Rakhigarhi Stadium confirms Harappan love for sports
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Excavators have found a mud brick stadium with proper steps, seating arena and a 14-degree incline for perfect viewing, pointing to an astute architectural know-how at Rakhigarhi, about 150 km from Delhi. This is the first confirmed stadium of Harappan time, endorsing the 'rangbhoomi' found at Dholavira, another Harappan site in Gujarat.
Speaking to ET, ADG (archaeology) SK Manjul, who is leading the excavation, said: «We have excavated a mud brick stadium — clear evidence of a complex society with interpersonal linkages. The steps show a seating area at an incline, pointing to an amphitheatre-like arena. There are fireplaces in between seats which point to the need for light. This means that the games or ceremonies lasted beyond daylight hours.»
Contrasting this with Dholavira 'rangbhoomi', Manjul said: «There was a hypothesis about Harappans enjoying sports. There was a part of stone structure at Dholavira. Now this has been confirmed.» An excavator told ET that such an elaborate public architecture also meant that there was a central authority that sanctioned construction, monitored and even maintained the stadium.
The excavators have also found a huge marketplace, a part of which may have housed an animal market. There are bones of animals with cut marks, indicating that they were butchered. These bones are being
