Wheeler's Mohenjo-daro 1950
A hitherto unknown box of 63 images in Sir Mortimer Wheeler's personal collection from excavations he led at Mohenjo-daro in 1950. With new captions by Jonathan Mark Kenoyer. Restored with diagrams, maps, the original caption sheets found with the images and ancillary material from Wheeler's published works.
Table of Contents
ACC Citadel Gateway Southeast
Aerial View
DK G
Museum Campus
REM Granary
Stupa Area
Areas not known
Numbered List found with photographs
Additional Images from Wheeler's The Indus Civilization (1963).
Click on the slide below for slideshow mode; click on the title for the image on a white background with longer captions.
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1. Mohenjo-daro Citadel Gateway Southeast Corner Not well-identified, this image seems to have been made on the south-east corner of what Wheeler called the Citadel Tower. |
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2. Mohenjo-daro Citadel Gateway Southeast [25] ACC - Citadel Gateway Southeast Overview of the exacavations in progress at the southeast corner of the citadel mound. This area revealed a series of rooms and a small gateway that Wheeler… |
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3. Wheeler Photo Directions, Mohenjo-daro 1950 Annotated by Jonathan Mark Kenoyer |
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4. Pottery Cache (Group B) in a Post-towers Context (Context D) of the Citadel Fortifications [24] ACC - Citadel Gateway Southeast Upper levels of fill with lots of broken pottery in a room made of fired brick walls. Wheeler identified the pottery as "Group B" and dated the room to the period… |
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5. Mohenjo-daro Citadel Gateway Southeast [117] (26Q?) ACC - Citadel Gateway Southeast Overview of excavated remains of the so-called city wall and gateway at the southeast edge of the citadel mound at Mohenjodaro. This structure was interpreted as a… |
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6. Mohenjo-daro Citadel Gateway Excavations [33] ACC - Citadel Gateway Southeast Excavations of the gateway area viewed from the southeast, looking northwest. The brick walls and rooms are visible just below the surface of the mound. No. 33 |
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7. Mohenjo-daro Citadel Gateway [110] ACC - Citadel Gateway Southeast Room associated with the massive fired brick walls at the southeastern corner of the Citadel Mound. Wheeler identified this structure as a fortification wall and… |
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8. Mohenjo-daro Citadel Gateway Excavations [112] ACC - Citadel Gateway Southeast Excavations of the gateway area viewed from the southeast, looking northwest. The brick walls and rooms have been fully exposed. See slide 26Q for a view from the… |
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9. Group of towers at the south-eastern corner of the Citadel, Mohenjo-daro [117] ACC - Citadel Gateway Southeast Overview of excavated remains of the so-called city wall and gateway at the southeast edge of the citadel mound at Mohenjo-daro. This structure was interpreted as a… |
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10. Fired Brick Platform, Mohenjo-daro [16] Area not known This photo shows a small fired brick platform made with a layer of bricks on edge covered by two courses of bricks laid flat. In the background is a mudbrick platform. The section… |
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11. Aerial View of Mohenjo-daro [107A] Aerial View from South Early Aerial view of the Citadel Mound at Mohenjo-daro (looking south), showing the excavations in SD area prior to the work conducted by Wheeler in 1950. A path and stairs… |
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12. Wheeler's Map of Mohenjo-daro, 1968 |
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13. Wall Construction, Mohenjo-daro [100] Area not known View of a large fired brick wall along the edge of the mound shows the construction of a later wall along the same alignment, and the infilling of what would have been a small open… |
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14. Bricks Visible, Mohenjo-daro [39] Area not known Closeup view of brick alignment visible just under the surface of the mound. The area of excavation is not known. No. 39 (36? 1027) |
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15. First Street, Lower Levels Mohenjo-daro [57] DK-G Lower levels of Street 1 in DK- G area of Mohenjo-daro. The buildings on the left were excavated under the supervision of K. N. Dikshit and then later by E. J. H. Mackay in the 1920's-30's. To… |
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16. Camel Skeleton Mohenjo-daro [29] Area not known Overview of a camel skeleton (Camelus sp.) that was buried in a pit associated with buildings made from complete and broken Harappan. Meadow (1984:134) suggests that the structures… |
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17. Camel Skeleton Mohenjo-daro [34] Area not known Overview of a camel skeleton (Camelus sp.) that was buried in a pit associated with buildings made from complete and broken Harappan. Meadow (1984:134) suggests that the structures… |
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18. Mohenjo-daro Museum [77] Museum Campus Traditional Sindhi oxcarts were used to transport crates of pottery and artifacts to Dokri Train station where they were loaded onto a train for transport to Karachi or Lahore. No… |
