Exploration of an ancient port: Elephanta Island (Bombay)

Abstract

The Elephanta, locally known as Gharapuri comprises of three villages namely Rajbandar, Morabandar and Shetbandar which served as separate ports in different period of history. Rajbandar port was active during Christian era as a large number of amphora sherds were recovered from the site. Morabandar was busy port during 4th-5th century AD as a large number of coins of this period have been found. While Shetbandar served as port till modern period. Onshore and inter tidal zone explorations brought to light a large number of pottery of historical period, copper coins of Krishnaraja a Kalchuri King (550-575 AD) and several brick structures of historical period. In the present paper a detail description have been made on the findings from the island