Has sea level fluctuations modulated human settlements in Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay)?

Abstract

In the same sequence, the recent discovery of Neolithic settlements in Gulf of Khambhat is really exciting and a milestone in the field of marine archaeology. As described "the materials collected at the site include artifacts, possible construction elements with holes and studs, pot shreds, beads, fossil bones etc., which provide significant evidence of human activity in the area. A detailed examination of the area has revealed riverine conglomerate at water depth of 30-40 m between 20 and 40 km west of Hazira near Surat (Gujarat, India)". Based on the radiocarbon dates of a wooden piece recovered from the site an age of 7500 BC is assigned to the human activities on the bank of river that was present at that time. Because of its linkage to cultural heritage, this discovery has been hotly debated for its archaeological significance. However, the role of sea level fluctuations as cause for extinction of human settlements (if any) in this area is yet to get proper attention.