🏺 Rakhigarhi – Unraveling the Secrets of the Indus Valley Civilization 📍 Location: Rakhigarhi, Hisar District, Haryana 📜 Era: Mature phase of the Indus Valley Civilization (2600–1900 BCE) 🌊 Situated on: The Ghaggar-Hakra River plain 🔍 Major Findings ✅ DNA Analysis: Inhabitants had a distinct origin, refuting theories of Steppe pastoral or ancient Iranian farmer ancestry. ✅ Advanced Town Planning: Mud and burnt brick homes, efficient drainage, aristocratic settlements. ✅ Granary Discovery: Large storage structures suggest organized food management. ✅ Lapidary Art: Beads of semi-precious stones indicate a flourishing trade culture. ✅ Rituals & Burials: Fire altars, animal sacrifices, and funerary rituals with pottery and artifacts. ✅ Harappan Seals: A seal with an alligator symbol and five Harappan letters found. ✅ Pottery & Tools: Dishes, vases, jars, goblets, and standardized weight systems. 📰 Latest Discovery – 4,600-Year-Old Woman from Rakhigarhi 🔬 DNA Study: A well-preserved skeleton of a woman has opened new debates on the genetic lineage of the Harappans. 🛕 Cultural Link: The presence of fire altars and sacrificial pits suggests strong ritualistic traditions. 🏛 Significance of Rakhigarhi 🔸 Largest Harappan Museum: Announced in Union Budget 2020, to preserve its rich legacy. #history