Mehrgarh, one of South Asia’s oldest and most significant archaeological sites, offers a remarkable window into early human civilization, dating back to around 7000 BC. Located in Balochistan’s Dhadhar district, near the Bolan Pass, this ancient settlement spans several millennia, providing deep insights into the lives, achievements, and eventual decline of one of humanity’s earliest urban communities. Travel & Culture Services offers a unique, full-day excursion from Sukkur to Mehrgarh, complete with a Ministry of Interior NOC, for those wishing to explore this fascinating historical site.

Unearthing Mehrgarh: Findings of a Lost Civilization

Mehrgarh’s discovery in the 1970s by French archaeologists led to astonishing findings that highlight its advanced urban culture. Archaeologists uncovered evidence of organized city planning, agriculture, domesticated animals, and even early dentistry—pottery shards and primitive drill bits suggested residents were drilling and filling cavities thousands of years before similar practices appeared elsewhere.

The excavations revealed distinct periods in Mehrgarh's history:

1. Early Period (7000–5500 BC): The earliest settlers practiced farming and animal husbandry, growing barley and wheat and raising goats and sheep. Remarkably, they developed tools for both agriculture and craft-making.
2. Middle Period (5500–3300 BC): Mehrgarh saw advancements in pottery, architecture, and even jewelry-making. Residents crafted intricate beads from turquoise, lapis lazuli, and carnelian. Complex burial practices, complete with pottery and animal sacrifices, indicate spiritual beliefs and social stratification.
3. Late Period (3300–2600 BC): The site began to transition towards a more complex, densely populated settlement. Evidence suggests the community was highly interconnected with other early civilizations, as trade items like copper and semiprecious stones indicate links with regions like present-day Iran and Afghanistan.

The Decline of Mehrgarh: What Led to its Abandonment?

Mehrgarh’s decline and abandonment around 2600 BC remain a subject of study and debate. However, several theories suggest that a combination of environmental and social factors contributed to its downfall:

• Floods and Environmental Shifts: Changing river patterns and floods likely devastated the fields and irrigation systems crucial to Mehrgarh’s agrarian society. The Bolan River and nearby tributaries may have altered course, leaving the settlement more prone to drought or floods, ultimately forcing inhabitants to relocate to more fertile regions.
• Tribal Conflicts and Wars: As populations grew, competition for land and resources may have spurred conflicts among local tribes. Evidence of migration patterns suggests the possibility of invasions or territorial disputes that destabilized the area and contributed to its decline.
• Shift to the Indus Valley Civilization: Archaeologists also speculate that inhabitants of Mehrgarh may have migrated eastward, eventually becoming part of the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished along the fertile plains of the Indus River. As trade and commerce shifted east, so did the people, contributing to Mehrgarh’s gradual abandonment.

Visit Mehrgarh with Travel & Culture Services

A visit to Mehrgarh offers a rare glimpse into the beginnings of urban culture in South Asia. Travel & Culture Services provides a full-day excursion from Sukkur, with necessary permissions and guidance, offering guests an opportunity to walk through the remains of this extraordinary site and experience one of the earliest cradles of civilization.