Rakhigarhi: one of the largest cities of the civilization of the 7 Rivers on the Sarasvatî

Rakhigarhi, located in the Indian state of Haryana, is one of the largest archaeological sites of the Seven Rivers Civilization. Spread over 300 hectares, this city is a key testimony to the importance of the Sarasvati Valley in this civilization. Unlike other major cities on the Indus, like Harappa or Mohenjo-Daro, Rakhigarhi was positioned further east, on the banks of the Sarasvati, a river sacred to this ancient culture.

Excavations at Rakhigarhi have revealed a highly advanced urban planning, with well-built houses, wide streets, and a sophisticated drainage system. This shows that the inhabitants of this city already mastered construction techniques that were sophisticated for the time. Archaeologists have also discovered remains of ceramic objects, stone tools, seals, and jewelry, proving that the city was an active center of crafts and trade.

Rakhigarhi may have played a key role in trade, connecting other major cities in the Indus Valley through trade routes that probably passed through the Sarasvati. The proximity of this river allowed for the irrigation of agricultural land, thus promoting agriculture and ensuring the prosperity of the city.

A fascinating aspect of Rakhigarhi is the discovery of human skeletons, which could offer valuable clues about the genetics of the Indus peoples. DNA studies have given us insight into the origins of this population and the links with other neighboring civilizations. The genetic markers of the steppes are absent.

Finally, Rakhigarhi is an important site because it shows the vitality of the Seven Rivers civilization on the Sarasvati, a river that played a central role in their daily lives, both as a source of water, as a means of transport and as a sacred river since of all the rivers, it was the only one to be a goddess.