- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Fri, 21 Feb 2025 02:51 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Archaeological Survey of India in a significant development has commenced an underwater exploration off the coast of Dwarka, Gujarat. With an aim to investigate and preserve the 4000-year-old submerged city, deeply linked with Hindu mythology, the ASI's Underwater Archaeology Wing (UAW) started its exploration on Tuesday
"The current underwater investigations mark a significant step in ASI's mission to safeguard India's rich underwater cultural heritage," news agency PTI quoted ASI’s statement.
A team of five members was appointed by the ASI to take over the underwater exploration. The mission is led by Additional Director-General (Archaeology) Professor Alok Tripathi along with team members including HK Nayak,Dr Aparajita Sharma, Poonam Vind, and Rajkumari Barbina.
"For the first time in ASI, this team comprises a significant number of women archaeologists and the most number of archaeologists actively participating in underwater investigations," the statement said.
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The ‘groundbreaking underwater exploration’ comes nearly two decades after the last significant excavations in the area, conducted between 2005 and 2007, by the UAW. In the mission, UAW unveiled artefacts such as sculptures and stone anchors with the current mission aiming to build upon these findings and utilise the advanced technologies to map and document the submerged heritage sites comprehensively.
"The coastal areas were examined during low tide where sculptures and stone anchors were discovered. Based on those explorations, underwater excavations were carried out," the statement read.
As per the ministry, the wing has conducted several explorations since 2001 at sites including, Bangaram Island (Lakshadweep), Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Dwarka (Gujarat), Loktak Lake (Manipur), and Elephanta Island (Maharashtra).
According to Hindu Mythology, Dwarka was established by Lord Krishna and was later submerged in the Arabian Sea following his departure from Earth. The submerge symbolises the onset of the Kali Yuga.