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19. Western Edge, Mohenjo-daro Granary [60 / 48?] REM Granary Looking north along the western edge of the REM Granary area during the early phase of excavations. The slope is covered with eroded bricks and pottery. Lighter areas are probably… |
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20. Plan of the Granary, Mohenjo-daro |
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21. Mohenjo-daro Granary Platform [88D] REM Granary Looking to the northwest along the edge of the slope where small rooms and a massive platform made of fired brick was exposed. This platform was interpreted as part of a loading dock… |
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22. Mohenjo-daro Granary Excavations [91] REM Granary Overview of the REM Granary excavations, viewed from the northwest. The fired brick mass of the western slope is visible at the right. No. 91 Also "1101" penciled on back |
![Granary Excavations, Mohenjo-daro [6]](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/slides/k-163_0.jpg.webp?itok=60Lf2KsE "Granary Excavations, Mohenjo-daro [6]")
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23. Granary Excavations, Mohenjo-daro [6] REM Granary Looking north along the western edge of the Granary excavations. A large storage vessel crushed by the weight of the overlying sediments is visible at the edge of a small wall. The fired… |
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24. Mohenjo-daro Granary "Loading Dock" [177] REM Granary Wheeler had workmen lifting bags of grain with ropes to illustrate his interpretation of the loading dock at the north edge of the so-called "granary". The square voids in the wall face… |
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25. Mohenjo-daro, "Granary" [177B] REM Granary Wheeler had workmen lifting bags of grain with ropes to illustrate his interpretation of the loading dock at the north edge of the so-called "granary". The square voids in the wall face… |
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26. Mohenjo-daro Granary and Great Bath Drain [154] REM Granary The edge of the "granary" structure was damaged by the ancient construction of the drain for the Great Bath that is seen at the left edge of the photo. This feature indicates that the… |
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27. Mohenjo-daro Granary Wheeler Excavations [163 A] REM Granary Workmen are seen at different levels of the so called granary structure to provide scale for this massive building. The upper worker is sitting in a narrow walkway between blocks of… |
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28. Western Edge of Citadel, Mohenjo-daro [122 A] REM Granary Western edge of the Citadel mound to the south of the granary with multiple rooms of houses located along east-west street. The stupa is seen in the background. No. 122A |
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29. Wheeler's Section Granary Mohenjo-daro 1950 |
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30. Northwest Corner, Granary Excavations, Mohenjo-daro [138] REM Granary Overlooking the northwest corner of the REM Granary excavations. A stairway indicates the presence of a second story. Square voids in the edges of the walls are where wooden posts would… |
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31. Northwest Corner, Granary Excavations, Mohenjo-daro [134] REM Granary The northwestern corner of the REM Granary excavations showing large walls built at different times and along different alignments. No. 134 |
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32. Mohenjo-daro REM Granary Excavations [1175] REM Granary The western edge of the REM Granary excavations reveal a mass of fired brick that appears to be a single building phase, but is in fact multiple constructions. No. 1175 "1175 161?"… |
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33. Stairway, Granary Excavations, Mohenjo-daro [139] REM Granary Closeup view of stairway in the northwestern part of the REM Granary excavations (see photo 138) From Wheeler's Civilizations of the Indus Valley and Beyond "The granary at Mohenjo-daro… |
![Mohenjo-daro REM Granary Excavations [1176]](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/slides/i-1176.jpg.webp?itok=P4BqdVSl "Mohenjo-daro REM Granary Excavations [1176]")
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34. Mohenjo-daro REM Granary Excavations [1176]* REM Granary View looking south along the western edge of the REM Granary excavations. Multiple rooms were exposed erodiing from this part of the mound. They would have been aligned along a large… |
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35. Mohenjo-daro Granary Walls and Voids [55] Possibly ACC-Citadel Gateway. Vertical walls and voids where there would have been streets are visible in what may be the ACC Citadel Gateway excavation area. The exact location is not clear. No… |
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36. Massive Brick Structures, Mohenjo-daro [49] REM Granary Initial clearing of massive brick structures along the western edge of the REM Granary excavations. No. 49 matching to 164? |
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37. Western edge of REM Granary excavations, Mohenjo-daro [46 A] ACC - Citadel Gateway Southeast Southeast corner of ACC Gateway excavation showing the corner of the later "city wall" and underneath are earlier wall fragments including what looks like small… |
