Long before the streets of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa bustled with traders, craftsmen, and merchants, another community was quietly shaping the future of South Asia. On the dusty plains near the Bolan Pass in present-day Pakistan lies Mehrgarh, one of the oldest known Neolithic settlements in the Indian subcontinent. Dating back nearly 9,000 years, this remarkable archaeological site preserves the story of some of the region's earliest farmers. Here, people learned to grow crops, rear animals, build permanent homes, and develop technologies that would eventually help pave the way for the Indus Valley Civilisation. Even today, every discovery from Mehrgarh offers a rare glimpse into how ordinary people transformed human history through innovation, adaptation, and perseverance. Its archaeological remains provide crucial evidence for understanding how the transition from hunting and gathering to settled farming communities reshaped life across the ancient world.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
