Vadodara, March 10: A nine-year search ended successfully for MSu archaeologists this winter when their two-month excavation in Rajkot’s Bagasra opened gates to a new city. With an entrance to the fortification of Gola Dhora mound excavated, archaeologists have found one more proof of a thesis that is increasingly gaining ground on the Indus Valley Civilisation that the civilisation serviced by a parallel rural civilisation that catered to the lifestyle needs of the Harappan urban elite.

Among other things found here that lend credence to this thesis is a shell workshop, which experts say has no parallel in any other IVC city. ‘‘We had been working here since 1995. The fortification was and other structures were there but the entrance was missing. We were moving around it but never reaching there. “This time it clicked. The city as we visualized it on excavation is complete now. The fortification acted as a link between the smaller rural centres and large Harappan towns, by providing an industrial and trade linkage ,’’ said Dept head Professor K K Bhan.

A leather bag found from shell workshop has unfinished bangles, beads and pendants. ‘‘The town seems to be a small settlement associated with craft activities. It seems people were exploiting available resources from neighbouring region, turning out finished products and sending them across to elite Harappan city homes,’’ says Professor V H Sonavane.