Harappa
Harappa is an archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization in Punjab, Pakistan.
Overview
Harappa, located on the Ravi River in Punjab province, was one of the two major urban centers of the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE). It was the first Indus site to be excavated (1920s) and gave its name to the entire Harappan civilization.
Historical Context
The site was discovered in the 1820s and extensively excavated by Daya Ram Sahni beginning in 1921. Harappa flourished during the Mature Harappan period (c. 2600–1900 BCE) as a planned city with advanced urban infrastructure, a standardized system of weights and measures, and extensive trade networks reaching Mesopotamia.
Features/Significance
The city featured a massive citadel mound, a lower town with grid-pattern streets, elaborate drainage systems, the Granary (Building 5), and working platforms for craft production. Thousands of steatite seals bearing the undeciphered Indus script were found here. The cemeteries (H, R-37) provided crucial data on Harappan funerary practices.
Modern Status
The site is protected by Pakistan’s Department of Archaeology and Museums. Looting and erosion have damaged parts of the mounds. A site museum displays key finds, and ongoing excavations continue to reveal new aspects of the civilization.
Verification Notes
- Excavated by Daya Ram Sahni (1921–1927) and subsequent teams.
- Key references: Marshall’s Mohenjo-daro and the Indus Civilization (1931); Kenoyer’s Ancient Cities of the Indus Valley Civilization (1998).
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).