
<H3>Dwarka Explorations</H3>

<P><IMG SRC="a3.gif" HEIGHT=308 WIDTH=500 ALIGN=LEFT> Dwarka on the west
coast of India, is a well known ancient port, now believed to have been
submerged. The excavations carried out during 1979 in the Dwarkadhish Temple
Complex revealed three temple remains. In all, eight settlements can be
distinguished at Dwarka. The first settlement made in the 15th century
B.C. was submerged or washed away and so also the second one made in the
10th century B.C. After a long gap the third settlement was made in the
1st century B.C./A.D. as suggested by the Red Polished Ware and copper
coins known as Karshapanas. It is during this phase that Temple I, was
built. The lime-plastered surface of its stone masonry still retaining
a few lines of red ochre painting suggests that the plinth was open to
view above the then working level. After the first temple was destroyed
the second temple came to be built on the ruins of the first. When the
second temple was also destroyed, the third temple was built in the 9th
century. It was perhaps in the 12th century a storm-wave blew away the
roof leaving only the walls and plinth. The fourth temple came into existence
soon after. The present temple of Dwarkadhish is the fifth in the series.
Temples I to V represent respectively settlements III to VII and the modern
town is the eighth settlement at Dwarka. It is this sequence finding of
which led to present explorations at Dwarka.</P>

<P> A marine archaeologist has to gather as much information as possible
from literary sources and oral tradition before selecting a site for excavation.
He has to visualize the plan and extent of the submerged city and salient
features, if any.</P>

<P> During 1983-1992 underwater archaeological explorations have been carried
out almost every year in Dwarka waters. The successive underwater investigations
off Dwarka in about 4 to 12 m water depth have revealed the presence of
a number of submerged<IMG SRC="a2.gif" HEIGHT=355 WIDTH=512></P>

<P><IMG SRC="a5.gif" HEIGHT=328 WIDTH=444 ALIGN=LEFT>stone building blocks
such as remains of wall, pillar and <IMG SRC="a6.gif" HEIGHT=318 WIDTH=515 ALIGN=LEFT>bastion
and also stone anchors of various types like three-holed, prismatic and
<IMG SRC="a1.gif" HEIGHT=309 WIDTH=465>triangular were noticed in various
places. SDDE and SCUBA systems were used for the underwater exploration
along with 'Aquazepp' the underwater scooter. The survey boats were chartered
and were equipped with underwater camera, underwater TV system and airlift
equipment for exploration and excavation.</P>

<P> At Dwarka approximately 9,80,000 sq. m area was explored between the
water depth of 3 to 12 m off<IMG SRC="a3.gif" HEIGHT=308 WIDTH=500 ALIGN=LEFT>
Samudranarayana Temple. Diving operations were undertaken in various locations
covering 8 zones of detailed investigations. The important findings were
documented mainly with still photography, underwater video filming and
underwater drawings. The position of the objects were fixed with the help
of sextants. The Geophysical survey equipment also used in Dwarka waters
for survey purposes.</P>

<P> The onshore explorations nearby<IMG SRC="a4.gif" HEIGHT=353 WIDTH=529>
Bet Dwarka revealed the presence of Late Indus seal depicting 3 headed
animal, earthen vessel inscribed in the characters of Indus-Brahmi transition
phase of about 1500 B.C. and the large quantity of pottery similar to Lustrous
Red Ware bowl and the Red Ware dishes, dish-on-stand, perforated jar and
incurved bowls which are datable to 1600-1500 B.C. in Dwarka, Rangpur and
Prabhas.</P>

<P> Among antiquities which are crucial to dating and determining the cultural
sequence of submerged cities of Dwarka and Bet Dwarka are the Late Indus
type seal, chert blades, an inscribed votive jar, 3-holed stone anchors,
a stone-mould, an Olpin with loop-handle and a sprinkler-neck in pottery
are important. The chronological sequence proposed on the basis of the
antiquities can be corroborated by distinct ceramic wares.</P>
