Lothal ancient Indus valley
civilization. Located in Bhal region of the
modern state of Gujarat and dating from was one
of the most prominent cities of the 2400 BCE, it
was discovered in 1954. Lothal was excavated
from February 13, 1955, to May 19, 1960, by the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Lothal's
dock-the world's earliest known, connected the
city to an ancient course of the Sabarmati river
on the trade route between Harappan cities in
Sindh and the peninsula of Saurashtra when the
surrounding Kutch desert of today was a part of
the Arabian Sea. It was a vital and thriving trade
center in ancient times, with its trade of beads,
gems and valuable ornaments reaching the far
corners of West Asia and Africa.