Excavation History

Essays on the archaeological exploration and excavation history of ancient Indus Valley sites including Harappa, Mohenjo-daro and Gola Dhoro.

The Archaeology of Southeastern Balochistan

An exciting look at the western side of the ancient Indus civilization, where new cultures and surprises await that indicate how well developed surrounding cultures to the major Indus areas were. Baluchistan is Pakistan's largest province (1). It is marked by a rugged, highly differentiated environment with many different habitats (2). The Makran Range in the south divi… >

ASI 1921 Report

"The first major series of publications [John] Marshall instituted in the very beginning of his career [as Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, ASI] was the Annual Reports, published first in 1902-3 under the title Archaeological Survey of India: Annual Report 1902-3 (Calcutta, 1904)" writes Dilip K. Chakrabarti in his book A Histor… >

Introduction to Discovery at Harappa

"The real heroes of this story of the discovery of the Indus civilization were such individuals–a discerning archaeologist like Sahni and a brilliant one like Banerji, who had within a few years of each other uncovered the relics entombed in Harappa and Mohenjo-daro respectively." >

First Explorers: Charles Masson, 1829

"A long march preceded our arrival at Haripah, through jangal of the closest description. East of the village was an abundance of luxuriant grass, where, along with many others, I went to allow my nag to graze. When I joined the camp I found it in front of the village and ruinous brick castle." >

The 2nd Season at Harappa led by Daya Ram Sahni 1923-24

Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni continued another season of excavations at Harappa in the winter of 1923-24. A summary report of the explorations was published in 1926 in the Annual Report of the Archaeological Survey of India 1923-24. John Marshall, who was the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, wrote the introduction to this section on the Harappa and Mohenjo… >

The 3rd Season at Harappa led by Daya Ram Sahni 1924-25

Above: Daya Ram Sahni on Mound AB at Harappa 1924-25 Season The 1924-25 excavations at Harappa, together with those that year at Mohenjodaro, were considered of “preliminary character but with most promising results” (Marshall 1927: 60). They followed the publication, on 20 September 1924, of Sir John’s announcement of the finds of ‘an unknown ‘prehistoric past in … >

Recent Indus Discoveries and Highlights from Excavations at Harappa 1998-2000

Ravi Phase and Kot Diji Phase Occupations On the northern part of Mound AB (Figure 1) excavations in 1996 were undertaken in both the Ravi (Hakra) Phase (Period 1: 3300-2800 BCE) and the Kot Diji Phase (Period 2: 2800-2600 BCE) occupation levels. In 1998 - 2000 a much larger horizontal exposure was made of both Ravi and Kot Diji levels. During the Ravi and Kot Diji Phases v… >

Recent Indus Discoveries and Highlights from Excavations at Harappa 1998-2000

Harappa Phase Occupation: Chronology and Fortification Wall Since 1986, excavations of the Harappa Phase occupations (2600-1900 BCE), have been conducted on all of the major mounds and in low lying areas between the mounds and along their peripheries (Figure 1). On the basis of these studies, it is possible to determine the overall size of the city at over 150 hectares and … >

Recent Indus Discoveries and Highlights from Excavations at Harappa 1998-2000

Harappa Phase Occupation: Granary or Great Hall One of the most famous buildings at Harappa is the so-called "Great Granary" (Trench II) that was first excavated under the supervision of Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni and Madho Sarup Vats between 1921 and 1929 (Vats 1940). Excavations during three seasons (1997 to 1999) were undertaken at three corners of the "granary" or Great… >