Since we paying Asia a visit, we might want to travel some 3000 miles westwards. From Borneo and the Java-Sea to Gujarat in West - the Runn of Kachchhch to be more precise. Only another 25 miles North-West of India's Carneol/Quartz-center Cambay (actually not the best of descriptions, I could-have, should-have come up with) lies the little village of Lothal, a site of great importance during the HARRAPA-Culture. The description as INDUS CULTURE, is an alternative name for one of the earliest cities known to architecture. It flourished during the Indian bronze-age, 5.000 years ago - roughly 3000 - 2000 BC.

Most of you will know at least one product of a civilisation that spread out through Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of India.

"Etched Agates" is the name of the product, widely used by Western collectors - wrong say those with a better understanding of the technique engaged in the process.

It was during my second visit - of three - that I made the following shots. One of them showing a site that has been involved in the process.

The "bead" - actually a cabochon - had been bought in Cambay the following day (in close vincinity of Lothal - back in 2006/7). Of course the writing is not Indus-related by any means, as is clearly visible, but is nevertheless a riddle, since no Muslim has been able to read the words to this day.

The whitish building is the little local museum!