Why did Cunningham fail to recognize Harappa's age?

He primarily used Chinese pilgrim accounts as his guide, which did not account for a civilization thousands of years older than Buddhism.

History of Indian Archaeology

UPSC Archival Analysis

Q: The first archaeologist who excavated Harappa, but could not recognize its significance, was:

Alexander Cunningham was the first to excavate Harappa but failed to recognize its ancient significance, attempting to place it in a much later historical period.

Exam Year

2006

Evidence Source

Link

ID: HIS_ANC_2006_90 Ref: Standard Educational Reference