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38. Granary Edge and Great Bath Drain, Mohenjo-daro [153] REM Granary The edge of the "granary" structure was damaged by the ancient construction of the drain for the Great Bath that is seen at the left edge of the photo. This feature indicates that the… |
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39. Northwest Corner, Granary Excavations, Mohenjo-daro [13B] (138?) REM Granary Overlooking the northwest corner of the REM Granary excavations. A stairway indicates the presence of a second story. Square voids in the edges of the walls are where wooden posts would… |
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40. Mohenjo-daro Granary Room [95] REM Granary Overview of a small room and passage way with sockets for holding vertical wooden beams. The beams were wedged in with smaller brick fragments to holt them tightly in the sockets. No… |
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41. Deep Sounding, Mohenjo-daro [41] REM I Deep sounding at the southwestern edge of the so-called "Granary". The excavator is standing in water that has accumulated due to the high water-table. Th brick structure at the bottom of this… |
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42. Stupa and Indus Period Structures, Mohenjo-daro [70] SD area - Southeast Stupa and Indus period structures (looking north) from walkway between SD and L Areas. The structural remains on the right belong to the Indus period and are built on a sloping… |
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43. SD Area Southeast, Mohenjo-daro [113] SD area - Southeast Excavation of area to the east of a modern pathway through the site. Possibly the area between SD and L areas on the Citadel mound. Brick on edge features are usually associated… |
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44. Mohenjo-daro 1950 Excavation Team with Sir Mortimer Wheeler [93B] Stupa Area Group photo with Sir Mortimer Wheeler, along with other team members and the large staff of workers. Wheeler is third from left in front row. No.93B "1020 93B" penciled in back |
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45. View from Stupa Mound, Mohenjo-daro [69] Stupa View east from stupa courtyard on citadel mound looking towards VS area of Lower Town and Indus River in the background. No. 69 |
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46. Mohenjo-daro Stupa and Citadel Mound [47] DKG Area Looking towards the stupa and citadel mound from a large complex of buildings in the DKG area. No. 47 |
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47. Looking towards Stupa Mound, Mohenjo-daro [67] DKG Area Looking towards the stupa and citadel mound from a large complex of buildings in the DKG area. No. 67 |
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48. SD Area and Stupa Mound, Mohenjo-daro [32] From north of stupa. Looking south at the SD area and stupa mound from the plain level to the north of the citadel mound. No. 32 |
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49. Mohenjo-daro Collapsed Brick Wall [99] Area not known This excavated area shows a collapsed brick wall consisting of around 15 courses of bricks that has slumped into an open area. The thickness of each brick is approximately 6.5 to 7 cm… |
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50. Mohenjo-daro Brickwork [109] Area not known This section of brickwork shows an area where debris and melted mudbrick slowly accumulated at the base of the wall on the right. Eventually a revetment and capping of fired brick was… |
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51. Narrow Mohenjo-daro Street [141] Area not known Narrow street or alley way that runs underneath later walls. Although the area is not certain, it is probably associated with the REM granary excavation. The lowest level shows three… |
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52. Mohenjo-daro Ringstones and Smaller Stone Objects [119] Area not known This excavation area is extremely important because it shows the discovery of broken ringstones that were used at the base or capital of large wooden columns, as well as three smaller… |
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53. Perforated Stone Objects, Mohenjo-daro [160A] Area not known Perforated stone objects. The precise function of these stone objects is not known, but they may have been used to hold wooden beams that were held in place with three small dowels… |
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54. Stone Objects, Mohenjo-daro [160B] Area not known Perforated stone objects. The precise function of these stone objects is not known, but they may have been used to hold wooden beams that were held in place with three small dowels… |
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55. Stone and Terracotta Beads, Mohenjo-daro [1212] Area Not known A collection of stone and terracotta beads from the excavations of Wheeler 1950. The top row (from left to right) has two bleached carnelian beads, followed by banded agate and… |
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56. Painted Vessel Fragment, Mohenjo-daro [101] Area not known This painted vessel fragment has a unique polychromatic painting and appears to be the base of a short pedestalled vessel. No. 101 also 1113 [actually 11113 may be a mistake]… |
