Mohenjo-daro

Sindh, Pakistan

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Mohenjo-daro, meaning “Mound of the Dead” in Sindhi, is one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the world—and a crown jewel of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. Located in Larkana District, Sindh, Pakistan, this city was built around 2500 BCE and flourished for centuries as one of the earliest and most advanced urban centers of its time.

Its layout was astonishingly modern: a grid-patterned city with wide streets, standardized fired-brick buildings, an advanced drainage system, and over 700 wells—more than any other ancient civilization of the era.

The city was divided into two main sections: the Citadel, which housed public buildings like the iconic Great Bath, and the Lower City, where residential and commercial life thrived. Among its most famous artifacts are the bronze “Dancing Girl” and the bearded “Priest-King” sculpture, both showcasing the artistic sophistication of the Harappan people.

Mohenjo-daro was mysteriously abandoned around 1900 BCE, possibly due to climate change, shifting river patterns, or socio-political upheaval.