In 2018, a discovery at the archaeological site of Sinauli in Uttar Pradesh, India, revolutionized the understanding of ancient cultures in the region. The site, located in the fertile Ganges River valley in the Baghpat district, yielded royal burials, war chariots, and a variety of copper artifacts dating back approximately 4,000 years to around 2000 BCE. The findings are ᴀssociated with the Ochre-Colored Pottery (OCP) culture.

The Ochre Coloured Pottery culture (OCP); Woman Riding Two Bulls (bronze), from Kausambi, c.2000-1750 BCE, Metropolitan Museum of Art

The discovery at Sinauli marked the first evidence of war chariots in the Indian subcontinent, putting this ancient culture on par with contemporary civilizations such as Mesopotamia and Greece, where chariots were already in use. Archaeologists unearthed three full-sized chariots, elaborately adorned with copper geometric motifs. The spokes of the wheels, decorated with copper triangles, indicated that these vehicles were not only used for practical purposes but also symbolized status and power. The chariots’ design and craftsmanship highlight the advanced skills of the artisans of the OCP culture.

Sinauli, which has been under excavation since 2005, is part of a broader region significant in ancient Indian history. The Ochre-Colored Pottery culture flourished between 2000 and 1500 BCE in the Ganges-Yamuna doab, a region where these two rivers converge. This culture is contemporary with the late phase of the Indus Valley Civilization, making the discoveries even more important as they offer evidence of sophisticated societal structures, trade, and possibly even cultural exchanges between these neighboring civilizations.

One of the most remarkable finds was a royal burial featuring a wooden coffin decorated with copper anthropomorphic figures, all wearing double-horned helmets and adorned with sacred fig leaves (Ficus religiosa). This burial also contained two complete chariots, a copper helmet, decorative staffs, an ornamented whip, and beads made of gold and steaтιтe, indicating that the individual interred was likely a high-ranking military leader or a person of significant social status. The grave goods, which included pottery and ceremonial items suggest that the Sinaulians placed great emphasis on afterlife preparations.

Radiocarbon dating of organic remains, including wood from the coffins and chariots, confirmed the site’s age, placing it during a transition period between the Copper and Bronze Ages in the region. According to a study published in Radiocarbon: An International Journal of Cosmogenic Isotope Research, these findings solidify Sinauli’s role in ancient history, positioning the OCP culture as one of the key players in the early development of warfare technology on the subcontinent. The use of isotopic analysis has allowed researchers to more accurately date the burials to around 2000 BCE, further supporting the notion that this culture had developed advanced military strategies at a time when the Mesopotamians and Greeks were also engaged in similar activities.

The discovery of war chariots in Sinauli is particularly significant because it challenges previous ᴀssumptions about the technological capabilities of the ancient Indian subcontinent. Until now, no such evidence had been found that placed Indian cultures among those known for using chariots in warfare. This revelation not only suggests that the inhabitants of Sinauli were highly organized militarily but also that they may have engaged in conflicts with other cultures, perhaps as part of trade or territorial disputes.

Additionally, the excavation revealed a variety of burial types, including primary, secondary, and symbolic burials. Primary burials contained complete bodies in extended positions, while secondary burials included skeletal remains that had been exposed to the elements. Symbolic burials, which contained animal remains such as dogs and birds but no human remains, hint at the cultural significance of these animals in funerary practices.

The broader implications of the Sinauli discoveries are profound. The presence of chariots, sophisticated copper tools, and elaborate burial practices suggests that the Ochre-Colored Pottery culture was much more advanced than previously thought. It also raises questions about the connections between this culture and other contemporary civilizations, such as those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley.

More information: Sharma S, Pokharia AK, Gahlaud SKS, et al. Royal burials and chariots from Sinauli (Uttar Pradesh, India): Radiocarbon dating and isotopic analysis based inferences. Radiocarbon. Published online 2024:1-9. doi:10.1017/RDC.2024.89