• Dr ASHWANI ASTHANA

Abstract: The present illustrated report is an outcome of the Archaeological / Environmental exploration of a preliminary nature carried out for a period about 8 days (spanning from 6/6/2008 – 13/6/2008) in the area around 7 km from River Alaknanda covering the stretch length of 28 km. from Chhinka village to 3 Km towards Joshimath from Halang Dam Site in District Chamoli tehsil Joshimath lying under the Vishnugarh–Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Dam project study area. It was an urgent need to ascertain the archaeological potentiality of the area for the further implementation planned investigation if required before the area gets affected if any, wiping out the evidence of past cultural heritage from the history of the area. The first phase of the exploration was undertaken to bring to light the archaeological potentiality in the area of Vishnugarh-Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Dam project. All assigned 62 villages were visited. Due to constrain of the time given, a hurried “touch and go” type of survey was adopted for the investigation to acquire more quantitative evidences during the short span rather than obtaining a comprehensive qualitative result. The evidence which have been brought to light during the course of investigation is enough to have an overall picture of the archaeological potential of the area. To make this investigation successful during this short time span, efforts has been made to investigate the probable archaeological zones across the area as a sampling strategy to ascertain the potentiality of the area, rather than simply covering the assigned villages just for the sake of completing the work. This investigation reveals that the area is rich in archaeological remains covering a long history of mankind from Megalithic period (1000 BC to 600 BC approx.) up to the present. So far the megalithic cultural evidence is concerned, it opens avenues for further planned exploration and excavation in the Alaknanda valley at Vishnugarh–Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Dam project area. Therefore, it is strongly suggested for a long–term planned salvage operation to understand the Environmental Archaeology and also Megalithic evidences. So for the latter cultural evidences of historical times are concerned, there is again a lot of scope to work in the area, which will certainly help enormously in reconstructing the Archaeological and environmental history and heritage of the area.

Archaeological and Environmental Heritage, Alaknanda Valley, Pipalkoti Region

"Archaeological and Environmental Heritage of Alaknanda Valley at Vishnugarh–Pipalkoti region ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no.914-959, June 2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1907732.pdf

"Archaeological and Environmental Heritage of Alaknanda Valley at Vishnugarh–Pipalkoti region ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no. pp914-959, June 2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1907732.pdf