Lakhian Jo Daro: Unveiling the Secrets of an Ancient Indus Valley City
Introduction
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| Ancient figurines and pottery from Lakhian Jo Daro |
Lakhian Jo Daro, also known as Lakhan Jo Daro or Lakhueen-jo-daro, is a significant archaeological site near Sukkur in Pakistan’s Sindh province. As one of the largest urban centers of the Indus Valley Civilization, it rivals Mohenjo Daro in size and historical importance. Discovered in 1985, the site has revealed artifacts and structures that offer insights into a sophisticated civilization that thrived thousands of years ago. This article explores the history, excavations, significance, and ongoing preservation efforts of Lakhian Jo Daro, a vital part of Pakistan’s cultural heritage.
Location and Discovery
Situated on the right bank of the Indus River, approximately 100 kilometers from Mohenjo Daro, Lakhian Jo Daro lies within an industrial zone on the outskirts of modern Sukkur, at coordinates 27°43.27 N, 68°50.51 E. The site was first uncovered in 1985 by Professor Qasid Mallah and his team from Khairpur University, sparking interest due to its proximity to the Rohri Hills and its strategic riverine location, suggesting it was a key hub for trade and industry.
Excavations and Findings
Since its discovery, Lakhian Jo Daro has been the focus of multiple excavation campaigns led by teams from Shah Abdul Latif University and the University of Sindh. These efforts, spanning from 1986 to 2017, have unearthed evidence of continuous settlement from the Neolithic to the Mature Indus period (circa 7000 BCE to 2000 BCE). Key excavations include:
- 1986–1995: Salvage excavations by the Department of Archaeology, Government of Pakistan, and Shah Abdul Latif University revealed early structures and artifacts.
- 1996–2000: Professor Muhammad Mukhtiar Kazi excavated Mound C and D-10, uncovering walls, bathing platforms, and drainage systems indicative of advanced urban planning.
- 2008–2017: Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Shar and Dr. Qasid Hussain Mallah led further digs, discovering faience workshops and steatite seals.
- 2009 Rescue Excavations: Revealed wells containing objects associated with unknown cults, such as figurines covered in pots, alongside workshops for faience and steatite cutting, producing bangles, beads, and seals.
Notable findings include:
 |
| Copper Anthropomorphic Figurine |
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
| Copper Figurine | A 4.4 cm tall figurine from the mid-3rd millennium BCE, cast via lost-wax process, possibly depicting a spear-thrower. |
| Scrap Copper Hoard | Micro-tubes and folded sheets, suggesting advanced metallurgy. |
| Indus Script Tablet | A tablet with inscriptions, offering clues to the undeciphered Indus script. |
| Pottery and Beads | Thousands of pottery items, lapis lazuli, carnelian, and agate beads, indicating a robust craft industry. |
These discoveries, detailed in a 2023 publication, highlight the site’s role as a center for pottery, metallurgy, and bead manufacturing, supported by extensive trade networks.
Significance and Comparison
Spanning over 300 hectares, Lakhian Jo Daro is larger than Mohenjo Daro (250 hectares), making it one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilization. Its multi-story buildings, sophisticated drainage systems, and craft workshops suggest a highly organized society. Compared to Mohenjo Daro, known for its urban planning, Lakhian Jo Daro stands out for its industrial prowess, particularly in metallurgy and bead production. Artifacts like the copper figurine and Indus script tablet provide critical insights into the civilization’s technology and communication systems.
Current Status and Threats
As of 2023, Lakhian Jo Daro faces significant threats from urban expansion and illegal occupation due to its location within Sukkur’s industrial zone. Efforts are ongoing to designate it as a protected antiquity and establish a site museum to preserve and display its artifacts, as noted in recent archaeological discussions. These initiatives aim to safeguard the site’s legacy for future generations.
