Mohenjo-daro, meaning "Mound of the Dead," is one of the most significant archaeological sites of the ancient world. Located in present-day Sindh, Pakistan, this city was a major urban center of the Indus Valley Civilization, flourishing between 2500 and 1700 BCE236. Alongside Harappa, Mohenjo-daro stands as a testament to the advanced social, architectural, and technological achievements of South Asia’s earliest civilization.
Urban Planning and Architecture
Mohenjo-daro is renowned for its sophisticated urban planning. The city was laid out in a grid pattern, with streets intersecting at right angles and neighborhoods organized systematically. Homes were built with standardized baked bricks and featured private wells and bathrooms, while a complex drainage and sewerage system ran beneath the streets—an extraordinary feat for its time6. Notable public structures include the Great Bath, likely used for ritual purification, and the Great Granary, which points to organized storage and distribution of food6.
Society and Daily Life
At its peak, Mohenjo-daro is estimated to have housed between 30,000 and 60,000 residents, making it one of the largest cities of its era6. The city’s artifacts reveal a highly evolved society skilled in arts, crafts, and trade. Excavations have uncovered pottery, jewelry, tools, toys, and intricate seals, many inscribed with the still-undeciphered Indus script23. These findings point to a vibrant urban culture with established administrative systems and far-reaching trade connections.
Rediscovery and Excavation
The ruins of Mohenjo-daro were rediscovered in 1922 by R.D. Banerji of the Archaeological Survey of India, sparking decades of excavation and research246. Since then, only a small portion of the site has been unearthed, as conservation concerns have limited further digging6. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, highlighting its global significance1.
Legacy and Preservation
Mohenjo-daro’s legacy lies in its demonstration of early urbanism, social organization, and engineering. Despite the passage of millennia, its ruins continue to inform our understanding of ancient civilizations. Today, the site faces threats from erosion and environmental factors, making ongoing conservation efforts crucial for preserving this invaluable heritage for future generations