings at the site include

two bronze artefacts, one of a humped bull and another one of a

human bust having Greek affinities. "There is also a terracotta face

of a woman. From the head gear it appears to be the daughter of

Celucas and the grandmother of Ashoka," says Pramanik. According to

her, the ruins in Hatab not only reveal Shaivite artefacts of the

Maitreka period but also indicate the influence of Buddhism. "The

site also has grain shells and a step-well, which indicates presence

of a shell factory here," she adds.

 

The excavated Roman amphora, copper and silver coins, terracotta

items and Indo-Greek artefacts, all seem to support the claim that

Hatab might well be `Ashtakapra', the trade centre in `Siristhrin'

(Saurashtra), located opposite to `Barigaza' (Bharuch) opposite to

the mouth of `Namades' (Narmada).