Mohenjo-daro

About this place

Mohenjo-daro is an archaeological site in Larkana District in Sindh, built about 2500 BC and one of the largest settlements of the Indus Valley Civilisation. It is among the world's earliest major cities, a contemporary of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Its name means mound of the dead men, and in 1980 it became the first site in South Asia listed by UNESCO. It is estimated to have held at least 40,000 people and prospered for several centuries, before being abandoned about 1700 BC along with other large Indus cities. It was rediscovered in the 1920s. The site is still threatened by erosion and improper restoration, so keep off the walls and fenced areas. From above you see a grid of straight streets and low brick walls, and on the mound the remains of a Buddhist stupa from a much later time. The city's most famous feature is the Great Bath, with its rectangular brick tank. The museum at the entrance has pottery, seals and small objects that help explain daily life, though the famous Dancing Girl statue is not here. It is about 27 km in a straight line from Larkana. Bring a hat and water, as the heat is fierce, and visit in winter if you can. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to this area, so check official guidance before planning.