Ringstone anchors from Gujarat, west coast of India

Abstract

The Gujarat coast, India has played a vital role in the maritime activities of India from the beginning of the Indus civilization in the Indian subcontinent and has witnessed hectic maritime activity since then. Offshore explorations in the waters of Dwarka and Somanath have yielded several ringstone anchors along with other stone anchors such as triangular and grapnel types. The raw material used for these ring stones comprises basalt, sandstone and limestone. Earlier, these anchors were identified as doorjambs (Rao, 1999). Similar types of ring stone have also been reported from off Oman and it is suggested by the local people of that region that they would have been used as anchors for fishing nets. However, the description given by local fishermen and the shape of the objects are contrary and they have been suggested as anchors for boats on the coral reefs.