Lothal
Introduction And History : Lothal is located 80 Kilometers to the south-west of Ahmadabad in Gujarat. A visit to Lothal offers a glimpse into one of the oldest civilizations of the world, The Indus Valley Civilization. Discovered in 1954 and dating from 2400 B.C. It is the first site excavated in India. Lothal means ‘Mound of the Dead’ and it was an important city that served as a trading link between Harappan cities in the north-west and the Saurashtra peninsula. The city’s archaeological prominence is due to a dock-the world’s earliest, built by the Harappans, that was connected to the sea through the Saraswati river and a magnificent warehouse. The people of Lothal were skilled in bead-making and artistry. They carried on flourishing maritime trade(beads and gems, jewels, seals, imported ceramics, terracota models of Mummy and even gorillas, gold beads, seal of Persian origin) with the countries in West Asia and Africa.
What To see : Lothal is the place to visit the vast ruins of the ancient city. The most important being the ancient dockyard, the acropolis, the lower town, the bead factory, the warehouses, and the drainage system.
The archeological museum is another attraction which houses the artifacts excavated here such as mirrors of bronze and copper, perforated and painted potteries, toy bullock carts, beads, jewellery and a variety of objects made from stone, shell, and bone. The museum also displays seals from Bahrain, terracotta figures from Sumeria, and objects from Egypt that was imported by these people. Also on display is a plaster of Paris model of the city based on reconstructions made by archeologists. October to December is the best reason to visit Lothal.
Accomodations : Accommodation is a little problematic in Lothal. There is only one hotel to stay at, The Palace Utelia about 7 Kilometers from Lothal. Even finding tea-stalls is difficult in this lonely place.
Mode Of Transport : Ahmadabad is the nearest Airport, which is well connected with other parts of the country. From there travelers can take train till Burkhi from where a rickshaw can be hired to go to Lothal.
Related links:
• Tourist information: http://www.ahmedabadcity.com/
• Historial information : http://www.harappa.com/
See also (Nearby places):Adalaj Wav, Nal Sarovar Bird sanctuary and zoo.
