Written by: Ayesha Amir
Posted on: April 16, 2025 | 
| 中文
Terracotta figurines
If one ever wishes to spend a day envisioning what the past looked like, visiting the major urban centers of the Indus Valley civilizations of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa, transport you back in time. It is like a leisurely stroll through the streets of the past, that makes one wonder whether people then had similarities to our lives and societal structures or not. Although fascinating to the nines, Harappa site unfortunately, has only been excavated 6%, unlike its Larkana District counterpart Mohenjo Daro. This gives an added mystery and fascination to the site of Harappa, because it lies as a dormant gold mine for archaeologists and historians of a buried past.
Information board about Harappan Architecture
For a little historical context, it should be noted that Harappa is one of the major urban centers of the Indus Valley Civilization, which dates back to the Bronze Age in around 3300 to 1300 BCE. It is located in the present-day Punjab, in the vicinity of Sahiwal city. The site was first shown interest by Charles Masson in 1826, with further visits by Alexander Burns and Alexander Cunningham, who recognized its historical significance. Systematic excavations began in the 1920s under the Archaeological Survey of India, revealing a well-planned city with advanced drainage, trade networks, and craftsmanship within the ruins on Harappa site. After the Partition of India, research continued under the new Pakistani government sectors for development and international archaeologists, which significantly expanded our current knowledge of the Harappan society. The Harappa Museum, established in 1926 and relocated in 1967, exhibits artefacts found during earlier excavations, such as terracotta figurines, hunting tools and everyday decorative objects. These artefacts help in preserving the legacy of this ancient civilization.
The Museum Building
After reaching the Harappa vicinity, things at first seem a little underwhelming due to the museum’s façade. Visitors are not yet aware that they are in for a surprise. But at first, the museum itself is a humble building containing two galleries. Large, glassed sections showcase the different archaeological artefacts. Although the artefact descriptions tell you most things you need to know, the kind tour and museum guides reveal even more fascinating information regarding the process of excavation. Visitors get to see an array of various artefacts, including seals, microbeads, jewelry, terracotta bird cages (with actual bird statues inside!), terracotta tops and even cosmetic applicators. It should be noted, however, that many of the stone amulets and tools are given that name on an assumptive basis, because while some artefacts reveal themselves right away to be something familiar, others are named through a very present-day understanding of the tools we have. Regardless, archaeologists utilize their historical understanding of that civilization and people of the time to decipher whether their clay pots and tools had any symbolic meaning beyond just a day-to-day utility.
Terracotta Bird Cage
Pictures of some of the seals depicting humanoid animal figures show that the people of Harappa must have had a belief system involving deities. However, very interestingly, none of the artefacts reveal to us whether the civilization had a hierarchical government or societal structure. We do know, however, that their living was a communal one, and public shared spaces held significance for engaging in any rituals. Going into the next gallery, what draws the most attention from the visitors are the male and female skeletons showcased in glass boxes on each end of the room. It is a surprise for most to see because these very skeletons are depicted in our history books and seeing them in person is a surreal experience. The skeletons were found buried with pots and jewelry, revealing that much like the Egyptians, the Harappans must have believed in ritualistic burials and an afterlife.
The female skeleton
The surprise that the visitors are in for is the actual trail through the ruins of the Harappa civilization. It takes almost thirty minutes to walk the entire trail, which is a paved pathway winding its course through the ruins on either side. As visitors make their way through the site, they can see the remnants of ancient walls, brick foundations of the houses, and excavated structures that once were a thriving part of what now lay in ruins. Information boards are placed along the route to provide insights and further information into the city’s layout, including its very advanced drainage system, residential areas and possible granaries. There is an eerie silence within the ruins, which adds a mystical aspect to the vast openness of the entire landscape, evoking a sense of wonder about the people who lived here thousands of years ago, only accessible to us in imagination and speculation. The trail ultimately leads to a vantage point where visitors can take in a panoramic view of the site, reflecting on the grandeur and mystery of this ancient civilization.
The Granary
Although the site is a wonder to behold, it is disheartening for history enthusiasts to know that most of the site still remains shrouded in mystery, waiting to be excavated. If authorities allow systematic excavation to begin, a groundbreaking revelation about the Harappa civilization can be made. Nonetheless, despite the limited information and artefacts available, the site is a must visit for anyone who would like to take a walk through the past.
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