Lothal is an ancient archaeological site located in Gujarat. It was one of the main cities of the Indus Valley Civilization and dates back to 2400 BC. The archaeological ruins were first discovered in 1954 and excavations started in 1955. Lothal is considered by many as one of the most important archaeological sites of ancient India.

Lothal has a dock and was a centre of trade with other civilizations. Items from Lothal have been found in far-flung places such as West Asia and Africa. Trade items usually consisted of beads, gems and other ornaments.

The word "Lothal" means "mound of the dead" in Gujarati. The other site of the Indus Valley Civilization--Mohenjodaro--also means the same in Sindhi. The presence of ruins in Lothal was known to the local villagers for a long time. However, excavations began very late. After the partition of India, the Archaeological Survey of India undertook a new initiative to discover more site and was successful is discovering as many as 50 sites from 1954-58.

After the fall of the Indus Valley Civilization, Lothal survived for many centuries. However, in the subsequent centuries the site might have been abandoned due to tropical storms and flooding. Studies also indicate that a change in monsoon pattern might have led to aridification forcing the people to migrate to other places.

Lothal was inhabited for a long time before the expansion of the Harappan Civilization. However, it remained a small village with no town planning. The fact that the site was inhabited comes from the discovery of various copper objects, beads and ceramic wares. After the flourishing of Indus Valley Civilization, Harappans came into contact with the local inhabitants of Lothal and might have settled there.

Studies show that a flood destroyed the earlier settlement and then subsequently, the settlement was rebuilt. The new township was planned to be protected from flooding. The town consisted of a citadel (where the ruling class might have lived) and a lower town. During the subsequent years, the lower town expanded.

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