Exploring the Northern Khetri Copper Belt: Results of the 2022-23 Archaeological Survey in Jhunjhunun District, Rajasthan, India

Esha Prasad1*, Prabodh Shirvalkar2, Shweta Sinha Deshpande1, Shashank Babu2, and Tariq Tamboli3

Northeast Rajasthan in India is extensively documented in relation to the Ganeshwar-Jodhpura Chalcolithic Culture. Explorations and excavations have revealed a high concentration of archaeological sites in the northeastern and southeastern parts of Sikar district, the southeastern part of Jhunjhunun district, and the northeastern part of Jaipur district. These investigations largely focused on areas close to the Khetri Copper Belt and seasonal river systems. In 2022-23, a systematic archaeological survey of Jhunjhunun district was undertaken to document sites in previously unexplored regions, particularly the southwest, northeast, and northwest parts of the district. This paper adopts a landscape and environmental approach to examine the relationship between archaeological settlements, geographical settings, and human decision-making in and around the Khetri belt. Given the region’s arid conditions, limited access to water, cultivable land, and the presence of mineral resources such as copper and iron, understanding the environmental context of the settlement becomes crucial. To investigate these patterns, an Archaeological Site Census was undertaken in Jhunjhunun district, and the spatial distribution of sites was analysed using GIS. Variables such as elevation, slope, proximity to water sources, access to natural resources, visibility, and defensibility are examined to understand the environment and settlement choices. The results highlight the diversity of landscapes preferred by past communities and suggest that ‘landscape affordances’ played a significant role in shaping patterns of habitation. The paper presents the outcomes of the recent exploration and offers new evidence for understanding the interaction between environment, resources, and settlement distribution in the region.