The Archaeological Survey of India's site at Sanauli, Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh are thought to be linked to the time of Mahabharata. Among the findings were three coffins, skeletal remains, chariots, swords and some other things. The experts are closely studying the relics and they are currently kept at the Red Fort in Delhi. The findings are traced back to the Pre-Iron or Bronze Age in 2000-1800 BC.

The archaeologists haven't linked it to any race or civilization but Sanauli, where these findings were discovered is very close to Hastinapur, the capital of Kauravas. Thus the connection is being drawn they belong to the 2000 BC. The studies are being conducted in the direction of figuring who was buried in Sanauli and also how did they die.

This discovery is important as they give a perspective into the past. The Director of the Institute of Archaeology Sanjay Manjul led this exploration. This is not the first time a chariot has been unearthed for the first time in India, but a similar one has been excavated from Greece and Mesopotamia. But swords like these have been found for the first time. Burial pits were found at the site. Funeral items like combs and mirrors, gold beads were also found in the burial pits, all neatly arranged. These burial pits were very similar to those in Harappan-sites.

Arvin Manjul, Superintending Archeologist with ASI explained to a news report, "It was for the first time anywhere that we used in-situ CT scan, X-ray and infra-red photography to analyse the burial pits in Sanauli. Now in Red Fort, we are sending out the collected bones and teeth for DNA tests. That will tell us if they belonged to the Indian, Mongoloid or Aryan race." The age and era of these people will be derived from the cut marks on the bones. Along with these, the soil samples are also analysed for material that could be in them. The animal bones recovered at the site will also be carefully examined. It sure gives an interesting angle into studying the Mahabharata era.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2018 10:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).