Sokhta Koh

A similar site at Sutkagen-dor (also spelt Sutkagan Dor) lies about 48 km (30 mi) inland, astride Dasht River, north of Jiwani.

Sokhta Koh is an outcrop of low hillocks in the Shadi Kaur (river) valley, surrounded by jagged, stratified hills north of Pasni.

Another noteworthy point is the lack of visible evidence of walled fortification In the absence of detailed excavation, little can be said with certainty about the architecture and buildings.

However, at several places, erosion by elements reveals remnants of rooms in which stratified rock was used as a base, over which mud or mud-brick walls were raised.

The shreds are of kiln-baked ware that includes jars, plates, pierced colanders, lids with knobs and fine terra cotta bangle-shaped pieces.

In the Indus Valley, sought-after materials included copper, gold, silver, tin, jasper and agate cherts, carnelian, azurite, lapis, fine shell, steatite, antimony, and ivory.

The importance of this specific shell is that Xancus pyrum has a very limited geographic distribution and thus has almost the same significance in the field of shells as that of lapis lazuli in the context of mineral resources (as regards the determination of the possible routes along which a locally unavailable raw material is transported from a well-defined place of origin to the place where it is processed and, as also in the case of Xancus pyrum, consumed).

Perhaps, as these shells crossed so many cultural hands, they were left unfinished in order for the final owner or consumer to work the raw material into a style and usage specific to their region.

Aerial picture of site, un-retouched
Pottery jar excavated from the corner of a room at Sokhta Koh (Pointed bottom outlined)