Recently a tragic incident occurred near the Harappan site of Lothal, where a researcher from IIT Delhi lost her life after the trench she was working in collapsed. 

About Lothal

• Etymology: The name “Lothal” translates to the “mound of the dead”.
• Discovery: Lothal was discovered by S.R. Rao, an Indian archaeologist, in 1954
• Lothal was nominated in April 2014 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Geographic Significance: It is one of the southernmost sites of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC).
  • Lothal is notable as the only port-town of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Trade Center: Lothal was a thriving trade hub in ancient times, dealing in beads, gems, and ornaments, with trade links extending to West Asia and Africa.
• Tidal Dockyard: Lothal’s most celebrated excavation is its tidal dockyard, which is the oldest known artificial dock in the world.
  • It connected the city to an ancient course of the Sabarmati River, aiding maritime trade.
• Architecture: Lothal was divided into two parts:
  • The Citadel or Upper Town, which housed administrative and elite residential structures.
  • The Lower Town, where common people lived.
• Seals: Lothal has the third-largest number of seals among all IVC sites.
  • These seals depict various animals, including short-horned bulls, mountain goats, tigers, and composite creatures like the elephant-bull.
• Pottery: The most commonly found pottery in Lothal is redware, which was primarily used for daily activities.
• Terracotta Art: Lothal unearthed gamesmen resembling modern chessboards.
  • Animal figures with movable heads and wheels, likely used as toys, were also discovered.

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About the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

• Establishment: The ASI was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham, who is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology” and served as its first Director-General.
• Ministry: The ASI functions under the Union Ministry of Culture.
• Responsibilities: The ASI is tasked with protecting and maintaining monuments and archaeological sites of national importance under provisions of:
  • The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904.
  • The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act).