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57. Pottery, Mohenjo-daro [168] Area not known Painted Pottery, red slip with black painted design. 1 [top left], 2 [top right], 3 [middle left], 4 [large piece], in back of objects No. 168 |
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58. Painted Pottery, Mohenjo-daro [169] Area not known Painted Pottery, red slip with black painted design. 1 [top left] 2 [top right] 3 [bottom left] 4 [bottom right] on back No. 169 |
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59. Pottery with Painted Design, Mohenjo-daro [170] Area not known Painted Pottery, red slip with black painted design. 1 [top left] 2 3 4 5 6 left to right. No. 170 |
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60. Painted Red-Slip Pottery, Mohenjo-daro [172] Area not known Painted Pottery, red slip with black painted design. 1 2 3 [bottom right] on back going down No. 172 also 1187 penciled in back |
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61. Painted Pottery, Mohenjo-daro [167] Area not known Painted Pottery, red slip with black painted design. 1 [top left] 2 3 4 5 6 7 [bottom right] on back No. 167 |
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62. Pottery Sherds, Mohenjo-daro [145] Area not known Pottery sherds illustrating different types of surface decoration. One sherd of a distinctive Indus bowl has a molded Indus script on the exterior of the base. Two dish on stand… |
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63. Mohenjo-daro Bricks with Human and Animal Footprints [94] Area not known Brick making was important for Indus cities and the production of bricks may have taken place in areas outside the city as well as near to habitation areas. These bricks with animal… |
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64. Fallen Fired Brick on Mound, Mohenjo-daro [45] Area not known This photo shows the excavation of an area with around 17 courses of fallen fired brick eroding off the edge of the mound. No. 45 |
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65. Fired Brick on Mound, Mohenjo-daro [38] Area not known This photo shows the excavation of an area with around 17 courses of fallen fired brick eroding off the edge of the mound. No. 38 |
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66. Brick Platform, Mohenjo-daro [37] Area not known This photo shows a small fired brick platform made with a layer of bricks on edge covered by two courses of bricks laid flat. In the background is a mud brick platform. The section… |
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67. Bathing Platform, Mohenjo-daro [164] (1179?) Area not known A bathing platform associated with a commode and sump pot. This photo shows a small room with a fired brick floor. The bathing area is in the background and is lower than the floor… |
![Initial Citadel Gateway Excavations, Mohenjo-daro [35]](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/slides/mohenjodaro-last.jpg.webp?itok=0J9fEcSB "Initial Citadel Gateway Excavations, Mohenjo-daro [35]")
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68. Initial Citadel Gateway Excavations, Mohenjo-daro [35] ACC - Citadel Gateway Southeast Initial excavations of the Gateway area showing the walls of rooms associated with the wall and gateway. No. 35 |
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69. Wheeler's List 1 Plates [75-87] The box of 60 or so Mohenjo-daro photographs in Wheeler's possession included two lists of images, Photographs of the Antiquities of Mohenjo-daro (1950). Unfortunately, the photograph numbers and… |
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70. Wheeler's List 1 Plates [88-103] |
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71. Wheeler's List 1 Plates [104-105] |
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72. Wheeler's List 2 Plates [133-152] This is the first page in a second list that continues the numbering of the first list, but is entitled List of Photographed Antiquities. |
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73. Wheeler's List 2 Plates [160B-170] |
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74. Wheeler's List 2 Plates [171-174] Could be 184 at the end |
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75. Mohenjo-daro Wall of Early Tower at South-east Corner of Citadel Plate VII Mohenjo-daro: wall of early tower at south-east corner of citadel, showing beam-sockets (excavated 1950) (p.40) |
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76. Mohenjodaro Stairs in Granary Mohenjo:daro: brick staircase forming part of rebuilt super structure of Great Granary (excavated 1950). |
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77. Group of Towers at South-east Corner of Citadel |
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78. Mohenjo-daro: Citadel from the South east, with Buddhist stupa Mohenjo-daro: citadel from the south east, with Buddhist stupa (p. 38). A close modern photograph of the Stupa Mound, Mohenjo-daro. |
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79. Mohenjo-daro Upper Part of Podium of Great Granary "Mohenjo-daro Upper Part of Podium of Great Granary as seen from the loading platform showing late walls (on earthen supports built when the ground-level had risen to the top of the podium (excavated… |
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80. Mohenjo-daro Parapet Walk Mohenjo-daro parapet walk between two of the towers at the south-eastern corner of the citadel (p. 49). |