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Celebrating 100 Years of Harappan Civilisation Discovery



  Oct 10, 2024

LOTHAL:100 YEARS OF HARAPPAN CIVILISATION DISCOVERY


LOTHAL:100 YEARS OF HARAPPAN CIVILISATION DISCOVERY

1. What Is the Significance of the 100th Anniversary of the Harappan Civilisation Discovery?
The 100th anniversary marks the day when John Marshall, then Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, announced the discovery of the Harappan Civilisation on 20 September 1924. This revelation highlighted ancient cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, showcasing the existence of a sophisticated urban culture in the Indian subcontinent during the Bronze Age.

2. How Has the Understanding of Harappan Sites Evolved Over the Past Century?
Despite numerous excavations, many aspects of the Harappan Civilisation remain unexplored. Hundreds of sites have been uncovered, and thousands mapped, but archaeologists believe they have only scratched the surface, revealing an advanced society with urban planning, sanitation, trade, and cultural complexity.

3. What Is the Controversy Surrounding the Dockyard at Lothal?
Lothal, a significant Harappan port town, became famous for its supposed dockyard identified by archaeologist S.R. Rao in the 1950s. This identification was debated for decades, as some scholars argued it was merely a tank. However, recent studies using modern technologies have confirmed that Lothal’s trapezoidal structure was indeed a dockyard, settling a long-standing debate.

4. What Makes Lothal a Unique Harappan Settlement?
Lothal is renowned for its sophisticated urban planning, including a grid layout of streets, defined residential and commercial zones, and advanced drainage systems. It was also a center for bead-making, metalworking, and agriculture, reflecting its role as an economic, social, and cultural hub in the Indus Valley Civilisation.

5. How Has Modern Technology Contributed to Understanding Lothal’s Dockyard?
Recent studies have used satellite data, field observations, and historical maps to identify ancient water routes and geomorphological features around Lothal. These findings connected Lothal’s dockyard with the Sabarmati River and other Harappan sites, providing strong evidence of maritime activities and trade networks.

6. What Role Did the Nal Corridor Play in Lothal’s Maritime Trade?
The Nal Corridor, identified through satellite imagery and field studies, was an inland water route connecting Lothal to other Harappan ports like Dholavira. This corridor facilitated safer and shorter maritime routes during monsoons, enhancing trade between various regions of Gujarat.

7. What Do the Findings from Lothal Tell Us About Harappan Society?
Lothal’s excavations reveal a complex society with social stratification, advanced craftsmanship, and trade in luxury goods. The presence of seals, figurines, and a possible writing system indicates sophisticated administrative practices. The city’s dockyard highlights its importance in regional and possibly international maritime trade.

8. Why Does the Harappan Civilisation Continue to Captivate Researchers?
Despite a century of research, many questions about the Harappan Civilisation remain unanswered. Its advanced urban planning, trade networks, and social structures continue to intrigue archaeologists, reflecting a civilisation that was far ahead of its time and connected with broader ancient world dynamics.


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