SATELLITE imagery suggests that there should be a large reservoir -- most probably an artificial one -- buried southwest of Dholavira. One of the best cultivated fields in the locality is contiguous to this area. Surplus water from within the city walls must have been escaping into this field.

Interestingly, the area around the presumed reservoir is dotted with Harappan funeral structures, including circular elevations that appear to be sepulchral mounds entombing the mortal remains of privileged persons or families. In Indian tradition, funeral rites and the disposal of the dead are performed close to a river, lake or tank. This tank, now hidden, seemed ideally suited for special funeral structures.

R S BISHT is associated with the Indian Institute of Archaeology, New Delhi