Drains

History and context

In Mohenjo-daro, streets, brick houses and drains form a notable urban ensemble. Many buildings relate to wells and drains that made water a quotidian constructive problem.

The scene does not turn hygiene into an ancient version of the modern city. It teaches domestic infrastructure and maintenance, without supposing that every channel had the same use or access.

Covered channels received water from houses and could be inspected at concrete points. Abundant wells reduced the daily supply distance in several areas.

Fired brick resisted humidity but required fuel and replenishment. The infrastructure reveals recurrent work as much as initial design.

Evidence and interpretation

Documented fact: UNESCO identifies in Mohenjo-daro urban planning, fired brick and drainage systems. Interpretation and caution: One cannot deduce from the drains complete social equality or sanitary practices identical to the present. Expanded documented fact: UNESCO recognises in Mohenjo-daro a planned urbanism with drains and fired brick buildings. Expanded interpretation and caution: The exact use of each conduit is not known, nor whether all quarters received equal service.

Catalogue facts

Narrative date

ca. 2600–1900 BCE

Location

Mohenjo-daro, Sindh, Pakistan

Material

Fired brick, mortar and wells

Context

Urban infrastructure

Curatorial reading

The documented fact and its interpretation appear separately in the evidence block.

Material

Fired brick and mortar

Scale

Domestic networks connected to streets

Documentary coverage

2 museum, heritage, primary corpus or research sources for this stop.

A closer look

About 1 min to read · 1 section. Further reading and sources · free access. Editorial review recorded: September 5, 2026.

Sources and references

• UNESCO — Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro
• British Museum — Indus Valley Civilisation collection scope
• Harappa · Kenoyer, The First Latrines

Expand this information and consult its sources