Lothal

Lothal is an ancient mount at saragwala village in Dholka. Taluka of Ahmedabad district. The literal meaning of the word lothal is “Place of the dead”.

The site was excavated by Dr. S. R. Rao from 1955-62 which unearthed many

structural remains of Harappan town (Circa-2500-1900 B.C.). The entire settlement was divided into a citadel or acropolis and lower town, which were protected against floods by a 13m thick mud brick wall, on the western side. The chief lived in the acropolis, where housed built on 3m high platforms and provided with all civic amenities including bath

paved with burnt bricks, underground drains and a wall for potable water. The lower town was sub-divided into two sectors. The main commercial centre in which craftsman lived

and other is residential sectors. The most outstanding as a dock and a ware house.

The dockyard is constructed of five bricks and is most scientifically designed to carry out the water flow, to with stand the force of the current and the water thrust. It is known for its unique water looking device and measured 214x36m.

The other important structure, the warehouses occupies south west corner of the citadel. It stands on 3.5m high platform and provided with wooden canopy to protect the

cargo. The Harappan were attracted to lothal not only due to its sheltered harbour with a

rich cotton and rich growing hinterland but also due to its bead making industry. Further on the western side of the settlement there was a river providing access from the

hinterland to craft of cambay. The prosperity of this small town depends on its overseas trade of semi-preccious stone beads, copper, ivory, shell and cotton goods with west

Asia.

Discovery of several objects like a seal of Persian craft origin, terracotta figurines of Gorilla and Mummy indicated a strong overseas contact of lothal.

The town was destroyed by frequent floods in about 1900 B,C. and completed

abandoned by Harappans in around 1700 B.C. .

Archeological Museum

From the point of the view of the number of antiquities, lothal is one of the richest Harappan sites excavated within the Indian borders. A wide spectrum of the Harappan

culture can be had from material things revealed during the excavations, which preserved and displayed in the Archeologist museum established in 1976.

The museum had three galleries. In the front gallery; a Canvas depicting on artists

conjectural idea of Harappan town of lothal is displayed. There are also introduced write ups and map to help visitor’s o understand the importance of lothal. The left side gallery has show cases with beads, terracotta ornaments, replicas of seals and scaling, shell, ivory, copper and bronze objects, tools and potteries. The rights side gallery has game

objects animals and human figure, weights, painted potteries, miniature potteries, bricks, burial and ritual objects besides a replica of a joint burial and sealed model of lothal etc.