India, Jan. 22 -- Situated in the historically fertile region of Saurashtra (Kathiwar), Somnath, also known as Prabhas Patan was associated with Veraval, one of the important ports among the several that dot the Gujarat coast. Like Prayagraj (also known as Allahabad), Somnath or Prabhas Patan is located at the confluence of three rivers - Hiran, Kapila and the mythical Saraswati.

Archaeological excavations carried out in 1955-57, and 1975-77, and in the early 1990s at nearby Datrana village take its human history to the pre-Harappan period (more than 2,800 years BC). The later periods are evidenced by Lustrous Red Ware, a Gujarat specialty, iron artifacts as well as Northern Black Polished Ware which also shows linkages with the Ganga va...