Historical Context: Chronology and Discovery
Ancient Timeline: Evidence suggests occupation from the Early Harappan/Kot Diji phase (3300–2600 BCE) through the Mature Harappan period (2600–1900 BCE). Pottery styles and radiocarbon dating (c. 2000 BCE) align with contemporaneous Indus sites like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.
Modern Discovery: First identified in 1985 by faculty from Shah Abdul Latif University (Khairpur), not by Professor Qasid Mallah as sometimes reported. Initial small-scale digs (1985–1995) were followed by major campaigns in 2006, 2009/10, 2013, and 2017.
Controversial Claims: Some sources speculate a 9,000-year-old Neolithic origin (comparable to Mehrgarh), but this remains unverified. Scholarly consensus, based on stratified artifacts, places its zenith in the Mature Harappan period .
Excavations and Structural Insights
Key Campaigns and Findings:
1985–1995 (Salvage Archaeology):
Mapped central and western mounds, revealing residential quarters and craft workshops.
Identified unique packed-clay walls (not standard mud bricks), a feature shared only with elite sectors of Mohenjo-Daro.
2009–2017 (Industrial Revelations):
Western mound excavations exposed a steatite (soapstone) bead and seal factory with vitrified slag, kiln fragments, and thousands of bead blanks.
Discovered a faience mirror workshop, suggesting technological parallels with ancient Mediterranean cultures.
Uncovered copper smelting furnaces and a deep trench with Kot Diji-style pottery, indicating Early Harappan roots.
Conclusion
Lakhian Jo Daro is a testament to the ingenuity of the Indus Valley Civilization, offering a window into a vibrant urban center that thrived millennia ago. Its artifacts and structures underscore the advanced technologies and trade networks of the time. Protecting this site is crucial for preserving Pakistan’s cultural heritage and advancing our understanding of ancient civilizations. Visitors to Rohri.net can explore this and other historical treasures of Sindh, ensuring that the legacy of Lakhian Jo Daro endures.
References and Further Reading
For a deeper understanding of Lakhian Jo Daro and the Indus Valley Civilization, the following books are recommended:
- The Indus Civilization: A Contemporary Perspective by Gregory L. Possehl
- Ancient Cities of the Indus Valley Civilization by Jonathan Mark Kenoyer
- Mohenjo-Daro and the Indus Civilization by John Marshall
- Five Thousand Years of Pakistan: An Archaeological Outline by R.E.M. Wheeler
Additionally, academic articles in the Ancient Sindh Journal of Research provide detailed reports on the site’s excavations:
- Shaikh, N., Vessar, G.M., & Mallah, Q.H. (2006). The excavation of Indus Period site Lakhan Jo Daro. Ancient Sindh Journal of Research, 8, 7-194.
- Shah Abdul Latif University Department of Archaeology - Official page detailing the Department of Archaeology at Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur.
- Lakhian Jo Daro Excavation Yields Antiques - News article on 2010 excavations at Lakhian Jo Daro.
- Don't Forget Lakhan Jo Daro - Dawn article discussing the significance and threats to Lakhian Jo Daro.
- Lakhan-Jo-Daro Wikipedia - Wikipedia entry on Lakhan-Jo-Daro’s history and excavations.
- Lakheen-Jo-Daro Indus Civilization Settlement - Harappa.com article on Lakhian Jo Daro’s copper hoard and figurine.
- LAKHEN JO DARO Past and Present - ResearchGate publication detailing the history and findings of Lakhian Jo Daro.
- Sindh Tourism Development Corporation Lakhian Jo Daro - Information on Lakhian Jo Daro’s significance and excavation history.
- An Archaeological Site in Ruins - Dawn article on the neglect and challenges facing Lakhian Jo Daro.
- Lakhan-Jo-Daro ALL THINGS PAKISTAN - Blog post discussing the archaeological importance of Lakhian Jo Daro.
- Site Older Than Mohenjodaro Found - Article reporting on 2009 excavations suggesting Lakhian Jo Daro’s antiquity.
