A research team in western Rajasthan has discovered a unique engineering feature at a Mature Harappan outpost. The site features a rain-catchment pavement spanning nearly 2,000 square feet, constructed from interlocking vitrified clay tiles and crushed quartz. This surface was designed to maximize runoff into a series of interconnected subterranean cisterns, demonstrating an advanced understanding of hydro-thermal engineering in arid environments.
The vitrification process made the tiles nearly impermeable, a critical innovation for water conservation in the desert. Excavators also found traces of mineral filters at the inlets of the cisterns, which would have purified the water as it entered the storage system. This finding adds a new dimension to our knowledge of Indus Valley urban planning and their resilience to shifting monsoon patterns.