Monday, September 28, 2015

Lothal, The City of Dead

Lothal in Gujarat has a history that is more than 4000 years old. It is one of most important city during the ancient period of Indus valley civilization. This remote village is at a distance of around 85 kms from Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad in either direction. "Lothal" when translated into local language Gujarati means "The City of Dead".



It is here we see the one of the Worlds ancient dock. In the ancient times this city was a port city that traded in beads, gems and valuable ornaments reaching far of places.



The Archaeological Survey of India has started excavation at this site in 1955 and what we discover is city with excellent Town Planning. Harappan Civilization created planned town and port after earlier village was destroyed by flood around 2300 BCE.



The excavated area is 935 feet north-to-south and 748 feet east-to-west. Some of the interesting structures that have been excavated are:
Apart from this there is also a Archaeological Museum displaying artifacts excavated from this site.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

great to see that :)

Jeevan said...

Very interesting place and sounds ancient among the cities! Great capture on the excavated

Ramakrishnan said...

Visited here last year. Amazing remains of a thriving civilization 2500 years ago.

Forest Dream Weaver said...

Interesting to see how cities of the past have disappeared.....thanks for sharing!

Donna said...

4000 years old...I love ancient settlements...they had developed so much almost forgotten.

Fun60 said...

Hard to imagine that it was once a main port.

Huldra said...

Thank you for sharing :)

Photo Cache said...

Looks less greenery is planted.

Al said...

A city with a history that long is amazing, especially by the standards of my country.

Barb said...

Hi Rajesh, What an interesting excavation of an ancient town. It doesn't look busy with tourists. Your boys are growing!

rupam sarma said...

Amazing , Thanks sharing, Nice photos.

Lorrie said...

These old sites hold so many stories. The area looks very dry and dusty. Is it now abandoned?

Unknown said...

Stupendous!

Klara said...

great shots and story behind them.

NCSue said...

A rather dreary name for a completely fascinating place!
I hope you'll come link up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/09/shake-those-tail-feathers.html

Jackie and Joel Smith said...

Oh such an interesting post. Now I'd love to go there as well as so many other places you've introduced me to!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

So fascinating to think of a thriving civilization .... People living and working and going about their daily lives, so very long ago. It's great to see these places and the museums of artifacts. Makes it seem more real than just studying or reading about it.

Findlay Wilde said...

It looks like a really interesting place to visit.

photowannabe said...

Fascinating.
Interesting name, the first photo really gives credence to its name.

Roger Owen Green said...

great history.

ROG, ABCW

Trubes said...

Great photo's and such an interesting country to be !

Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.

EG CameraGirl said...

What fun to walk about the old ruins and contemplate what it might have been like 4000 years ago.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Thanks for sharing.Fascinating.

carol l mckenna said...

Fascinating history as always and wonderful photos ~ thanks.

Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol

Reader Wil said...

I am fond of ancient ruines, and I always want to know the history of them. India was far more civilized than we in Europe! You do a great job to tell us about the ancient temples and holy places every week.
Have a great week.
Wil, ABCW Team

Rohrerbot said...

India is magical.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Wow! I'd just come from reading a post in which a city was established in 1407. That is a baby compared to this village. Astounding.
The View from the Top of the Ladder

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

What history is here! It will be fascinating to see what the excavations will uncover in time.

Jeannie Marie said...

How exciting to see the past emerge from the dust.

Unknown said...

Although i would love to travel there... and makes lots of photographs ofcourse... i think its to hot for me ;-)

Have a nice ABC-week / day
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)

Bikram said...

very interesting .. but why is it called the city of dead...

lovely pics

Bikram's

Hildred said...

What a wonderful excavation to feed the imagination and put oneself back in time.

Powell River Books said...

Looks like an interesting place to exploring. - Margy

Stewart M said...

Birds will always bring life to a place.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Unknown said...

Interesting photos..Had recently read a post regarding this place.. in my 'visit to places' wishlist.

Purba chakraborty said...

A very interesting post :)

Jyotirmoy Sarkar said...

i would love to visit this place, this type of ancient places attracts me a lot. Thanks for sharing with the history and beautiful shots.

Abhijit Ray said...

Title of the post is so enchanting. City of Dead. Nice pictures.

Maniparna said...

Thousands of years ago, this place was inhabited by human beings...this surely gives a thrill! Nice captures and info... :-)

magiceye said...

Interesting.