The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Vadodara circle, has unearthed 160 ancient seals, with the Brahmi script inscribed on them, from the Hatab excavation site, located some 20 km south of Bhavnagar. The seals are said to be 2000 years old and were probably used to stamp goods that were to be exported.

"For the past one year, we have worked at the site and have dug up several artefacts. All of them suggest that Hatab might well be the ancient trading centre, referred to as ‘Ashtakapra’ in the ancient Greek work ‘Periplus’ and which also finds a mention in historical records of ancient geographer and eminent astronomer Ptolemy,” says ASI superintending archaeologist and director of excavations, Shubhra Pramanik.

“The city has been recorded in history as a flourishing port in the 2nd, 5th and 6th Century AD. The seals come from a pocket of the mud fortified ancient town, which is surrounded by a moat. The moat has an inlet that leads to the Gulf of Cambay thus suggesting sea trade,” says Pramanik.

During ancient times, it is said that this part of Gujarat had extensive trade links with Greece and other parts of the world. Proving this fact are finds of the ASI like the Roman amphora (double-handled wine jug peculiar to Rome), copper coins and terracotta artefacts. Even in Kautilya’s Arthashatra, it is mentioned about the practice of collecting taxes from ships sailing in the sea and rivers.

“The job of the ‘Antapala’ (officer stationed at the border coast) was to collect taxes and also control the quality of goods that were to be exported. The seals are a rare find and they must have been used to mark the goods that were exported,” adds Pramanik. The seals are well etched and are round and oblong in shape, almost similar to rubber stamps that are used today.

Pramanik says that other significant findings at the site include two bronze artefacts, one of a humped bull and another one of a human bust having Greek affinities. “There is also a terracotta face of a woman. From the head gear it appears to be the daughter of Celucas and the grandmother of Ashoka,” says Pramanik. According to her, the ruins in Hatab not only reveal Shaivite artefacts of the Maitreka period but also indicate the influence of Buddhism. “The site also has grain shells and a step-well, which indicates presence of a shell factory here,” she adds.

The excavated Roman amphora, copper and silver coins, terracotta items and Indo-Greek artefacts, all seem to support the claim that Hatab might well be ‘Ashtakapra’, the trade centre in ‘Siristhrin’ (Saurashtra), located opposite to ‘Barigaza’ (Bharuch) opposite to the mouth of ‘Namades’ (Narmada). 

Tag: Ancient seals found at Hatab excavation site