Archaeologists excavating a newly identified Mature Harappan outpost in the Kutch district of Gujarat have uncovered a significant administrative archive belonging to the 'Overseer of Coastal Brine-Pans.' This discovery includes a collection of clay tablets and sealing impressions that detail the meticulous management of salt production, a vital commodity in the Indus Valley trade network. Unlike previous finds focused on trade depots, this site appears to have been the primary bureaucratic hub for regulating evaporation rates and labor shifts across regional salt-works.
The excavation team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) also identified specialized stone-lined evaporation pits and evidence of standardized ceramic storage jars designed to resist salt corrosion. The clay evaporation logs provide a rare glimpse into the mathematical precision the Harappans used to track yield against seasonal humidity and tidal cycles, suggesting a state-level control over the mineral's extraction and distribution.