Indus Valley Civilization Excavations and Major Findings:

Key Cities of the Indus Valley Civilization:

1. Mohenjodaro
2. Harappa
3. Kalibangan
4. Lothal
5. Chanhudaro
6. Dholavira
7. Banawali
8. Surkotada

Significant Port Towns:

• Lothal
• Dholavira

Four Main Harappan Sites:

• Harappa
• Mohenjodaro
• Banawali
• Dholavira

Important Note:

• Till 1999, over 1,056 urban areas and settlements had been found.
• 96 sites have been excavated, mostly in the region of the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra Rivers and their tributaries.
• Among the settlements, the most important urban centers include Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Ganeriwala, Dholavira, and Rakhigarhi.

Major Sites

1. 1921 – Harappa:

   • Location: Sahiwal District, Punjab, on the banks of Ravi.
   • Excavated by: Daya Ram Sahni.
   • Major Findings:
     • Piece of pottery with Indus Script.
     • Cubical limestone weight.
     • Faience slag.
     • Sandstone statues of human anatomy.
     • Copper bullock cart.
     • Granaries.
     • Coffin burials (Unique to Harappa).
     • Terracotta figurines.

2. 1922 – Mohenjo-Daro:

   • Location: Larkana District of Sind, on the bank of Indus.
   • Excavated by: R. D Banerjee.
   • Major Findings:
     • Great bath.
     • Granary.
     • Unicorn seals (Numerous).
     • Bronze dancing girl statue.
     • Pashupati Seal (Man with deers, elephants, tiger, and rhinos).
     • Steatite statue of a bearded man.
     • Bronze buffalo.

3. 1929 – Sutkagendor:

   • Location: Baluchistan on Dast river.
   • Excavated by: Stein.
   • Major Findings:
     • Trade point between Harappa and Babylon.
     • Flint blades.
     • Stone vessels.
     • Stone arrowheads.
     • Shell beads.
     • Pottery.
     • Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC) associated copper-bronze disc.

4. 1931 – Chanhudaro:

   • Location: Mullan Sandha, Sind, on the Indus river.
   • Excavated by: N G Majumdar.
   • Major Findings:
     • Bangle factory.
     • Inkpot.
     • Bead maker’s shop.
     • The footprint of a dog chasing a cat.
     • Cart with a seated driver.
     • Note: Only city without a citadel.

5. 1935 – Amri:

   • Location: Close to Balochistan, on the bank of Indus river.
   • Excavated by: N G Majumdar.
   • Major Findings:
     • Antelope evidence.
     • Rhinoceros’ evidence.

6. 1953 – Kalibangan:

   • Location: Hanumangarh District, Rajasthan, on the bank of Ghaggar river.
   • Excavated by: Amlanand Ghose.
   • Major Findings:
     • Lower fortified town.
     • Wooden drainage.
     • Copper ox.
     • Evidence of earthquake.
     • Wooden plough.
     • Camel’s bone.
     • Fire altars.
     • Furrowed land.

7. 1953 – Lothal:

   • Location: Gujarat on Bhogva river near the Gulf of Cambay.
   • Excavated by: R. Rao.
   • Major Findings:
     • Port town.
     • Graveyard.
     • Ivory weight balance.
     • Copper dog.
     • First manmade port.
     • Dockyard.
     • Rice husk.
     • Fire altars.
     • Chess-playing.

8. 1964 – Surkotada:

   • Location: Gujarat.
   • Excavated by: J P Joshi.
   • Major Findings:
     • Bones of horses.
     • Beads.
     • Stone-covered beads.

9. 1974 – Banawali:

   • Location: Fatehabad district of Haryana.
   • Excavated by: R S Bisht.
   • Major Findings:
     • Beads.
     • Barley.
     • Oval-shaped settlement.
     • The only city with radial streets.
     • Toy plough.
     • The largest number of barley grains.

10. 1985 – Dholavira:

    • Location: Gujarat in Rann of Kutchchh.
    • Excavated by: R S Bisht.
    • Major Findings:
      • Exclusive water management.
      • Only site divided into three parts.
      • Giant water reservoir.
      • Unique water harnessing system.
      • Dams.
      • Embankments.
      • Stadium.
      • Rock-cut architecture.