Sanghol

Among the remains at Sanghol are several fire altars dated to the Kushan period (c. 100-300 CE), which would have been used to perform yajna fire sacrifices. When excavated, the altars were full of ash and loose soil, with carbonised plant material identifiable as including burnt grains and pulses, seeds, and fruits, as well as wood charcoal. The grains and pulses included rice (Oryza sativa), barley (Hordeum vulgare), wheat (Triticum aestivum), mung (Vigna radiata), urad (Vigna mungo), lentils (Lens culinaris), and sesame (Sesamum indicum). These are all included in the Yajurveda's list of twelve sacred grains to be used for sacrifices. Two grains of horsegram (Dolichos biflorus) and four grains of grasspea (Lathyrus sativus) were also identified among the burnt remains; based on their very small quantity, and their absence from Vedic texts discussing suitable yajna materials, the horsegram and grasspea were likely not intended to be included in the sacrifice and only accidentally ended up mixed in with the other grains and pulses that were meant to be sacrificed.^{[2]: 150–1, 162–4}

Edible fruits and nuts included wild jujube (Ziziphus nummularia), cultivated jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), dates, almonds, walnuts, grapes (or more likely, raisins), chilgoza (Pinus gerardiana), pistachio, and gular-fig (Ficus glomerata). Chilgoza was probably then, as now, imported from Afghanistan or the Himalayas.^{[2]: 162, 166}

Medicinal fruits and seeds included emblic myrabolan (Emblica officinalis), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), tulasi (Ocimum sanctum), chebulic myrabolan (Terminalia chebula), khanda or phok (Ephedra sp.), and black pepper (Piper nigrum). Of these, Ephedra is particularly important because it may represent the ancient soma, which held great religious and cultural importance and was an important component of yajna sacrifices. A few seeds of an unspecified wild sedge (Cyperus sp.) also survived, but their condition was not good enough to identify a specific species.^{[2]: 162, 168–9}

Wood charcoals included pipal (Ficus religiosa), gular (Ficus glomerata), palash or dhak (Butea monosperma), deodar (Cedrus deodara), tamal (Cinnamomum tamala), sandalwood (Santalum album), and kaith (Feronia limonia). Apart from kaith, all are mentioned in Puranic texts as recommended for use in yajna sacrifices. Deodar, tamal, and sandalwood are not native to the region, and would probably have been imported — deodar and tamal from the Himalayan regions, and sandalwood from southern India. Sandalwood was historically fairly expensive, so its use at Sanghol was likely in limited amounts.^{[2]: 162, 170–1}

Sanghol is famed for the Sanghol Museum. It belongs to the civilisation of Harappan which is retained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).It has various antiques that were discovered during the excavations at Sanghol. The various sculptures of stone are the eye catching attractions of the museum which are displayed in the Upper gallery. Maps, charts, photographs, graphs and drawings are arranged chronically. It displays art forms of Kushana period (extending between 2nd and 3rd century).^[3] A large of number of relics dating from the late Harappan civilization (1720 – 1300 BC) to 6th century AD is found here.^[4] More than 15000 artefacts were collected from this site and majority of them are displayed in this museum.

• 
  Sanghol Ancient Stupa site info
• 
  Sanghol Buddha in the style of Mathura
• 
  Stupa site
• 
  Stupa Site, part on the side
• 
  Ancient Site
• 
  Village Chowk
• 
  Part of Excavation
• 
  Museum info board
• 
  Museum building
• 
  Another excavation in village
• 
  Stupa site another angle
• 
  Info board on road
• 
  Buddhist ancient site