Sutkagan Dor (or Sutkagen Dor) is the westernmost^[1] known archaeological site of Indus Valley Civilization . It is located about 480 km west of Karachi on Makran coast near the Iran border in Baluchistan in Pakistan. This site is near the western bank of the Dasht and its confluence with a smaller stream, known as the Gajo Kaur. It was a smaller settlement with substantial stone walls and gateways.^[2]

Excavations[edit]

Sutkagan Dor was discovered in 1875 by Major E. Mockler, who conducted a small excavation here.

In 1928, Aurel Stein came here as a part of his Gedrosia tour and conducted a small excavation. During October 1960, Sutkagan Dor was excavated by George F. Dales as a part of his Makran Survey.^[1] Over here a structure was found which was made from stone and mud bricks and was made without straw.

Architecture[edit]

This site measures approximately 4.5 hectares (300 × 150 m).^[1] Along with the usual "citadel" and "lower town",^[3] a massive fortification wall of semi-dressed stones exists. This citadel wall varies in height and thickness due to the irregular contours of the natural rock foundation, but at one point about midway along the eastern wall, it is approximately 7.5 m thick at the base. The inner face of the wall is slightly battered, whereas the outer face has a decided slope, varying from 23° to 40°.

Coastal route[edit]

Though inland at present, this site may have been near navigable water in ancient times and on a trade route between other centers. A coastal route existed linking sites such as Lothal and Dholavira to Sutkagan Dor on the Makran coast.^[4] It isalso suggested that this site must have been an important trading post, connecting seaborn trade from Pursian Gulf/Arabian Sea to hinterland.^[5]

Findings[edit]

Stein recovered 127 flint blades without cores measuring up to 27.5 cms.^[1] Stone vessels, copper arrow heads, stone arrow heads, shell beads, pottery, dish-on-stand etc. were found. A copper-bronze disc probably associated with Bactria-Margiana Archeological complex (BMAC) was also discovered here.^[1]