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Disha Ahluwalia

Disha Ahluwalia

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When archaeology wasn’t ‘ladylike,’ women still shaped the field, one dig at a time

For centuries, archaeology was more like treasure hunting — a kind of cowboy science where men travelled far and wide. By the mid-19th century,...

latest 10

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Disha Ahluwalia

From Kashmir to China—Aurel Stein’s expeditions helped unlock secrets of ancient civilisations

Although the survey of Central Asia is among Stein’s most renowned and celebrated works, he had also successfully surveyed a wide landscape from...

24.02.2025 10

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Disha Ahluwalia

Go see India’s Stonehenge. Our country is dotted with megalithic structures

Megalithic structures in India are often overlooked. There is so much waiting to be explored between these stones and their shadows.

10.02.2025 20

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Disha Ahluwalia

Tamil Nadu’s Iron Age report is a turning point in Indian archaeology. It needs more research

Beyond the political theatrics, the report reflects the hard work of archaeologists. It deserves open-minded academic scrutiny.

25.01.2025 10

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Disha Ahluwalia

Homo sapiens and Neanderthals didn’t just share space and time. They interbred, exchanged ideas

While new studies have reinforced the idea of Neanderthal and Homo sapiens admixture in Europe, the picture in South Asia regarding Homo sapiens’...

13.01.2025 10

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Disha Ahluwalia

See how Gujarat’s Kanmer links to Dholavira, Harappa—India’s urbanisation journey lies here

The excavators at Kanmer, led by JS Kharakwal, challenged conventional views and explored the crucial relationship between small settlements and...

31.12.2024 4

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Disha Ahluwalia

Daimabad was home to skilled agriculturalists—even before Harappans’ cultural influence

The cultural remains of Daimabad, one of the most debated locations, not only reflect Harappan influence but also demonstrate continuity with local...

02.12.2024 2

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Disha Ahluwalia

Punjab’s archaeology is stuck in the 1950s. It’s time to excavate it from internal politics

Sanghol village excavation happened two years after the 1984 riots in an attempt to dilute the tension. Before that, archaeological work was taken...

18.11.2024 2

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Disha Ahluwalia

Tamil Nadu has the largest Iron-Age urn burial site. We must look beyond our Harappa frenzy

Nirmala Sitharaman laid the foundation of a new site museum in 2021. It felt like a departure from the government's Harappan-centric focus. But no...

04.11.2024 3

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Disha Ahluwalia

Ramayana’s origins remain unknown. Archaeology so far is too limited to prove epic legends

The archaeological understanding of Ramayana and Mahabharata sites—their inception and evolution—is lost and unknown.

21.10.2024 3

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Disha Ahluwalia

Arikamedu is an ancient Indo-Roman trading port. There’s a reason you’ve never heard of it

Arikamedu is one of the most significant archaeological sites in southern India. It’s a defining feature of east coast maritime trade, especially...

07.10.2024 2

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Disha Ahluwalia

Lothal was a complex urban centre with maritime connections. It had a dockyard too

Archaeologist SR Rao used compelling evidence to identify a baked-brick rectangular structure as a dockyard in Lothal, but many scholars have...

23.09.2024 5

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Disha Ahluwalia

Ceramics are the alphabet of archaeology. India’s pottery traditions must be protected

The number of potters in India is declining. We must recognise their contribution to society and protect them, if only from an archaeologist’s...

16.09.2024 4

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Disha Ahluwalia

Maharashtra’s geoglyphs discovery is citizen archaeology at its best. It put India on the map

The presence of geoglyphs in India shows that even in prehistory, the subcontinent was in sync with global trends.

26.08.2024 10

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Disha Ahluwalia

Harappan cities had remarkable drainage systems. Delhi can learn a thing or two

The people of Harappan city Dholavira understood the local hydrology and monsoon patterns, using this knowledge to make their city thrive despite...

12.08.2024 6

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Disha Ahluwalia

More UNESCO tags for Indian sites is a good thing. Next big focus is to protect and conserve

The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Ajanta Caves, and Ellora Caves were the first four Indian sites to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in...

29.07.2024 4

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Disha Ahluwalia